Washington, DC – July 16, 2025 |
The Council of the District of Columbia has officially declared August 15 as Saint Romero Day, honoring the spiritual legacy of Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero. We thank Councilmember Brianne Nadeau for championing this resolution and recognizing the ongoing impact of Saint Romero’s life on the District’s Latino community.
Born on August 15, 1917, in Ciudad Barrios, El Salvador, Saint Romero rose to prominence during one of his country’s darkest periods—the civil conflict that gripped El Salvador in the 1980s. As Archbishop of San Salvador, he became a powerful moral voice, denouncing violence and advocating for peace, even when it put his life at risk.
The Salvadoran population is the largest Latino community in Washington, DC with many families tracing their roots to the same region as Saint Romero. Thousands of Salvadorans fled violence in the late 1970s through early 1990s and found refuge in the District. Through his sermons and public statements, he championed the rights of the poor and oppressed, earning the title “Voice of the Voiceless.” In his weekly radio homilies, he exposed grave human rights violations and called on all people of conscience to defend the dignity of the marginalized.
His advocacy for peace and justice led members of the U.S. Congress and the British Parliament to nominate him for the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize. On March 24, 1980, Saint Romero was assassinated while celebrating Mass, one day after urging soldiers to disobey unjust orders and cease the killing of civilians. The Catholic Church beatified Saint Romero in 2015 and canonized him as a saint in 2018, affirming his lasting legacy as a symbol of courage and compassion.
Saint Romero remains an enduring icon of justice and hope, particularly for those affected by the civil war in El Salvador. His legacy continues to inspire the District’s Latino residents, alongside civic, faith-based, and youth organizations who uphold his belief in justice and peace.