Bishop Christopher Glancy, CSV, the only Viatorian bishop in Central America, 
represented the Diocese of Belize City and Belmopan, as well as the Viatorian Community, at the Beatification of Archbishop Romero, held May 23 in San Salvador.
He was among six cardinals, more than 100 bishops, and 1,000 priests who joined the crowd of more than 200,000 faithful who participated in this historic event.
“I was honored to be one of the bishops present for the beatification of a man that I had read about since my years at Loyola University in Chicago,” Bishop Glancy said. “His call for peace and justice was legendary.”
Archbishop Oscar Romero
Archbishop Romero was shot March 24, 1980, while celebrating Mass at a hospital chapel in San Salvador. Just one day earlier, he had spoken out about the repression in the country and about the abuse of civilians by the military.
“The Church in Central America was certainly of one heart when it gathered for the beatification of its first martyr,” Bishop Glancy said. “We were all there to remember the man who had given his life to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the congregation for the causes of saints, presided over the beatification Mass, which is one step away from
sainthood.
“Romero’s spirit remains alive,” Cardinal Amato said, “and gives comfort to the marginalized people of the world.”
Cardinal Amato read the decree of beatification in Latin, and after it was repeated in Spanish, a rainbow halo surrounded the sun.
“It was a rare event,” said Bishop Glancy, who was an eyewitness to the apparition. “Many saw it as another sign of God’s blessing of this beatification.”
Now known as Martyr Blessed Oscar Romero, Bishop Glancy believes the universal
Scouts line the processional route
church and the local church in El Salvador is calling for the faithful to follow his example.
“We are called to be women and men of profound prayer,” Bishop Glancy says. “We are called to be aware of what is happening in our societies especially with the poor. We are called to act for the good of those in greatest need.”