Shawn Moore

Jr. Morality

5/1/07

Romero

The movie Romero takes place in El Salvador, where Oscar Romero has been appointed Archbishop. The poor in El Salvador were being oppressed by the government. Romero was quiet about what was going on in El Salvador in the beginning of the movie. He did not speak out against what was going on. His friend, Father Grande, protested against the persecution of the poor. One day while Father Grande was riding to town, he was shot by one of the military personnel. The death of Father Grande was the turning point in Romero’s life as he began to speak out against what was going on in El Salvador. Romero was so upset about the death of Father Grande, that he decided something needs to be done in El Salvador. He began to speak up against the soldiers who were killing innocent people. He was arrested for trying to help protect against people who was being persecuted. He was almost killed by officers who were trying to shut down the churches because he continued on with the mass despite the danger he was facing. When the officers shot at him, he began to pray and they withheld their weapons and allowed the service to continue. Romero continued to preach against the military use of terror and protested what was going on, even though he was considered to be disloyal to the government. He was later assassinated for his speaking out against what was going on in El Salvador. His faith was spread though many of his followers who continued to carry on Romero’s Vision.

Romero shows courage to stand up for what he believes in, regardless of how he was being treated. Romero started out being in favor with the rich people of El Salvador, but later as he begins to reach out to the poor they begin to reject him. At first Romero was quiet about the Issues of the poor in El Salvador, but he had a change of heart and gained courage to speak out against what he believed was wrong. He was arrested and shot at for what he said, but he continued to show faith and endure hard times to help end the oppression of the poor. Romero showed that when there is wrong being done to other people you can’t remain silent about it. He saw that as he was not doing anything about the situation in El Salvador, it was as if he was siding with those who are doing the killing. He preached that it was wrong to take away others life. He talked about how you are not required to carry out an order that would be a sin against God’s law. He is an example of someone who, in a nonviolent way, fought for the defenseless. He shows how you fight for what you believe is right no matter what the circumstances. Through his efforts to help the people of El Salvador, he was killed but his voice alive through the people that followed him.