Oscar Romero: Prophet of Hope

by Roberto Morozzo della Rocca

Oscar Prophet of Hope is a comprehensive account of the martyred Archbishop of San Salvador's incredible journey of holiness and courageous witness in the face of cruel state oppression. Historian Roberto Morozzo Della Rocca draws directly on previously unpublished documents - some of which were used as evidence in the process leading to Romero's beatification in 2015 - to write the most authoritative biography of Romero to date. Morozzo tells the complete story of Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdamez, from his humble roots in Ciudad Barros, El Salvador, to his ordination in Rome and his eventual appointment as Archbishop of San Salvador. It weaves a sensitive account of Romero's character - both public and private - with a mature appraisal of his theology and unfailing commitment to the poor, marginalised and persecuted of Latin America. The final chapter describes Romero's movements and words during the final months, weeks and days that led to his martyrdom - assassinated while celebrating Mass the day after publicly appealing to soldiers of El Salvador's Revolutionary Government to refuse their orders to kill.

Genres: Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 18, 2015

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have encountered Oscar Romero in a number of university courses. There are some who hold him up as a patron of liberation theology. There were other that considered him too close to the government. But in reality neither extreme could really claim him as their own; for in fact first and foremost he was a follower of Christ, and tried to be faithful to that above all else. This book written by Roberto Morozzo della Rocca, and translated by Michael J. Miller, was extensively researched. The controversies examined from a number of angles, and the Bishop, the man separated from myth, legends and those who would use his legacy for their own purposes. From what I can tell this is the only book by Roberto that has been translated into English, and to be honest it is a very important volume. It is important for the cause of canonization of Oscar Romero. In fact I have read that this book forms the backbone of the cause of canonization and one of the primary reasons that pope Francis decided to beatify Romero in 2015.

The sections in this book are:

Foreword
Preface
Chapter One
The First Fifty Years (1917-1967)
From Ciudad Barrios to Rome
Priest in San Miguel
A Fighting Man
Romero and the Second Vatican Council
Chapter Two
"El obispo que van a tener es pastor"
In the Capital
An Auxiliary Bishop with His Own Ideas
To Santiago de María
Primate of a Nation in Crisis
Chapter Three
Archbishop of San Salvador
First Days and the Death of Rutilio Grande
The Clash with the Government
The Misa Única
Conversion?
Persecution of the Church and Social Injustice
The Question of Violence
Chapter Four
Faith and Politics
The Clergy and Faithful of San Salvador
Hope as Ideology
"Boundlessly Political," in Spite of Himself
Chapter Five
"Sentir con la Iglesia"
The Bishop of the Poor
The Preacher
Romero in Private
With Journalists
A Man Much in Demand
Romero and Liberation Theology
Chapter Six
Romero and Rome
Ecclesiastical Jealousies
"Courage, You Are in Charge!"
Clarifications at the Vatican
The Apostolic Visitation
Romero and John Paul II
"A Pastor's Greatest Glory"
Chapter Seven
Romero's Final Days
Romero and the Revolutionary Government
Toward Civil War
Romero's Lent
Death
Conclusion
For Further Reading
About the Author

In the forward Hosffman Ospino states: "It is fascinating to observe how Romero's actions and words have inspired numerous interpretations about the life of this Latin American archbishop, his convictions, commitments, and even his influences. Some of those interpretations, in fact, seem to have gotten in the way of officially advancing Romero's canonization process for several years. Yet we seem to be beyond that impasse. This is where the work of historians and researchers helping us to understand Romero as a man in his time, living in a particular context, is more than welcomed. Comprehensive biographies of Romero, like this one written by Professor Morozzo della Rocca, and current efforts to organize and disseminate Romero's writings are gifts to the ecclesial community." And that is what this book attempts, and I believe, is to separate the truth from the myth, the wheat from the chaff, the reality from the legends. And in so doing presents a man who truly can be an inspiration in our own lives and as an example for us for how to interact with the world.

Then in the preface Andrea Riccardi begins with these statement: "This book by Roberto Morozzo della Rocca is important because of its subject matter: the life of Monseñor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador in Central America. While he was celebrating Mass on March 24, 1980, he was killed by death squads connected with the right-wing Salvadoran regime. He was sixty-two years old. The book is also important because its author is a historian recognized as an authority for his great insight and seriousness. Roberto Morozzo della Rocca's historical research on Archbishop Romero (in this and other writings) allowed him to reconstruct the true image of the assassinated prelate. This image had either been covered by many layers of polemics and ideologies, or it had been turned into a partisan banner. We must remember the decisive contribution that the author's research has made toward the reconstruction of the historical truth about Romero and toward the slow, laborious clarification of his process of beatification, which reached a positive conclusion only with the pontificate of Pope Francis. Morozzo della Rocca's study was important for Romero's cause of beatification, in which it was essential to elucidate the richness and complexity of his character as a Latin American Christian and a Catholic bishop." He also states: "Reading this book puts us in contact with one of the compelling sagas of the Church of the twentieth century. This story shows how a marvelous Christian achievement could come about in a small country, El Salvador, which was then unknown to most people. The story also reveals the secret but real face of a popular Catholicism of the "poor people" that is strong and resilient, and makes the reader more able to understand the national situation in which many political forces fought each other and dominated the life of El Salvador."

