Óscar Romero’s Theological Vision

"Colón-Emeric is at the leading edge of both the best scholarship and the best pedagogy for grasping the entirety of Romero's witness. Colón-Emeric situates this liturgically driven vision of theology within the specificity of the celebration and the martyrdom in San Salvador. This particularizing and localizing of the theme makes this book even more universal and engaging. Everyone in the English-speaking world who is writing and thinking about the witness of Romero will need to read this book and will benefit greatly from that reading." —Peter Casarella, University of Notre Dame

"In an engaging and convincing way, the case is made that in Saint Óscar Romero we have a pastor and a martyr, but also something much more, a father of the church, who gives us a new, rich, and challenging way to speak about God in our time." —Today's American Catholic

“In one of the first books to investigate Romero’s theology, Edgardo Colón-Emeric examines Romero’s life and theological vision, which finds its focus in the mystery of the transfiguration… 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 more decisively in solidarity with the poor.” —Duke Divinity

“Oscar Romero’s Theological Vision . . . dissect[s] the saint’s words to understand how his thoughts fit into the broader context of Catholic theology.” —CatholicPhilly.com

"Edgardo Colón-Emeric’s excellent book deserves its place within the new generation of Monsignor Óscar Romero studies. Instead of offering another biographical account of Romero’s life, this monograph skillfully examines the contribution and legacy of Romero’s theological vision. Colón-Emeric approaches both the traditional wellspring of Romero’s theology and the oppressed reality that shaped his prophetic voice. One of the great strengths of the book is Colón-Emeric’s careful consideration of Romero’s homilies as a main source of new theological riches and insights. This well-written and carefully researched book is a must-read for all who are interested in Latin American theology and the vision of its saints." —Ernesto Valiente, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

"Though the life and tragic murder of St. Óscar Romero have garnered much attention, his theology needs further exploration. Edgardo Colón-Emeric’s fine study brings out the richness of Romero’s thinking on themes such as Christ, salvation, the church, and Christian hope. Richly connecting this contemporary martyr and saint to the ancient richness of Christian theology, Colón-Emeric’s book demonstrates how Romero's courageous defense of human rights sprang from a powerful theology of transfiguration." —Michael Lee, Fordham University

“Throughout this remarkable book, the author takes us ever deeper into the theological development of the martyr bishop Saint Óscar Romero.” —The Tablet

“The project is ambitious: synthesize the homiletic output of the saint, contextualize it in the crucible of El Salvador’s suffering poor, and lift out the theological insights that are important new contributions in the advancement of the Gospel. At every stroke, the author gets it right, and the poetic form it often takes makes this an indispensable addition to the growing study of Romero’s thought.” —Catholic Library World