The Violence of Love [Paperback]

Oscar A. Romero (Author), James R. Brockman (Translator), henri Nouwen (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2004

These selections from the sermons and writings of Archbishop Oscar Romero share the message of a great holy prophet of modern times. Three short years transformed Romero, archbishop of San Salvador, from a conservative defender of the status quo into one of the church’s most outspoken voices of the oppressed. Though silenced by an assassin’s bullet, his spirit—and the challenge of his life lives on.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Oscar Romero was converted by suffering: the suffering of a friend, of the people he served, and then finally his own suffering. There are many ways to be converted, but perhaps the best way is to live among the poor and to discover in them as Romero did, the presence of Christ. -- Samuel Ruiz Garcia, Bishop of San Cristobal, Chiapas Mexico

Romero does not speak from a distance. He does not hide his fears, his brokenness, his hesitations. It is as if he puts his arm around my shoulder and slowly walks with me. He shares my struggles. There is a warmth in his words that opens my heart to listen. -- Henri J. M. Nouwen, from the Forward

These homilies reveal lines of poetic beauty describing a cruel and ugly world Here is indomitable courage and utter humility. Here is a message of hope. --Robert McAfee Brown, Professor Emeritus, Pacific School of Religion

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Spanish --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 214 pages
• Publisher: Orbis Books (February 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570755353
• ISBN-13: 978-1570755354
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars moving; powerful witness for justice, April 30, 2000

By 

Marc DelMonico (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Violence of Love (Paperback)

Archbishop Romero, the asassinated bishop of El Salvador (1980) is considered by me and many to be a prophet to the church and world of our time. Faced with a situation in his country that saw 5 percent of his nation with 95 percent of the wealth and total power over the government and military which they used to oppress the 95 percent in poverty, Archbishop Romero was transformed from a conservative bookworm to the greatest orator for justice in the clergy since Martin Luther King, Jr. This book contains excerpts from his sermons arragned in chronological order during the three years of his episcopacy in San Salvador (1977-1980). These sermons were more than just spiritual messages, but rather nation-wide calls for social justice, for nonviolence, and for an end to poverty and pain. Drawing on readings from the bible, Romero the scholar and orator shine through, but so does the Romero of compassion and solidarity with the people who suffered so much. And in many ways what he said then is still applicable today, not only in El Salvador, but all over the world, wherever there is injustice and oppression. A must read for any person concerned for social justice for all grounded in a Christian perspective!

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please read this book, December 25, 2004

By 

Lisa (Chandler, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Violence of Love (Paperback)

I bought this book after seeing the DVD "Romero". There are very few things in my life which I can say changed everything for me, and the DVD and this book were some of those few. He speaks simply and clearly to a loved audience of suffering believers. He speaks to the need of a conversion of love for the poor as an imperative step after a conversion to Christ. That every Christian living in comfort and safety must give money, time, energy, and prayer to the needs of the poor and oppressed. And that this giving must be past the point of what is convenient. He says that no Christian has a right to live in comfort if he sees someone suffering. That any Christian suffering must pray for and love their enemies. This book is radical in its simplicity, in its clarity, in its gentleness, and in its absolute conviction. Tragically, Romero was killed in 1980 for trying to live out the commands of Christ.

This book is great as a devotional, even if you are not into devotionals, and can be read in small bites.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The example of Archbishop Romero's writing cries freedom, February 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Violence of Love (Paperback)

Archbishop Romero's life and writing is a testamony of transending the status quo to becomimng a voice for the voiceless. A bullet from the oppressors silenced this challenge represented by Romero. These writings uncover the presence of Christ amoung the poor. Here is a message of courage and hope revealed in poetic lines rooted in the commom struggle for freedom and justice by the people.