VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Since I was a kid, I have been drawn to the library. I was not involved in sports or any type of athleticism. You could find me in the public library, volunteering or reading. If you were to visit my office today, you would find a lot of books. Systematic theology is what I like to read.
My special interest is the theology of Vatican II and its history. I really have a passion for Vatican II. Among my favorite authors are 20th-century scholars such as Rahner, de Lubac, Ratzinger, Congar and von Balthasar. As we are the post-Vatican II church, and many of us were not alive when it took place, I feel it is important that Catholics and other Christians should understand, “What is the theology of Vatican II?”
Most times, we think we know what the council was critiquing, off of what we have heard from second-or third-hand sources. But these are not the primary sources, the 16 documents themselves. I feel it is important for future ministers of the church — both clergy and laity — to have a strong foundation in the theology of Vatican II.
In the winter of 2019, I had the opportunity to teach as an adjunct faculty member for the master’s of pastoral theology program at Chaminade University of Honolulu. It was a class on the “new evangelization.” Although at the Newman Center I am in the atmosphere of learning and being with learned people, I was very nervous for the first class. There I was, a 31-year-old instructing the candidates for the diaconate, their wives and other students in higher education. But I was able to do it and feel more confident teaching. I have gained a lot of skills since. Perhaps in the future, I may further my studies, God willing.
With God’s grace, difficulties can be met. I need God’s grace. In all of my ministerial responsibilities as well as in my personal responsibility as a disciple of Jesus, I know that without God’s grace I would not be able to do everything. This, coupled with prayer, keeping up with my studies and the reading of Scripture are very important. It is also important to self-care. Making sure I take my day off and take it seriously, along with having a group of friends — priest friends that I can just be with, is also important.
During this time of COVID-19, we have to do things differently. At Newman Center, because most classes are online at the University of Hawaii, the majority of our regular students did not return to campus. We do have students in the dorm, however, and new students who stumbled upon us. Programming has been difficult with some being in-person, as social distancing allows. But mostly all our programs are held virtually. Instead of Sunday dinners and fellowship, we do Sunday take-out for the students. I really feel, as a pastor, that it is important that students have a home-cooked meal every Sunday.
My advice during the pandemic? Don’t lose hope. Stay connected to Christ, especially as disciples. And even in the midst of this pandemic, strive to be a saint in whatever circumstances you are living in now.
Father Alfred Omar B. Guerrero is a diocesan priest from Kalihi, Oahu. He has been ordained three years. He is pastor and director of campus ministry at the Newman Center/Holy Spirit Parish in Manoa. He will teach a course on the history and theology of Vatican II for the spring master’s of pastoral theology program at Chaminade University.
