The Archdiocese of Southwark has announced it is to celebrate an annual liturgy in commemoration of Blessed Oscar Romero, the martyred Archbishop of San Salvador.
A “liturgical commemoration” has been added to the diocesan calendar on 24 March, the anniversary of his martyrdom. It will be celebrated annually in St George’s Cathedral, Southwark, south London. The indult – a licence that authorises an act not sanctioned by the common law of the Church – was granted by the Congregation for Divine Worship.
Liturgical celebrations for a Blessed can be inscribed in a diocesan calendar under certain conditions, namely that they were born, lived, worked, died or were buried in the diocese. But in this special case it was recognised that St George’s Cathedral was the national shrine and contained a number of Romero’s relics.
The Archbishop of Southwark, Peter Smith, who petitioned the Congregation for the indult, with the support of the Archbishop Romero Trust, said he believed it was the only one to have been granted outside Central America. “I am delighted that the Holy See has approved this request, and hope that the example and prayers of Blessed Romero will prove a blessing to the diocese and to all who visit the cathedral,” he said.
This year’s Mass is to be celebrated by Bishop Patrick Lynch, an auxiliary in Southwark, at 12.30 p.m. on Friday 24 March. Bishop Lynch is to wear a red chasuble originally made for the beatification ceremony, donated to the cathedral by San Salvador diocese.
The announcement comes at the start of the centenary year of Romero’s birth on 15 August 1917.
Julian Filochowski, chair of the Oscar Romero Trust, told The Tablet that there were signs that Romero could be canonised this year. The bishops of San Salvador are due to meet Pope Francis on 24 March in Rome. “That seems to augur there will be some clarification, if not an announcement, about Romero’s canonisation. That might take place before the end of 2017. If Francis makes it his priority the Congregation for the Causes of Saints will make it their priority,” he said.
A number of events will take place in the UK to celebrate the centenary. During Romero Week in March Sr Martha Zechmeister CJ, who teaches theology at the Central American University (UCA) in San Salvador, will speak at churches around the country. On 12 August, the centenary of Romero’s birthday will be marked with a Mass at St George’s Cathedral celebrated by Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, the postulator of Romero’s cause; on 23 September an Evensong is due to be celebrated at Westminster Abbey by Lord (Rowan) Williams of Oystermouth and Cardinal Vincent Nichols.
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