John Abbott College

Christianity Intertwined within Romero and Black Liberation Theology

Hanna Myara

2252959

Religion & Liberation

Mario Bellemare

03-29-2023
Those at the top of the totem pole have always deemed it natural and normal to control and

oppress those at the bottom. Individuals or groups of people such as the Romans, cruel

dictators, and even the white population in America have made it their goal during their reign

to take any sort of power away from minorities. Essentially once a ruler has a tiny taste of

power, they grasp onto this with all their might while attempting to eliminate any threat to

their cruel domination. Racism and lynching affecting the black community ran wild in the

united states of America particularly the south. In fact, this terrible phenomenon made way for

James Cone’s black liberation theology which is essentially a framework that seeks to address

the oppression of Black people in America by drawing on the Christian tradition. It argues that

God is on the side of the oppressed and that liberation is both a theological and a political

imperative. This theology is evident in the film Romero (John Duigan, 1989), which portrays the

life of Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador during the country's civil war.

Religion, in this case, Christianity, is deeply rooted in the emancipation of the poor, the sick,

and the oppressed. Starting from Moses and his exodus from Egypt, it is shown and stated that

God is a God of the persecuted and a defender of those who can’t defend themselves. The

lynching of black people in America, was a widespread epidemic based on violence and

inequality allowed to continue without restraint by the government made up by older white

men known to be very discriminatory. In an attempt to feel better about their suffering and to

overcome strife, black people found faith and hope through Jesus Christ and his battle against

oppressors. They saw the resemblance between their own suffering particularly lynching and

Jesus’s hard journey and persecution on the cross in hope of gaining freedom and emancipating
his people. In fact, many black Americans turned to religion as a source of hope and inspiration

this was also translated into music and specifically the blues.

The lynching tree and the cross are the two most important symbols in African American

culture and history although it might be full of pain. Those who suffer at the hand of these

terrible deaths sought freedom under persecution. Cones points out that “Both the cross and

the lynching tree represented the worst in human beings and at the same time “an

unquenchable ontological thirst” for life that refuses to let the worst determine our final

meaning.” Essentially, the black community found a way to be hopeful because if they were

condemned to a ghastly death, they would soon enter a better place with their lord and

saviour.a

The theory that God opts for the poor and the oppressed can be translated into modern-day

practices in many ways. This can be seen in the way that the church attempts to help the poor

by sending out missionaries, funding orphanages, starting schools, etc.

Cone's black liberation theology emphasizes the importance of solidarity with the oppressed.

This is evident in Romero, which depicts the archbishop’s transformation from a conservative

religious figure to a champion of the poor and oppressed. Initially, Romero is portrayed as a

conservative priest who is more concerned with maintaining the status quo than with helping

the poor. However, as he witnesses the violence and suffering inflicted on the people of El

Salvador, he becomes increasingly committed to their cause. He begins to see the struggle of
the poor as a theological issue and asserts that the Church must take a stand against the

government's oppression of its people. In this way, Romero embodies the principle of solidarity

with the oppressed that is central to black liberation theology.

Another key element of Cone's work is the idea that God is on the side of the oppressed. This is

also evident in Romero, where the archbishop’s theology is shaped by his experiences of the

suffering of the poor. He comes to see the suffering of the poor as a reflection of Christ's

suffering and asserts that Christ is present in the midst of their struggle. In this way, Romero's

theology is shaped by his commitment to the oppressed and his belief that God is on their side.

This can be seen when he refuses to give the rich woman and her child special treatment for

the latter’s baptism.

Cone's black liberation theology also emphasizes the importance of action and political

engagement in the struggle for liberation. This is evident in Romero, where the archbishop’s

commitment to the poor leads him to take a public stand against the government. He becomes

an outspoken critic of the government's policies and speaks out against the violence inflicted on

the poor. He also becomes an advocate for social justice and works to build a movement that

can challenge the status quo. In this way, Romero's actions reflect the political engagement that

is central to black liberation theology. While the archbishop did not say this in relation to the

oppression of the black population, the statement “No one is conquered, no one; even though

they put you under the boot of oppression and of repression, whoever believes in Christ knows

that he is a victor and that the definitive victory will be that of truth and justice!” (Romero,
Oscar. 1985. The Voice of the Voiceless p. 279) relates closely to what black people believed in

and how they used their faith to persevere under racial persecution.

Finally, Cone's black liberation theology emphasizes the importance of hope and the belief in

the possibility of liberation. This is also evident in Romero, where the archbishop’s faith in the

possibility of liberation sustains him throughout his struggles, such as the trauma he had to

overcome when a dear friend and a fellow member of the clergy, Father Rutillo Grande, was

murdered for simply hoping for a better future. Despite the violence and suffering he witnesses;

he remains committed to the struggle for justice and continues to preach hope to the people of

El Salvador. He asserts that the poor will eventually be liberated, and that justice will prevail,

and in doing so he embodies the hope that is central to black liberation theology.

In conclusion, the theologians that focus on black liberation provide a useful framework for

understanding the themes and messages of the film Romero. This movie portrays the struggle

of the poor and oppressed in El Salvador and the archbishop’s transformation from a

conservative religious figure to a champion of the poor. Through his actions, the archbishop

embodies the principles of solidarity with the oppressed, the belief in the presence of God on

their side, the importance of political engagement, and the power of hope in the struggle for

liberation. Ultimately, Romero is a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of black

liberation theology and its relevance to contemporary struggles for justice and liberation even

though it is not explicitly mentioned in the film.

Cone, James H. 2011. The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

Romero, Oscar. 1985. The Voice of the Voiceless. Maryknoll. NY: Orbis Books.