Rev. Robert Pelton, CSC

Concurrent Professor, Theology; Director Emeritus, Institute for Pastoral and Social Ministry; Director, Latin American/North American Church Concerns
(STD, St. Thomas University, Rome, 1952)
319 Hesburgh Center
574-631-8528
email: rpelton@nd.edu
www.nd.edu/~theo

Geographic focus: Latin America

Thematic interests: The Catholic Church; ecclesial base communities; liberation theology; the Cuban Church.

Research interests: The Catholic Church; the Fifth General Conference of the Latin American Bishops (CELAM) in Aparecida, Brazil 2007; other major meetings of CELAM after Vatican II.

Selected publications:

“North America,” in James O’Halloran, ed., Living Cells (Columba Press, 2010)
“A Preferential and Evangelizing Option for the Poor: The Catholic Church from Medellin to Aparecida,” in Lee M. Penyak and Walter J. Petry, eds., Religion and Society in Latin America (Orbis Books, 2009)
Aparecida: Quo Vadis? (general editor, University of Scranton Press, 2008)
Archbishop Romero (University of Scranton Press, 2006)
Monsignor Romero: A Bishop of the Third Millennium (ed., University of Notre Dame Press, 2004)
The Future of Our Past (coauth., Diamond Communications, South Bend, 2001)
Small Christian Communities: Imagining Future Church (ed., University of Notre Dame Press, 1997)
From Power to Communion (University of Notre Dame Press, 1994)

General editor, University of Scranton Press Series: “Peace, Justice, Human Rights, and Freedom in Latin America, in Honor of Archbishop Óscar Romero, Martyr and Prophet.” Series includes:

The Surprising Adventures of Balthazar, by Claudio Orrego Vicuna (trans. Christine Cervenak, 2011)
Vessel of Clay: The Inspirational Journey of Sister Carla, by Jacqueline Hansen Maggiore (2010)
Archbishop Romero: A Disciple Who Revealed the Glory of God, by Damian Zynda (2010)

Honors:

Latin American Studies Association Award for Merit in the film Monseñor (2012).

In the media:

Pelton on Possible Successor to Pope (WNDU article, Feb 12)
Pelton on Pope Francis’ simplicity and conservatism (Washington Post article, March 13)
Pelton on how Argentina poverty will affect Pope Francis (Wall Street Journal video, Segment 1, Segment 2, Segment 3, March 14)