SUPER MARTYRIO

U.N. DECLARES MARCH 24 CONMEMMORATION

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The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution declaring March 24 as International Day of the Right to Truth, in relation to serious violations of Human Rights and Dignity of Victims, in honor of Monseñor Romero. The resolution, proposed by El Salvador, was cosponsored by 45 countries, including all five Central American countries, and others that include Italy, Greece, Poland, Spain, Portugal, Mexico and India. The Salvadoran foreign ministry touted the resolution as a fitting tribute to Archbishop Romero, a tireless defender of human rights until his assassination on March 24, 1980.

The U.N. resolution is the latest of various conmemorations of the Romero assassination, which include:

• The Roman Catholic Church's conmemoration of March 24 as Missionary Martyrs' Day. In March 2007, Pope Benedict recognized that the Anniversary of Romero's martyrdom was the reason that the March 24 date was chosen for fasting and prayer for all missionaries who have given their lives for the faith.

• The Church of England recognizes March 24 as the Feast of Óscar Romero and the Martyrs of El Salvador, a recognition that is tantamount to the Roman Catholic process of canonization.

• The Salvadoran congress has declared March 24, National Óscar A. Romero Day, as have many cities around the world, including the City of Los Angeles, in California (USA).

This year, which marks the 30th anniversary of the Romero martyrdom anniversary, the Archbishop has received a number of posthumous tributes, including the Order of the Great Cross from the Central American Parliament. The anniversary itself, earlier in March, was marked by countless liturgical celebrations, including eloquent conmemorations by leading clerics in Britain.