St Oscar Romero
At Coloma, we are proud to be part of the St Oscar Romero Catholic Academy Trust, whose name reflects the life, faith and courage of a remarkable modern saint.
St Oscar Romero was Archbishop of San Salvador in El Salvador, Central America. Born on 15 August 1917, he was ordained a priest in 1942 and appointed Archbishop in 1977. He lived during a period of great poverty, inequality and violence in his country, when many people suffered injustice, persecution and the denial of their basic human rights.
As Archbishop, Romero became increasingly committed to standing alongside those who were poor, vulnerable and oppressed. He used his position and his voice to speak out against violence, injustice and the suffering of ordinary people. He believed that the Church could not remain silent in the face of such suffering and that faith must be lived through love, compassion and action.
His courage came at a great personal cost. Despite receiving death threats, he continued to speak out for those who had no voice. On 24 March 1980, he was assassinated while celebrating Mass in the chapel of a hospital in San Salvador. He was beatified in 2015 and canonised by Pope Francis on 14 October 2018. His feast day is celebrated on 24 March.
A faith that stands up for others
St Oscar Romero's life reminds us that faith is not simply something we believe; it is something we put into practice. He showed extraordinary courage in defending human dignity, challenging injustice and standing in solidarity with those most in need.
His example speaks powerfully to young people today. It encourages us to look beyond ourselves, to recognise the dignity of every person and to have the confidence to speak up when something is wrong.
Romero's message is particularly relevant to our Catholic identity and our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching. His life reflects the values of human dignity, the common good, solidarity, peace and the preferential option for the poor.
Our shared vision and values
As a member of the St Oscar Romero Catholic Academy Trust, Coloma shares in a wider Catholic community inspired by his example. His legacy challenges us to create a culture in which every individual is valued, every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to use their gifts in the service of others.
At Coloma, we want our young women to develop not only the knowledge and ambition to fulfil their potential, but also the compassion, integrity and courage to make a positive contribution to the world.
St Oscar Romero reminds us that we all have a responsibility to stand alongside those who are vulnerable, to challenge injustice and to work towards a more peaceful and compassionate society.
Inspired to make a difference
The life of St Oscar Romero continues to inspire people across the world. His example encourages us to ask ourselves important questions: Do we notice those who need our help? Do we stand up for what is right? Do we use our voices and talents to make a difference?
These are values we seek to nurture throughout our school community – through our learning, our relationships, our prayer and our service to others.
We are proud to belong to a Trust that carries his name and to share in a mission shaped by his faith, courage and commitment to justice.
May the example of St Oscar Romero inspire us to be courageous in our beliefs, compassionate in our actions and determined to make the world a fairer and more loving place.
St Oscar Romero – Pray for us.