The Romero Memory

Óscar Romero’s continuing legacy in various societies worldwide.

On 24 March 1980, Salvadoran archbishop Óscar Romero was assassinated while celebrating mass in San Salvador. During the last years of his life, Romero had become an outspoken opponent of the oppression by El Salvador’s dictatorial regime and a beacon of peace and hope in a country torn by injustice, inequality and violence. His assassination sparked global outrage and converged with a growing international awareness of the plight of Latin America. To this day, Romero continues to inspire resistance and liberation movements in Latin America and beyond, both inside and outside the Church. Bringing together perspectives from the fields of history, theology, sociology, law, and cultural studies, The Romero Memory aims to accomplish a polyphonic understanding of the archbishop’s significance. His legacy transcends Western approaches to these disciplines and encompasses religious thought and practice, human rights activism, El Salvadoran mural iconography, Hollywood film, local social institutions and international aid, as well as transitional justice.

Contributing authors: Jonas Van Mulder (KADOC-KU Leuven), Joren Janssens (RoSa/KU Leuven), Kim Christiaens (KU Leuven), Caroline Sappia (UCLouvain), Miguel Villela (University of El Salvador), Bradley Hilgert (Universidad de las Artes), Martin Maier (Jesuit European Social Centre), Sharon Erickson Nepstad (University of New Mexico), Kevin Coleman (University of Toronto), Zachary Dehm (Duquesne University), Rafaela Eulberg (University of Bonn), Valeria Vegh Weis (Buenos Aires University / Quilmes National University), Miryam Rivera Holguín (KU Leuven), Adriana Hildenbrand (Universidad de Lima / Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú), Jozef Corveleyn (KU Leuven), Lucia De Haene (KU Leuven), Rudina Jasini (University of Oxford), Jacques Haers (KU Leuven).

Ebook available in Open Access. This publication is GPRC-labeled (Guaranteed Peer-Reviewed Content).

Format: Edited volume - paperback

Size: 244 × 170 mm

450 pages

ISBN: 9789462704176

Publication: September 04, 2024

Languages: English

Jacques Haers is an emeritus professor in theology at KU Leuven and member of the Research Unit of Systematic Theology and the Study of Religions.
Jonas Van Mulder is a research associate and curator at KADOC Documentation and Research Centre on Religion, Culture and Society of KU Leuven.
Judith Gruber is a research professor in theology at KU Leuven and a member of the Research Unit of Systematic Theology and the Study of Religions, Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies.
Kim Christiaens is an associate professor in history at KU Leuven and director of KADOC Documentation and Research Centre on Religion, Culture and Society of KU Leuven.
Stephan Parmentier is a full professor in law and criminology at KU Leuven and member of the Research Unit of Criminal Law and Criminology.
Veerle Draulans is an associate professor in social sciences at KU Leuven and member of the Leuven Interdisciplinary Centre Lived Religion and Meaning.