St. Oscar Romero’s words were prophetic and powerful decades ago. But they remain extremely relevant and valuable to this day. Here are ten key quotes from The Violence of Love:

Participation is central to the common good:

“All can build the beautiful structure of the common good, the good that we construct together and that creates conditions of kindness, of trust, of freedom, of peace.”

How we can understand our national identity within our global vision and mission:

“The church’s task in each country is to make of each country’s individual history a history of salvation.”

What true peace is:

“Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty.”

The Gospel as the foundation of universal human rights:

“Defense of human rights, equality, and freedom is not only a matter of policy. It is a matter of policy, but of policy rooted in the gospel. The gospel is the great defender and proclaimer of all the great fundamental rights of the person.”

Educating children to serve:

“Let us form in the heart of the child and the young person the lofty ideal of loving, of preparing oneself to serve and to give oneself to others.”

Weak, insecure leaders are often brutal, obsessed with clinging to their undeserved power:

“In a weak person, power becomes cruelty; a sense of inferiority is carried to the level of brutishness.”

The obligations of a true pastor:

 “My position as pastor obliges me to solidarity with everyone who suffers and to embody every effort for human freedom and dignity.”

The centrality of the Imago Dei:

“The church considers this its ministry: to defend God’s image in human beings.”

The emptiness of bourgeois self-interest and materialism:

“What a terrible thing, to have lived quite comfortably, with no suffering, not getting involved in problems, quite tranquil, quite settled, with good connections politically, economically, socially—lacking nothing, having everything.”

“No one is more alone than the selfish.”