Archbishop Romero died for the faith.

A Vatican-appointed panel of theologians has concluded that Archbishop Oscar Romero was killed "in hatred of the faith." Romero was gunned down while celebrating Mass in March 1980 in El Salvador. He had become a central figure in the country's conflict because of his outspoken denunciation of human rights abuses.

For some years, his cause had been put on hold because of criticism that he had been killed for political reasons, not his faith. However, in 2013, Pope Benedict XVI stated that the Salvadoran prelate "merits beatification, I do not doubt." A rigorous enquiry which followed has now answered the question. So, if the Congregation for the Causes of Saints ratifies that finding, Archbishop Romero will be eligible for beatification.