- We have never preached violence, except the violence of love, which left Christ nailed to a cross, the violence that we must each do to ourselves to overcome our selfishness and such cruel inequalities among us.
- The church must suffer for speaking the truth, for pointing out sin, for uprooting sin. No one wants to have a sore spot touched, and therefore a society with so many sores twitches when someone has the courage to touch it and say: ‘You suffer. This is the reality that I see.’
- Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. Peace is right and it is duty.
- When the church hears the cry of the oppressed, it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which the cry arises.
- I do not believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will arise in the Salvadoran people.
- Let us not tire of preaching love; it is the force that will overcome the world.
- A church that does not provoke any crisis, preach a gospel that does not unsettle, proclaim a word of God that does not get under anyone’s skin or a word of God that does not touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed: what kind of gospel is that?
- The church is not a museum for good people, but a hospital for the broken.
- If they kill me, I shall rise again in the Salvadoran people.
- If they kill me, I will rise again in the people of El Salvador.”
- Be incarnated in the suffering of the people.
Best Oscar Romero Sayings
- A church that does not unite itself with the poor to be… an effective instrument of change wounds itself, contradicts itself; ineffectively proclaims its message.
- A church that doesn’t provoke any crises, a gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn’t touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed—what kind of gospel is that?
- We must be capable of responding to our brothers and sisters, regardless of whether they have a love for or a hatred of the church.
- God’s reign begins on earth when people begin to understand that it is more important to love than to be loved, to give than to receive, to serve than to be served.
- It is my life’s commitment to end poverty.
- I must tell you, as a Christian, I do not believe in a history marked by chance or by the intelligent, creative action of some human being, but in a history directed by God and in a living God, who reveals himself to us through Christ.
- The arms race can kill, but the poverty and injustices of peace kill too.
- The church would betray its own love for God and its fidelity to the gospel if it stopped being. . . a defender of the rights of the poor.
- I am not an angel; I assert that the Gospel in El Salvador has been understood and applied according to the social reality of my country.
- Aspire not to have more, but to be more.
- We believe in a history directed by God and in a living God, who reveals himself to us through Christ.
Archbishop Oscar Romero Sayings
- The violence we preach is not the violence of the sword, the violence of hatred. It is the violence of love, of brotherhood, the violence that wills to beat weapons into sickles for work.
- Each one of you has to be God’s microphone. Each one of you has to be a messenger, a prophet. The church will always exist as long as there is someone who has been baptized… Where is your baptism? You are baptized in your professions, in the fields of workers, in the market. Wherever there is someone who has been baptized, that is where the church is.
- A gospel that doesn’t take into account the rights of human beings, a gospel that doesn’t disturb, a gospel that doesn’t touch the real sin of society around it, isn’t the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- The shepherd must be where the suffering is.
- We should not be shedding tears, except in prayer, for those who have died in struggle and for our own sins which lead us to self-sufficient solutions.
- No one can feel as the owner of his own history or fully responsible for history that is not yet fully his own; it is hard to care for what is not our own.
- There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.
- The great liberation lessons of the prophets, our commitment to life and justice, are translated today into conversion to the God of Life, who always hears the cry of His people.
- To those who are saying God does not exist, I would say: ‘God must exist. It is not possible for men and women to be human beings without being inhabited by the Spirit of God.’
- God’s reign begins on earth when people begin to understand that it is more important to love than to be loved, to give than to receive, to serve than to be served.”
- My conscience tells me to preach the truth.
Inspiration Oscar Romero Quotes
- We would like the Constitution to be respected; but to the extent that the rights of the working class are abused and the class is ignored… we cannot fail to voice our protest against the present situation.
- A faith that doesn’t challenge injustice, a faith that doesn’t inspire us to work for justice, a faith that doesn’t move us to combat poverty and hunger, isn’t a real faith, it’s a faith that dies.
- When the church hears the cry of the oppressed, it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which the cry arises.
- Only worship is worship, when it absorbs the realities of people, cries, and joy.
- You can tell the people that if they succeed in killing me, that I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realize they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the church of God, which is the people, will never perish.
- You may say that I am a dreamer. But I say that I am a believer.
- Our mission is to pull the people out of the mud.
- Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all.
- If they kill me, I shall arise in the Salvadoran people.
- The ones who have a voice must speak for those who are voiceless.
- There is no dichotomy between man and God’s image. Whoever tortures a human being, whoever abuses a human being, whoever outrages a human being, abuses God’s image.
- I have frequently been threatened with death. I must say that, as a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If I am killed, I shall rise in the Salvadoran people.
FAQ Oscar Romero Sayings
What did Pope Francis say about the moment in which we understand the law of God?
In a profound reflection, Pope Francis explained that it is a pivotal moment in which we understand the law of God, as it shapes our perspective and guides our actions towards living a life aligned with divine principles.
How does the church view its role in society, particularly when faced with challenges, according to Pope Francis?
Pope Francis has emphasized that the church cannot remain silent in the face of injustice and must act as an instrument of God, advocating for those in need and addressing societal issues courageously.
Can you explain the significance of declaring Romero a martyr by the church?
By declaring Romero a martyr, the church recognized his ultimate sacrifice in the face of persecution, affirming his steadfast faith and commitment to defending the rights and dignity of the people of El Salvador.
What stance did Archbishop Romero take regarding the obedience of soldiers to commands that were morally questionable?
Archbishop Romero asserted that a soldier is obliged to obey an order only when it is just and in alignment with moral principles, highlighting the ethical responsibility to refuse commands that perpetrate harm or injustice.
In what context did Pope Francis discuss the idea of a pilgrim church?
Pope Francis discussed the concept of a pilgrim church to describe a community of believers who are constantly in motion, seeking to spread the message of faith and love, while being open to change and growth.
What are the implications of the wheat that dies metaphor used by Pope Francis?
The metaphor of the wheat that dies used by Pope Francis symbolizes sacrifice and renewal, suggesting that personal sacrifices are necessary for new growth and collective renewal in the spirit of Christian faith.
How did Pope Francis articulate the need for the church’s involvement with the people of El Salvador following Romero’s assassination?
Following Romero’s assassination, Pope Francis emphasized the church’s duty to echo the cries of the suffering people of El Salvador and to work tirelessly to stop the repression and bring about justice and healing.
What does Pope Francis mean when he says that God wants to save us?
Pope Francis teaches that God wants to save us, expressing a divine desire for all humanity to experience salvation and spiritual freedom, emphasizing the boundless and inclusive nature of God’s mercy.
How does the church aim to maintain its integrity in the face of potential scandals or criticisms?
The church aims to maintain a posture of humility and transparency, acknowledging that it is subject to misunderstanding. This approach helps the church that walks serene, fostering trust and understanding among its followers.
Pope Francis often highlights that, in the name of God, Christians should not simply want to be spectators but active participants in creating a more just and compassionate society, embodying one social responsibility towards all.
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