Roberto S. Goizueta Explained

Roberto S. Goizueta
Birth Name:Roberto Segundo Goizueta
Birth Date:December 8, 1954
Birth Place:Havana, Cuba
Alma Mater:Yale University
Marquette University
Occupation:Theologian
Parents:Roberto Goizueta
Olguita Casteleiro

Roberto Segundo Goizueta (born December 8, 1954) is a Cuban American Catholic theologian currently holding the Margaret O'Brien Flatley Chair in Catholic Theology at Boston College. Some of his specialties include Latino(a) theology and Christology.

Education and background

Goizueta was born in Havana, Cuba. At the age of six he immigrated to the United States, where he attended high school in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Yale University and graduated with a B.A. in political science. After a short time in law school, he chose to attend Marquette University and pursue an M.A. and Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in 1984, Goizueta was named one of the 10 most influential Hispanic-American educators, pastors, and theologians by The National Catholic Reporter. His works have focused on theological aesthetics, liberation theology, and Latino theology.[1]

Career

Goizueta has received many awards and titles throughout his career. He was named Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) at Elms College as well as Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa) at the University of San Francisco. He once acted as president of both the Catholic Theological Society of America (2004-2005) and the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States (1990-1991). In addition to being president, Goizueta was also a board member of the Catholic Society of America from 1998 to 2000. In 1996, he received the honor of being the recipient of the Virgilio Elizondo Award, awarded by the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States. He is currently a professor at Boston College teaching courses in liberation theology, liberation christology, person and social responsibility, theology and culture, theological aesthetics, and U.S. Latino/a theology. His concentrations and field of interests include Latino/a theologies, theology and culture, theological aesthetics, and christology.[2] [3]

Latino theology and christology

Goizueta focuses on Latino theology within a liberative and aesthetic context. In addition, he analyzes challenges to modern day theologies and compares the theological praxis of Latino Americans to others.

Goitzueta sees U.S. Latino theology as marginalized by modern-day Western theology, by both theological and societal factors. In today's homogenized world, it is a constant challenge for unique cultures and practices to have prominence in such a world. If they are able to break this barrier, it is an even greater challenge to integrate without losing the distinctive qualities of one's practice (in his case, Latino theology) to the homogenization/Americanization/Westernization that much of the world is subjugated to. In comparing Western praxis to U.S. Latino praxis, Goizueta asserts that the "Western subject forges a self-identity by distancing himself or herself from community and tradition in order to achieve autonomy and independence" (92). Conversely, U.S. Latinos focus their identity on tradition, rituals, and community. While Western praxis has been derived from notions developed during the Enlightenment as more a "superstitious attempt at spiritual manipulation", U.S. Latinos see praxis as a way of reaffirmation ones relationship with God (92). Anglican theologies are the most prominent because they have been accepted as the universal in their rational nature. Many important aspects of Catholicism have been lost in today's world as a result, but U.S. Latino theology, he argues, maintains many of these aspects.

Goizueta sees dialogue as a means of liberation in that Latino Theologies, feminist theology, African American theology, etc. have been contextualized and forced out from the broader theological scene as western theologies are seen as more universal and objective. Goizueta believes that the inherent communal nature of Christianity and obligation to understanding and acceptance is something contextualized theologies (such as Latino theology) must utilize to reflect their importance to the greater community.[4] [5]

In his book Caminemos con Jesus, Goizueta analyzes the lived faith, or popular religion, of Latinos in the United States. He specifically delves into the theology behind Holy week and the significance of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He says that Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States, and that one-third of Catholics in the United States are Latino. Also in this book, He asks the question "Who is the God revealed in the practices of U.S. Catholics?" He sees God, and more specifically Jesus, as a companion for all, but in a special way for the poor and marginalized. This Jesus, or Christo compañero, calls people and empowers people to work for justice. Goizueta also says that the bonds of solidarity found between Latinos help affirm humanity in the face of social forces that would dehumanize them.[6]

Personal life

Goizueta is married and has three children.[7] [8]

Writings

Books

Articles and chapters

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cum Laude 2009: Professor Roberto S. Goizueta. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20111002094038/http://www.roxburylatin.org/news/detail.aspx?pageaction=ViewSinglePublic&LinkID=3608&ModuleID=72. 2011-10-02.
  2. Web site: Goizueta, Roberto S, Professor. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120323002856/http://www.ctsa-online.org/login/ctdetail.asp?id=196&n=0. 2012-03-23.
  3. Web site: Achtus Awards.
  4. Goizueta. Roberto S.. Rediscovering praxis : the significance of US Hispanic experience for theological method.. We Are a People. 51–77.
  5. Goizueta. Roberto S.. The symbolic realism of U.S. Latino/a popular Catholicism.. Theological Studies. 65. 2. 2004. 255–274. 10.1177/004056390406500201. 55377125.
  6. Web site: Caminemos con Jesús. Hacia una teología del acompañamiento by Roberto Goizueta (English Audio). Convivium Press. April 18, 2011.
  7. Web site: Roberto S. Goizueta . April 10, 2011.
  8. Web site: Professor Roberto S. Goizueta, Theology Department.
  9. Web site: Caminemos con Jesús, by Roberto S. Goizueta.

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