Archbishop Romero Biography Reissued ahead of Beatification

A biographical booklet on the life of late Archbishop Oscar Romero, written by Revd Dr Ashley Beck, Pastoral Ministry Programme Director at St Mary’s University, Twickenham has been reissued ahead of a beatification of the Archbishop on Saturday 23^rd May in San Salvador, El Salvador. Oscar Romero Martyr for Faith (Catholic Truth Society, 2015) is one of the few studies of the archbishop, who was martyred in 1980, to be written and published in the UK, and the new edition includes a revised introduction from Dr Beck. It explores martyrdom and torture within Christianity and the misconception that Archbishop Romero paid the ultimate price for his political activism rather than his faithfulness to Christ. About the book Dr Beck said, “The beatification of Archbishop Romero this month will be an important event for the whole Catholic Church and for many other Christians. I am grateful to the Catholic Truth Society for reissuing my booklet and I hope Romero will become better known among Christians in this country.” St Mary’s Head of the School of Education, Theology and Leadership Dr Maureen Glackin said, “Dr Beck’s booklet elucidates the life of one whose commitment to the Christian message has much to teach us today about the responsibility and integrity of leadership. I am pleased that Dr Beck’s excellent booklet will reach a new audience in this year of Romero’s beatification.” Beatification is the Catholic Church’s official recognition of the deceased and their entrance to Heaven, whereby they are given the title ‘Blessed’. A beatification is the third of four steps to canonization, where a person becomes a saint.