Archbishop Oscar Romero was quoted telling the reporters of El Salvador, “You can tell the people that if they succeed in killing me, that I forgive and bless those who do it. Hopefully, they will realize they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the church of God, which is the people, will never perish.”

Romero was killed several days later during the Celebration of the Mass, one day after calling Christian Salvadorans to obey the law of God, even if it’s contradictory to government orders.  CNA reports that the Vatican is debating whether or not the archbishop was a martyr for the church, or an assassinated hero for the political left.
7 August 2007