Cardinal David wears Romero cross

MANILA, Philippines — A wooden cross inspired by Salvadoran Saint Oscar Romero – patron of those who work for justice and peace – will be worn “most of the time” by Caloocan Bishop Pablo Cardinal David.

David told CBCPNews that a friend gave him the cross and “a piece of bloodied cloth” from Romero. He is considering wearing the cross whenever he dons his red robe.

The newly appointed cardinal is one of the prelates who have been vocal against former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

David said the cross symbolizes his commitment to social justice and human rights.

On March 24, 1980, Archbishop Romero, 62, was shot dead during mass. Pope Francis in 2015 declared Romero a martyr for the faith. He was beatified in El Salvador and canonized in 2018.

El Salvador has a tradition  of producing colorful crucifixes. The Romero cross – created to mark the 30th anniversary of Romero’s death in 2014 – was hand-painted in El Salvador by partners of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, the Church’s official aid agency in England and Wales.