UN Recognizes Romero

The United Nations General Assembly recently recognized Monsignor Oscar Romero by declaring March 24th as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.  From the UN General Assembly

The Committee took action on a draft resolution entitled Proclamation of 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims (document A/C.3/65/L.59), which was introduced by the representative of El Salvador.

Recognizing the importance of promoting the memory of victims of gross and systematic human rights violations and the importance of the right to truth and justice, the General Assembly would, by the terms of the draft, proclaim 24 March as the International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.

It would also ask Member States, organizations of the United Nations system and others to observe the International Day in an appropriate manner. The draft would recognize, in particular, the work of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, of El Salvador, who was actively engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights in his country.

The representative of El Salvador asked for the Committee to adopt the resolution without vote and by consensus. He added that he had been informed that Paraguay wished to be a co-sponsor.

The Chair of the Committee then, approved the resolution without a vote.

The resolution co-sponsored by 45 countries, including Argentina, Austria, Bolivia, Cuba, Denmark, Finland, France, Guatemala, Hungary, Nicaragua, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico.

And if you are looking for a Christmas gift, Damian Zynda has a book on Romero recently published by the University of Scranton Press.  Damian is a faculty member of the Christian Spirituality Program at Creighton University.  The book is entitled Archbishop Oscar Romero: A Disciple Who Revealed the Glory of God.  Here's the book's description from Amazon.

During his lifetime, Archbishop Oscar Romero chose to live the Christian Gospel in a radical way, defending, supporting, and serving the poor, and confronting the oppressive and murderous violence of the Salvadoran dictatorship. As a result, in March 1980, while celebrating Mass in a small chapel in El Salvador, he was assassinated.

With Archbishop Oscar Romero, Damian Zynda offers a compelling examination of the bishop’s eventful life. Zynda delves into the psychological and spiritual depths of Romero’s faith, tracing its progression from age thirteen up to the episcopacy and his prophetic stand against the government.

I have not yet read the book but I enjoyed Damian's talk at the University of Scranton last month.