Robert S. Pelton – författare

As the Church seeks to understand its life and mission in an increasingly secular context, the worldwide experiences of small Christian communities offer significant insights into the Church of the future. This book presents the findings of a theological consultation held at the University of Notre Dame in 1996 among 45 theologians, pastoral leaders and lay members of small communities from five continents. What emerges here is a careful, candid and positive view of how small communities can enrich the life of the Church by drawing together people of diverse cultures and economic situations for spiritual renewal based on a sense of mission to the poor and the excluded. The theology and lived experience presented here offer profound insights into finding and living the reality of Christ in the contemporary world.This book demonstrates how and why the formation and fervor of small Christian communities may well be the leaven for the Church of the future.

Monsignor Romero: A Bishop for the Third Millennium is a collection of a series of speeches given in honor of the late archbishop by distinguished visitors to Notre Dame. Shortly before his assassination, Archbishop Romero told an interviewer, "I have to say, as a Christian, that I don't believe in death without resurrection. If they kill me, I will rise again in the Salvadoran people." Using a wealth of detailed information about his life and work, the prelates, priests, human rights advocates, civic leaders, and Latin Americanists who have contributed to this volume show how Romero has fulfilled this prophecy.As the title implies, this book examines Romero's role as a model bishop for the new millennium. It places particular emphasis on his commitment to human rights, his innovative implementation of the option for the poor, his dedication to the Church, and his views of the role of the laity. It is also an inspirational account of Romero's deep and abiding faith that seemingly insoluble problems can be resolved by following the Spirit. An introduction by Fr. Pelton and an afterword by Juan Méndez, Director of the Notre Dame Center for Civil and Human Rights, round out the collection.This diverse and rich assortment of lectures substantially adds to our historical and theological understanding of one of the most important Christian figures of the twentieth century. It will be of significant value to anyone interested in the life of this remarkable man.