Women and men, their eyes wide open, entered the Silence and watched attentively. They heard the Ineffable, they saw the Invisible. And, without being perfect, they became witnesses, heretical prophets, peaceful subversives, friends of life, of joyful goodness.
To Miren Jone Azurza. In memoriam
/in Reflections, Witnesses to Light /by José Arregi(Donostia-San Sebastian, 18-05-1929 – Donostia-San Sebastian, 15-05-2022) You were petite but great nevertheless. You kept as low a profile as possible in the media, but you were a pioneer. Your modesty made you all the more remarkable. You never regarded yourself as a forerunner in anything or dreamt of being one, but you were: as […]
LGTBIQ+: Impure in the Church
/in Dawns, Reflections, Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiRecently, James Martin, well-known United States Jesuit and writer, sent a letter to Pope Francis with the three questions that he most often receives from Catholic LGTBIQ+ people (lesbians, gays, transexuals, transgenders, bisexuals, intersexuals, queer and other sexual identities and orientations). A few days ago the Pope’s response was published. Here you have the questions […]
To Pello Zabala, my travelling companion
/in Reflections, Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiMy dear Pello, I am dedicating this brief, humble, heartfelt tribute to you. In a way it is a futile attempt, because there are so many who have already praised your gifts and achievements better than I am capable of doing; so I congratulate everyone. I gladly endorse all the praise. So, I will be […]
Thich Nhat Hanh – “I am not here”
/in Dawns, Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiOn January 22nd, Thich Nhat Hanh, Vietnamese writer and poet, Zen buddist monk and teacher of life in mindfulness died at the age of 95. He was a peace activist. He fought in the VietNam and was persecuted both by the communist North as well as by US backed South. In 1972 he became a […]
Desmond Tutu, a light for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day
/in Dawns, Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiDied on December 26, the day after Christmas. He fought on all fronts: against apartheid, homophobia, inequality, racism, violence, racism and any violation of rights, as well as against a strict religious morality (which, for example, condemned euthanasia, contraceptives…). He always fought for peace and justice. And he was never complacent towards his Church, nor […]
We remember you, José Ellacuria
/in Dawns, Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiA year ago José Ellacuría went from this life (1928-2020) to shapeless Life. I celebrate this day in communion with those who continue loving him most and remembering him, bringing him to memory, to Life. This morning, very early in the morning, I have received this email from the person who was closest to him: […]
Ángel Mari Unzueta, travelling companion
/in Dawns, Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiIn the tribute that his family and friends paid to him in Urkiola, one year after his unexpected death: I greet you, Ángel Mari, in this place that you loved so much, Urkiola, crossroads of paths. You also had to live at the crossroads of two eras and two Churches, and you opted without […]
Theologian Bishop JOHN SHELBY SPONG died
/in Dawns, Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiJune 16, 1931 – September 12, 2021. Thank you, Brother John Shelby Spong! for your free, innovative, inspiring, prophetic theology! There are few theological giants who shape the way that entire generations relate to their sacred texts. Bishop John Shelby Spong, through his intelligence, kindness, and love of scripture, did just that. Bishop Spong […]
To Andrés Ortiz-Osés. Obituary
/in Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiI remember you, Andrés, in the corridor of the University of Deusto, your smile like that of a young boy and ingenuity in your eyes, philosopher in walking sneakers, on the verge of saying an aphorism or a paradox. May you rest in peace, tireless hermeneut of the invisible in the visible. Disolution as […]
Michel Berhocoirigoin. The death of a righteous man
/in Dawns, Witnesses to Light /by José ArregiAt the age of 69, before his time, Michel Berhocoirigoin left us quietly and peacefully. He was a big soul of the Basque country. Farmer, trader unionist, militant of the countryside, peasant of all struggles. He was brought to justice after he had registered in Basque the name of the farmer’s union he had founded. […]