- Keys to faith and the Christian proposal
- Give answer
- Populism and progressivism
- Theologian of profound knowledge
Manuel Sánchez Monge.
I have to confess that, in principle, I am not a big fan of anthology books of articles, of compendium books.
However, I believe that some are necessary and not only for the fact of having what was written in a single volume as a reference for immediate consultation.
If we talk about a compilation book by an author that we read frequently, what happens is that what has been put together and published in a single volume already sounds familiar to us. Therefore, what has been said already belongs to our hospital knowledge.
Keys to faith and the Christian proposal
In this case the anthology of Monsignor Manuel Sánchez Monge, who was bishop of Mondoñedo-Ferrol and Santander, That’s nothing, it has some surprises in store for us.
The first is that shortly after his retirement, that is, after he becomes emeritus, we already have the fruit of a healthy habit of his, that of taking the pulse of current events, mainly social and cultural from the keys of faith and the Christian proposal.
That is to say, Don Manuel has dedicated many hours, also during the period of his Santander ministry, to reading, and this is important. And to writing.
Give answer
He has done so with a profusion of references from books and essays, on issues of pure and permanent relevance, with solid criteria, with innovative proposals, with some statements that will surprise the reader, especially due to the breadth of topics he addresses.
In this sense, what is present in the book is a concern to respond to the questions that the present, also as a sign of the times, makes to the Christian conscience.
That, for example, she glosses what a “vitamin person” means, taking the concept of a famous author of self-help books, gives an idea of where the issue is going.
It is true that there is a predominance of subjects related to education and marriage and family. Not approached from a theological point of view but from various vantage points, such as sociological, demographic or cultural analysis.
Populism and progressivism
I would highlight three of his texts. Two dedicated to populism and one to progressivism and its consequences.
This book also has the novelty of a prologue that is very eloquent. A prologue written by journalist Bieito Rubido, director of El Debatein which he highlights some aspects that we must now value.
The first. Bieito says that Don Manuel has reached disbelievers with these texts, published mostly in the general press. Therefore, it has exercised presence at the limits, at the peripheries, at the frontiers of faith and reason.
The director of El Debate points out that we live in times where emotion prevails over rationality, times of uncertainty that “demand certainty.” Here they are found.
Not with the usual apologetic style, but with the spirit of a friendly conversation, not of an intellectual, but of a bishop, who is a pastor.
Theologian of profound knowledge
Finally, allow me to highlight one aspect. Rubido affirms that he met Don Manuel when he arrived in his native diocese, Mondoñedo-Ferrol. “From the beginning he surprised me – he writes – and was seduced by his closeness and personal sympathy. He was not just another bishop. There was no distance between him and the others. Sometimes, bishops distance themselves too much from the parish and parishioners. This is not the case of Don Manuel. Behind that simplicity, however, hides a theologian of profound knowledge, a tireless worker.”
I can say the same. It happened to me when Don Manuel arrived in Santander.
To the beat of each day
Manuel Sánchez Monge
Salt of the Earth
At the pace of each day.
