Report: Salvador's Romero Closer to Beatification as Martyr [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Report: Salvador's Romero Closer to Beatification as Martyr
VATICAN CITY — Jan 9, 2015, 1:45 PM ET
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

Slain Salvadoran archbishop Oscar Romero has moved one step closer to beatification.

Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference, reported Friday that a committee of theologians had confirmed that Romero died as a martyr. The designation means he can be beatified without having a miracle attributed to his intercession. A miracle is needed, however, for him to be made a saint.

Romero was gunned down by a right-wing death squad in 1980 while celebrating Mass. He had spoken out against repression by the Salvadoran army at the beginning of the country's 1980-1992 civil war between the right-wing government and leftist rebels.

A commission of cardinals and bishops must now sign off on the martyrdom designation and pass it on to Pope Francis for final approval. If approved, the long-awaited beatification could take place this year.

~ snip ~

Romero's saint-making case had been stalled in the Vatican for years because of his support for liberation theology. It has charged ahead under the first Latin American pope.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/report-salvadors-romero-closer-beatification-martyr-28114823