The Tablet
Pope Francis’ words (on the plane home from Korea) in regard to Oscar Romero’s beatification have brought great joy here in El Salvador and indeed around the world.
But the first media reports have been somewhat misleading. It is important to read what Pope Francis actually said:
“The process was blocked in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith “for reasons of prudence,” it was said.
Now it is unblocked and it is in the Congregation for Saints and follows the normal path of a process. It depends on how the postulators move; it’s very important to move in haste.
What I would like is to have clarified when there is martyrdom in “odium fidei” [out of hate for the faith], whether it is for confessing the credo or for performing the works that Jesus commands us to do for our neighbour. This is a work of theologians that is being studied. Because behind him [Romero], there is Rutilio Grande and there are others. There are others that were also killed but are not at the same height as Romero. This has to be distinguished theologically.
For me, Romero is a man of God. He was a man of God but there has to be the process, and the Lord will have to give his sign [of approval]. But if He wishes, He will do so! The postulators must move now because there are no impediments.”