Romero's Legacy: The Call to Peace and Justice

(Paperback)

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Pilar Hogan Closkey and John Hogan have brought together the annual Archbishop Oscar Romero Lectures (2001-2007) to consider the life and death of Archbishop Romero and the daily struggles of the poor in our world, especially in the city of Camden, New Jersey-one of America's poorest cities. Romero's 'dangerous memory' provides the background, while urban poverty and the option for the poor are the foreground. Romero's commitment to the poor compels us to look at ourselves, and the authors of each chapter remind us of Romero's dangerous memory and his undying hope in the promised future. Taken as a whole, the book reminds us of the tough questions behind the real meaning of the 'option for the poor.' Can we as a faith community and institution move beyond high-sounding slogans and really opt for the poor What are the costs What are the risks Especially in these difficult times of war, terrorism, and scandal, can we in the Church rebuild trust and be a sign of a future of justice and peace announced by Jesus

Reviews

Archbishop Romero's unfinished Eucharist challenges us on every page of this small volume. Indeed, his life and assassination have captured the imagination of people throughout the world, especially the young. This engaging and provocative collection takes the reader on a journey of love, faith and justice that relates Romero's vision to key issues: poverty, war, capital punishment, race, and immigration. His legacy lives on and readers of this book will experience the prophetic force of this great man of God. -- Virglio Elizondo, University of Notre Dame
This isn't another collection of stories about Romero, but rather words of encouragement and challenge from those who have kept his company. In Romero's Legacy the contributors share their experience and insight, and invite us to cross the artificial divides that separate us from one another. -- Suzanne C. Toton Ed.D, Villanova University; author of Justice Education: From Service to Solidarity and World Hunger: the Responsibility of Christian Education
In this book a remarkable series of thinkers and doers like Sister Helen Prejean and Gustavo Gutierrez have distilled into a single essay, originally presented orally, what they have learned in decades of experience Linking them together is the figure of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the city of Camden New Jersey, each a call to conscience. -- Phillip Berryman, author of Religion in the Megacity: Catholic and Protestant Portraits from Latin America
Although a relatively short book, its seven chapters serve as a powerful resource for religious educators. * Momentum *
The discussion questions at the end of each lecture highlight the pastoral issues from which new theologies are waiting to be born. The lsit of resources for further study enhances the value of the work. * Horizons: The Magazine of Presbyterian Women *
At a time when we in the U.S. face a long list of global issues poverty, economic exploitation, war, discrimination, capital punishment, and immigration this book is an amazing epiphany. In the midst of one of America's most depressed cities, Archbishop Romero emerges as a voice for the poor and dispossessed. Ether-like, his voice bespeaks his own discovery of the poor, his emergence as their key defender, and his martyrdom on their behalf. His legacy echoes in the words of the authors collected here and compels the reader to dig deeper into the hard questions implicit in Catholic social teaching, especially the 'preferential option for the poor.' -- George F. McLean, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Catholic University
Some well-known figures appear in the volume and give it weight....Other authors...make valuable contributions as well. * American Catholic Studies *

Author Bio

Pilar Hogan Closkey is an urban planner and Executive Director of St. Joseph's Carpenter Society, Camden, NJ. John P. Hogan was Associate Director for International Operations of the Peace Corps and is the author of Credible Signs of Christ Alive: Case Studies From The Catholic Campaign For Human Development (2003).