Salvadorans celebrate ahead of Romero's canonization

Hundreds of pilgrims from around Central America paraded in San Salvador Saturday to celebrate the impending canonization of slain Salvadoran cleric Oscar Romero, seen by many as a martyr of the left. The visitors, many in clothes printed with Romero's face, gathered in front of his tomb, in the crypt of San Salvador's central cathedral, and at the Hospital of Divine Providence chapel, where he was assassinated in 1980. "We are arriving here to honor the memory of Monsignor Romero, who took his faith to the point of giving his life for what he believed was right," said Francisco Navarro, a 51-year-old Honduran, at the chapel along with some 30 of his compatriots. President Salvador Sanchez Ceren, who is in Rome for the canonization, said in a statement that El Salvador is "united in joy" for the "historic event that fills us with hope and happiness." Vigils in churches around El Salvador were scheduled for Saturday night, with the canonization set to be broadcast on giant screens in the early hours. Some walked carefully in candlelight processions to the late services. Indeed many pilgrims and fans of Romero believe that once he becomes a saint, he will defeat his Cold War-era killers and those who branded him "Marxist" and "crazy" for denouncing injustice, and military repression. "Since before he was killed, he defeated his killers by forgiving them. Because he knew they were going to kill him," university professor Julia Lainez told AFP. And "it's a really big moment for the church; we are welcoming his canonization with joy because it bolsters defending the poor" as he did, said America Caal. But despite the celebrations, Salvadorans still are displeased that after 38 years, Romero's killers have never faced justice. His death sent shockwaves around the world and escalated violence in El Salvador that would become a 12-year civil war between a series of US-backed governments and leftist rebels, claiming 75,000 lives. "The first step toward justice is getting at the truth. And for me showing the truth about a crime the state is responsible for is a responsibility that has not yet been met," said Jesuit priest Jose Maria Tojeira. In 1993, a UN-sponsored truth commission concluded Romero's murder was carried out by a right-wing death squad under the orders of Roberto D'Aubuisson, a former army officer who died the year the war ended.