Francisco Del Río, O.P. (1902-1984): Educator and Theologian

In his article on Francisco Del Rio, OP (1902-1984), the author presents him as a remarkable educator and a distinguished theologian of the twentieth century in the Philippines. He “reads” Del Rio today, that is, forty years after his death. Hence, the writer takes note of relevant magisterial and theological texts through the last four decades. The author studies Del Rio’s educational and theological contribution in five concrete themes. He begins by showing Del Rio as a leading educator of the youth and by underlining the moral and religious dimensions of Christian education. In the second section of the article, Del Rio is presented as an outstanding moral theologian, and in the third part, as an excellent ethicist, particularly on issues of health care ethics. In the fourth part, the author focuses on two topics Del Rio loved to debate: the mission of the theologian and the Magisterium of the Church. Finally, the writer tries to show the continuing relevance of Del Rio as an educator, theologian and bioethicist. Reading the many and divergent comments published on Pope Francis Amoris Laetitia (2016), one is taken back to the controversy over Paul VI Humanae Vitae (HV, 1968). Del Rio’s engaging dialogue and debate over the context and text of HV is worth re-reading today. Moreover, his constant call to holiness for all, including in particular priests and theologians, continues to be most relevant today: prius vita quam doctrina.