Monseñor: The Last Journey of Oscar Romero

The Australian National Centre for Latin American Studies and the Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador present: Monseñor: The Last Journey of Oscar Romero (2011 – Documentary, 97 mins) Directors: Ana Carrigan, Juliet Weber.

In El Salvador in the late Seventies, one man was the voice of the poor, the disenfranchised, and the disappeared - all struggling under the corrupt Salvadoran government. Appointed Archbishop in early 1977, Monseñor Óscar Romero worked tirelessly and in constant personal peril until the day he was assassinated in March 1980. Romero broke off ties with the military and aligned himself with the poor, delivering messages of hope in weekly sermons which became national events. Encouraging direct action against oppression, Romero's speaking impacted political events in El Salvador that still have meaning to this day.

With rare recordings and film footage from Romero's own collection and a wide range of interviews from those whose lives were changed by Archbishop Romero, including church activists, human rights lawyers, former guerrilla fighters and politicians, Monseñor: The Last Journey of Óscar Romero is a timely portrait of one individual's quest to speak truth to the rich and powerful forces which dominated his government. Thirty five years after his assassination, the Vatican has formally declared that Archbishop Óscar Romero was assassinated as a martyr for the Catholic faith and is to be beatified May 23 in San Salvador.

The showing of the documentary (97 minutes) will be followed by light food and beverages through the kind support of the Embassy of the Republic of El Salvador. The Film is in Spanish with English subtitles. Admission is free. No RSVP required. 

This movie is recommended for viewers 18 years and over.