Biographies of the Heroes:

Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez

All text and images are 2007 Christopher Sunami.
(Illustrations by Michael Krone)
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Óscar Romero was born August 15, 1917, in Ciudad Barrios, San Miguel, El Salvador. He was originally considered a conservative and apolitical religious leader. Shortly after he was confirmed as the Catholic Archbishop of San Salvador, his friend Father Rutilio Grande was assassinated, presumably on orders from the Salvadoran government. The subsequent refusal of the government to investigate the death awakened Romero to the reality of brutality and corruption among members of the military oligarchy ruling the country. For the next three years he was an outspoken advocate of freedom and justice, until his own assassination, March 24, 1980 in San Salvador, El Salvador. Although many criticized his politicized religious beliefs, there were just as many who celebrated his advocacy of "liberation theology." He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Notable Attributes:

Courage, Activism, Integrity, Commitment, Oratory

Principles:

Put Faith Above “Religion”
Stand Up for What You Believe
Love Generously
Refuse Your Adversaries’ Gifts
Reframe the Conflict
Forgive Your Enemies