Conmemoration of St. Oscar Romero, April 30

Saint Oscar Romero was a courageous voice for justice and human rights in El Salvador. As Archbishop, he became a new voice of hope during the brutal repression of the war. He understood that he must use his pulpit to denounce the violence and injustices inflicted on the poor by the military dictatorship. Romero was committed to truth and justice, despite receiving threats and ultimately being assassinated by U.S.-trained death squads in 1980, he continues to inspire movements for peace and dignity across the Americas.

In today’s context, where immigrant communities are among the most vulnerable and are targets of the rising authoritarian Trump regime, Romero’s legacy serves as a reminder of the power of faith-rooted resistance and actions in confronting oppressive systems. The Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) was founded in part as a response to Romero’s prophetic work for the oppressed. His vision for justice is embedded in our mission as we stand in solidarity with resistance communities in Central America and fight with immigrant rights communities in Chicago. That is why we are honored to partner with Centro Romero—an institution that has served the immigrant and refugee community in Chicago for over 40 years. Though March is traditionally the month in which we celebrate Saint Romero’s life, every day remains an opportunity to honor his memory by working to dismantle injustice, from El Salvador to the streets of Chicago. Romero’s legacy lives on through the continued efforts of Centro Romero, CRLN, and Alianza Americas. Centro Romero addresses urgent needs through direct services, while CRLN advances interfaith advocacy, education and action for systemic change. Together, we are committed to educating, empowering, and organizing immigrant, Latino/a, and refugee communities to confront today’s injustices with the same courage and conviction that Romero embodied. Join us on April 30 at 10AM.

📅 Date: April 30, 2025

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM

📍 Location: Pueblo Unido Gallery at Centro Romero, 6212 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60660