Voice of the Voiceless: The Four Pastoral Letters and Other Statements

by Oscar A. Romero, Michael J. Walsh (Translator), Jon Sobrino (Introduction)

Like the prophets and like Jesus, Romero spoke the truth and paid the price. Like Jesus, he testified to the validity of his words by the quality of his deeds, and his testimony in word and deed was faithful until the moment when he offered his life for his people. Because the Archbishop's testimony was so evidently that of the just man of whom the Book of Wisdom speaks, because he was so clearly in the tradition of Jeremiah and Jesus, his words demand our the words he spoke to his countrymen and the words he spoke to us as American citizens. In the complex, tragic, and violent struggle for justice in El Salvador, the Archbishop exemplified what the Latin American bishops at Puebla called a preferential option for the poor. As a pastor he spoke the truth to all in his society, but he spoke with and for the poor...The assassin's bullet will not silence the power of his words, or his witness.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Spirituality

202 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez (15 August 1917 – 24 March 1980) was a prelate of the Catholic Church in El Salvador, who served as the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador. He spoke out against poverty, social injustice, assassinations and torture. In 1980, Romero was assassinated while offering Mass in the chapel of the Hospital of Divine Providence.

Pope Francis stated during Romero's beatification that "His ministry was distinguished by a particular attention to the most poor and marginalized." Hailed as a hero by supporters of liberation theology inspired by his work, Romero, according to his biographer, "was not interested in liberation theology", but faithfully adhered to Catholic teachings on liberation, desiring a social revolution based on supernatural interior reform. His spiritual life drew much from the spirituality of Opus Dei

In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 March as the "International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims" in recognition of the role of Archbishop Romero in defence of human rights. Romero actively denounced violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable people and defended the principles of protecting lives, promoting human dignity and opposition to all forms of violence.

In 1997, Pope John Paul II bestowed upon Romero the title of Servant of God, and a cause for beatification and canonization was opened for him. The cause stalled, but was reopened by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. He was declared a martyr by Pope Francis on 3 February 2015, paving the way for his beatification, which took place on 23 May 2015.

As the canonization process continues, Latin American church groups imbued in pastoral care proclaim Romero an unofficial patron saint of the Americas and/or El Salvador; Catholics in El Salvador often refer to him as "San Romero". Even outside of Catholicism, Romero is honored by other Christian denominations, including Church of England and Anglican Communion through the Calendar in Common Worship, as well as in at least one Lutheran liturgical calendar. Archbishop Romero is also one of the ten 20th-century martyrs depicted in statues above the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey in London. In 2008, Europe-based magazine A Different View included Romero among its 15 Champions of World Democracy.

Reviews

[JD Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oscar Romero’s faith led him directly to action, advocacy, and death. Reading his process of transformation was sobering and good.

[Carmen Hartono · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Voice of the Voiceless’ features the Four Pastoral Letters given by Oscar Romero during his three-year service as the Archbishop of El Salvador, a small Central American nation named after the Savior of the world.

I first read this book in the 1980’s during the civil war in El Salvador to get a better understanding of the political and religious situation in my homeland. As a Roman Catholic, I was thrilled to reread this book thirty years later to only savor it from a theological perspective. Thirty years later I am still deeply affected by this holy man who gave his life for the people of El Salvador.

Beginning with his introductory Pastoral Letter on Easter Sunday, 1977, Romero’s understanding of the dignity of the human being is prophetic. His Second Letter celebrates the nation’s namesake on the Feast of the Transfiguration. He states that the Church of Our Savior is the Body of Christ within the history of transcendence and transformation to bring forth the kingdom of God. Constantly naming Vatican II and other documents, he sees Christ in every human being, especially the poor.

He sees the death of Pope Paul VI on the following titular feast (August 6, 1978) as another call for pastoral leadership for the transfiguration of humanity. In his Fourth Letter dated again on August 6, 1979, he reiterates the call for the Easter Church to liberate the human being from being used for commercial and political purposes. He echoes the then new Pope John Paul II’s call for evangelization through the truth about Christ, his Church, and humankind within the kingdom of God.

The book begins with introductory essays by Jon Sobrino and Ignacio Martin-Baró (both belong to the Society of Jesus), and ends with other statements by Romero, including his last homily being said when he was killed. His last words were about the holy mass he was about to celebrate:

“May this body immolated and this blood sacrificed for humans nourish us also, so that we may give our body and our blood to suffering and to pain—like Christ, not for self, but to bring about justice and peace for our people.”

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romero's spiritual embrace of the reality that he faced in El Salvador in the late 1970s is clearly evident in each of the documents contained in this book. It's relevance to the socio-political unrest and challenges facing both the Church and people of Latin America in the late 20th century is certain, but Romero's thoughtful and (usually) balanced approach, somehow managing to embrace Liberation Theology without becoming a Marxist - and remain faithful to the Catholic Church while simultaneously unleashing a torrent of valid criticism, is a striking example of adhering to a moral and ethical foundation in the face of persecution, criticism, and eventual martyrdom - that could be a useful guide for those trying to determine how to appropriately and effectively deal with the challenges facing the world (and the West) in the early 20th century.

[enlam]

I was looking for a little hope to be found in the dark (timestamp: early 2025, America, ICE raids, Palestinian genocide, bombing of Iran, Christian nationalism, Big Ugly Bill, LA protest police violence, to name a few. Watching war crime upon war crime unfold), and this book delivered. Romero is such an important voice for Christian love and presence IN the world that we live in. While I struggle deeply with the concept of institutionalized religion, and thus with some of Romero's points on it, I can absolutely say that unless religion leads us to action like Romero's, that religion is directly harming society. And it is ABSOLUTELY not Christian.

Faith, with action, like Romero's, is the only way I can believe your Bible.

[Marlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to read books on archbishop romero. For me he is a guide formy future....

[Marla · Rating 5 out of 5]

these letters are the very words that caused the salvadoran government to execute archbishop romero. he spoke out on poverty and injustice every day of his life. he did not mince words. very powerful testament to the bravery and search for justice of a humble priest.