'If Oscar Romero were alive today, he would be using social media'

Fr Joe Ryan, Canon Edward Perera, Fr David Standley, Archbishop Peter Smith, Bishop John Rawsthorne, Canon John O'Toole, Fr Francis Agbeboaye, Canon Richard Hearne

A special Mass was celebrated at St George's Cathedral, Southwark on Saturday, 24 March, the Feast of Blessed Oscar Romero. Archbishop Peter Smith was the chief celebrant. Bishop John Rawsthorne gave the homily.

At the beginning of the Mass, Archbishop Peter mentioned that St George's Cathedral was granted a special Indult in 2016, to have an annual Mass on the anniversary of Bl Oscar Romero's martyrdom. He added that it has been announced that Bl Oscar Romero will be declared a saint. No date for the canonisation has been chosen yet, but it is likely that it will decided at the next consistory of cardinals.

During his homily, Bishop John Rawsthorne reflected on the great contribution the martyrs have made to our Church. No one seeks to be a martyr, he said. Archbishop Romero was afraid of violence, Even the sound of fruit dropping on the roof of the building where he lived made him jump - yet in spite of the danger - he continued to do all he could to defend the poor people of El Salvador, struggling under a brutal repressive regime. Week after week he spoke out against the government's actions, in sermons which were broadcast across the country. "If he lived today, he would be using social media" Bishop John said.

On Saturday afternoon, a week of events celebrating Bl Oscar Romero concluded with Evensong at Westminster Abbey. The service included a performance of the motet, 'A Special Appeal', written to celebrate Romero's centenary by Sir James MacMillan. To hear the piece visit: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05ky67s

For more information about Bl Oscar Romero and the week's events, see: www.romerotrust.org.uk