Throughout history Christians have suffered martyrdom and torture as a result of 'hatred of the faith' (odium fidei). Archbishop Oscar Romero, gunned down while saying Mass, was declared to be such a martyr by Pope Francis, thus opening the way for his beatification. Romero paid the ultimate price for his faithfulness to Christ and his Church, rather than is often misrepresented, for his political activism. Romero's impressive body of teaching, personal holiness and sufferings illustrate what an impressive
witness to the faith he truly was.
Fr Ashley Beck is Assistant Priest of Beckenham in the Archdiocese of Southwark. He is also senior Lecturer in Pastoral Ministry at St Mary's, Twickenham.