The Salvadorian archbishop Oscar Arnulfo Romero
“was a great witness of the faith and of social justice” and the
verification process for the doctrinal “nihil obstat”, or approval, of
his cause for beatification was sped up under Benedict XVI’s
pontificate. The news was revealed by the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Gerhard Ludwig Müller.
As Francis embraces Latin American Catholicism, in Rome, the German bishop and theologian confirms that no more doctrinal obstacles stand in the way of “San Romero de America’s” beatification.
This is the name many faithful have given to him.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith gave the go-ahead for the beatification when Ratzinger was still Pope.
Archbishop Müller’s comments on Francis’ World Youth Day show how in tune he is with the “pastoral conversion” the Pope has been so keen to promote in the Church.
Pope Francis is in Brazil. So many Latin American Catholics are still devoted to Oscar Romero. What is your opinion of the archbishop killed at the altar?
“I see Oscar Arnulfo Romero as a great witness of the faith and a man who was thirsty for social justice. This was clear in his homilies, where he talked about the tragic condition his people lived in at the time. Social order can only be built on the defence and implementation of justice, not on violence and on the survival of the fittest. This is what the Church teaches.
The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution Gaudium et Spes reaffirmed that God created all humans with equal rights and equal opportunities to access natural and cultural resources and those of creation. Archbishop Romero always stressed this in all his speeches.”
And yet his beatification cause seems to have encountered some obstacles. Some needed time. They thought canonizing Romero meant championing liberation Theology.
“The process for the doctrinal “nihil obstat” carried on as normal and sped up significantly during Benedict XVI’s pontificate. It should not be forgotten that during his trip to Brazil in 2007, Ratzinger said very clearly that he thought Romero was worthy of beatification. Now, under Francis’ pontificate, the Congregation for the Causes of Saints is moving the process along even faster.
You are well acquainted with some Latin American ecclesial bodies. What strikes you about Pope Francis’ trip to Brazil?
“The Pope’s trip to Brazil is very important. Pope Francis has the ability to win over young people’s hearts and the feel he understands them, they feel accepted. In him they immediately see a good pastor who offers everyone the gift of the Gospel, a missionary who does not seek to fulfil his own interests and does not ask for brownie points or money. His way of announcing the Good News about Jesus attracts and wins over not just young people but everyone else as well.”
Even non-Catholics?
“Everyone sees in him the joy of announcing the Gospel and of being part of God’s big family as members of the Catholic Church. One discovers once again that the Catholic faith is the most vibrant source which gives life to the humanity of the Brazilian people.
I believe this trip will bring great fruits, also in terms of the number of Christians who will enter back into full communion with the Catholic Church. Christians who were once lured away by separatist sects that were ideologically hostile to Catholicism.”