COFOA lives the legacy of Bishop Romero

Oscar Romero will become the first Salvadoran saint when he is canonized on October 14. He was gunned down while saying Mass on March 24, 1980, after saying “one must not love oneself so much as to avoid getting involved in the risks of life that history demands of us, and those who fend off danger will lose their lives.”

One of Bishop Romero’s early followers, Fr. Octavio Cruz, sees COFOA as an organization carrying out Bishop Romero’s legacy. “COFOA is doing exactly what we need to form a new generation of clergy who understand social ministry,” says Fr. Cruz. He has asked COFOA staff to assist in training the clergy and lay leadership from the San Salvador Diocese in the skills of community organizing. This creates an opportunity to expand COFOA’s work and build the power necessary to address water and other national issues.

We join the millions of Salvadorans who will celebrate the life of Oscar Romero. We pray we may be ministers living the legacy of Bishop Romero.

“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. It is right and it is duty.” -Archbishop Oscar Romero