Abbey service for St Oscar Romero

In 1980 Oscar Romero was Archbishop of San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, the smallest and the most densely populated country in Central America. Week by week from the pulpit he confronted the human rights violations, the political violence, and the corrupt system of justice of the country's governing military regime.

His protests became too much for the generals and on 24th March 1980 he was shot dead by an assassin as he celebrated Mass.

A month ago, on 14th October 2018, at a ceremony in St Peter’s Square in Rome, he was canonised as St Oscar Arnulfo Romero. His statue, which stands over the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey, was unveiled during the 1998 Lambeth Conference, one of ten 20th century martyrs honoured in this way.

The Abbey’s service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who gave the sermon.

Jenny Bond, of Churches Together in England, read from a sermon preached by St Oscar Romero in April 1978.

The Reverend Jane Sinclair, Canon-in-Residence, read Micah 6: 6-8.

Christine Allen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Christian Aid, read Colossians 3: 12-17.

Prayers were led by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Sacrist.

The service was sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey conducted by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist. The organ was played by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist, and before the service by Alexander Hamilton, Organ Scholar.

Order of Service for Solemn Evensong of Thanksgiving for the Canonisation of St Oscar Romero (PDF, 489KB)

Sermon given at Thanksgiving for the Canonisation of St Oscar Romero Westminster Abbey