Scar Romero S Theological Vision

This ambitious book examines Saint Oscar Romero's words to understand how his thoughts fit into the broader context of Catholic theology. On March 24, 1980, Archbishop Óscar Romero was assassinated as he celebrated mass in El Salvador. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis on October 14, 2018. Edgardo Colón-Emeric explores the life and thought of Romero and his theological vision, which finds its focus in the mystery of the transfiguration. Romero is now understood to be one of the founders of liberation theology, which interprets scripture through the plight of the poor. His theological vision is most succinctly expressed by his saying, “Gloria Dei, vivens pauper”: “The glory of God is the poor who lives.” God’s glory was first revealed through Christ to a landless tenant farmer, a market woman, and an unemployed laborer, and they received the power to shine from the church to the world. Colón-Emeric’s study is an exercise in what Latino/a theologians call ressourcement from the margins, or a return to theological foundations. One of the first Latin American Church Fathers, Romero’s theological vision is a sign of the emergence of Christianity in the Global South from “reflection” Church to “source” Church. The hope for this study is that scholars in the fields of theology, religious studies, and Latin American studies will be captivated by the doctrine of this humble pastor and inspired to think more clearly and act more decisively in solidarity with the poor.

Colón-Emeric explores the life and theological vision of Archbishop and Saint Óscar Romero, one of the founders of liberation theology, which interprets Scripture through the plight of the poor.

Essays originally written in Spanish, 1980-1989. Includes bibliographical references (p. 213-214).

Living in hope, Archbishop Romero engendered hope in the people he served. Sustained by Christian hope, he gave hope to many, especially those treated as non-persons. Practicing hope, he revealed that there is always room for a better world although warning about false messianisms. The one who lived by Christian hope and inspired hope in others paid the ultimate price: death... a violent death. He joined the countless martyrs throughout history who suffered the consequences of daring to live with hope and inspire hope in others. Yet in death he continues to inspire many. His message remains as relevant as ever because hope does not end until fully achieving its goal. As long as we need to long for a world in which injustice, marginalization and violence are no more, Archbishop Romero's message of hope will remain alive. In this book we encounter an exquisite selection of Archbishop Romero's own words about hope. These quotes come directly from the homilies he preached since the time he was appointed as Archbishop of San Salvador until the day of his untimely death. Each quote is an invitation into the heart and mind of someone who lived with a profound sense of Christian hope. Reading and reflecting upon these words is an invitation into a journey of Restoring Hope.

"Official pastoral letters and other speeches by Oscar Romero, the martyred archbishop of San Salvador"--

Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Finalist Interest in and awareness of the demand for social justice as an outworking of the Christian faith is growing. But it is not new. For five hundred years, Latina/o culture and identity have been shaped by their challenges to the religious, socio-economic, and political status quo, whether in opposition to Spanish colonialism, Latin American dictatorships, US imperialism in Central America, the oppression of farmworkers, or the current exploitation of undocumented immigrants. Christianity has played a significant role in that movement at every stage. Robert Chao Romero, the son of a Mexican father and a Chinese immigrant mother, explores the history and theology of what he terms the "Brown Church." Romero considers how this movement has responded to these and other injustices throughout its history by appealing to the belief that God's vision for redemption includes not only heavenly promises but also the transformation of every aspect of our lives and the world. Walking through this history of activism and faith, readers will discover that Latina/o Christians have a heart after God's own.