The beatification of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero is the last step toward canonization that will make him a saint, the first in Central America. For left-wing activists, Romero's beatification is a recognition of the struggle and sacrifice of many courageous fighters who fought against the military dictatorships in power at the time that were supported by the U.S. government and which brutally repressed their own people in order to maintain the rule of the local oligarchies. Many other priests who stood by the poor were also killed, accused of being communists although they were merely following their religious convictions. Archbishop Romero is a symbol of the just causes for which he gave his life. Gerardo Torres reports from Central America. teleSUR