So that is what we get in this book, a history, a history researched and written with the truth being the central focus. A history not swayed by ideologies, not influenced by a white washing of history. There are parts of this book that are very raw. There are also many parts of this book that are incredibly encouraging and uplifting. Oscar Romero was a man who knew his time on earth was limited, "At the end of 1979 Romero no longer thought that the threats were rumors. He knew that he could die at any moment and wondered whether the right or the left would kill him." Early in 1980 Romero wrote in his journal while on retreat: "In this way I, too, place under his loving providence all my life, and I accept my death, no matter how difficult it may be, with faith in him. I will not offer a prayer intention, as I would like to, for peace in my country or for the flourishing of our Church . . . because the Heart of Christ will know best how to work things to the destiny he desires. It is enough for me to be happy and confident, knowing with certainty that my life and my death are in his hands and that, despite my sins, I have put my trust in him and I will not be disappointed. Others, with more wisdom and holiness, will carry on the works of the Church and of the nation." He even said to the US Ambassador that his prayer was when he will killed that there would not be many caught in the incident.

This book is about a man who lived to server God. But in doing so by his conscience he created many enemies. He lived for the faith and he died for the faith. And in some circles he still raises as much controversy in death and beatification as he did in his life. But if you read this book I am sure you will agree with the process going forward to have him named a saint.

This is a powerful read, it is deep and moving. It will have an impact on your heart, your prayer life and how you see the world around you. Read it and separate reality from myths about this man, his faith and his work. I am sure you will be encouraged and likely challenged.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2017 Catholic Reading Plan!

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

Monseñor Romero was a complex person who, even as a young priest, had a deep concern for the poor. But throughout his life this concern was transformed, responding to the situations he faced.

This book does highlight Romero's concern for the poor, even in terms of injustices against the, from his earliest years as a priest. But it does this in a way that seems to flatten out Romero and smooth over his radical positions.

The book rightly warns against the treatment of Romero as a leftist hero and martyr, but it does this by castigating those whom the author sees as a bit too leftist. Particular targets are Medellinist priests (whoever they are), liberation theology (including a blast at Jon Sobrino), the Jesuits (even though a Spanish translation is published by the Jesuit university in El Salvador), and progressive priests in El Salvador in the 1970s (especially the group called La Nacional). In most cases, though, he makes random critical remarks without giving names.

The author even castigates the Medellin conference of the Latin American bishops:“The conference had been held in the revolutionary atmosphere of 1968, and many of the bishops were unaware that its theology had yielded somewhat to the social and political sciences.”

I felt that the author really didn't understand the political and religious atmosphere of El Salvador and Latin America in the 1970s. In a few places he makes egregious errors: he calls ORDEN a private militia, but ORDEN was a paramilitary association founded by Salvadoran military.

The translation is questionable in a few places. In a footnote Romero is identified as someone's godfather which the translator says is "compadre" in Spanish. The correct word is "padrino."
The translation in one place seems to be ideologically slanted. Where the Spanish reads "cristianos organizados ", the book reads"organizados" in italics, untranslated.

I also found it strange that the author refers to persons and even quotes them without identifying them or identifying them correctly. Monseñor Arturo Rivera Damas is never mentioned with his first name. Dom Helder Camara, a famous Brazilian bishop, is cited as Camara. If I didn't know better, I'd be completely confused.

There are a few places where the author tries to make a point but the following quote, meant as an indication of the point, does not seem to make this point clearly. This leads me to concerns about the book as a whole.

I wish I could say I liked the book, but I can not. I did learn some things about Romero, but on the whole I found the book inadequate and slanted.

In place of this, I would start by reading James Brockman's ROMERO: A LIFE. It's a little dated but it gives a much broader view of Romero.

Last of all, at least in this edition and in the Spanish edition, there are no footnotes to the quotes. It is thus harder to check the context and the dates of the citations.

[Serge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using thi sbook to help students understand the rle of the Church in Latin America during the death throes of Cold War proxy conflict

[MargCal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading … Oscar Romero: prophet of hope / Roberto Morozzo Della Rocca ; trans. Michael J. Miller … 15 June 2016
ISBN: 9780232532012

Romero has been a hero of mine since I read of him portrayed as someone who underwent what might be called a conversion experience to defend the downtrodden in El Salvador. However, this book shatters that perception.
But a different sort of hero emerges, one even more admirable it might be argued. Not that we are presented with a perfect human being. There are a few warts there too!

In this book, Romero is portrayed as a conservative, of the better kind, who stood steadfast. He was always guided by the gospel and the social justice teachings of the Catholic Church, particularly around issues of justice and respect for the human person.

Two things changed for Romero: he rose through church ranks to become archbishop of San Salvador and at the same time El Salvador sank deeper and deeper into division, chaos and civil war. In that political milieu he kept talking to all sides, trying to persuade everyone to do what was right in order to respect all people. He was not political but his preaching and talking had political ramifications. Extremists on Left and Right hated him and he had little or no support from the bishops of El Salvador.
In the end he was assassinated by the military/oligarchs/money of the Right, shot while saying Mass.

There is a brief explanation at the end of the book that he was not canonised as a martyr because, as Benedict XVI explained it, the Church was afraid of how his image might be used for political purposes. Shameful!
Since then Romero has been beatified by Pope Francis.
Meanwhile, back in 1998 the Church of England recognised him when Romero was included as one of the ten 20th-century martyrs depicted in statues above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey.

Highly recommended as an example of the good that Church men can do if they have faith and courage and no desire for personal power and aggrandisement. Far too few of them in the ranks of the bishops.