Antonio Aranda, priest and Professor Emeritus of the School of Theology, died last night in Pamplona at the age of 80. Born in Cordoba (December 22, 1942), in 1965 he graduated in Mathematics at the Complutense University of Madrid and later moved to Rome to study theology at programs of study .

In 1967 he joined as a student at the Theological Institute of the University, then located in the premises of the Cathedral of Pamplona, where he was part of the first class. In 1972 he defended his doctoral thesis thesis in Theology, directed by Professor Lucas F. Mateo Seco and entitled El Espíritu Santo en los símbolos de la fe (siglos II-IV) (The Holy Spirit in the symbols of faith (II-IV centuries).

Professor Aranda, retired since 2013, focused his work professor and research on Trinitarian theology, Christology and theological anthropology, subjects on which he has published numerous works of research. The last of them 'In the image of God in Christ' is published in June of this year in the publishing house EUNSA. Especially in recent years he has focused his research on the spirit of Opus Dei. The result of this are the works El hecho teológico y pastoral del Opus Dei: una indagación en las fuentes fundacionales (EUNSA, 2020), or the critical-historical editions of Amigos de Dios (Rialp, 2019) or Es Cristo que pasa (Rialp, 2013).

He was director of the journals Scripta Theologica (1989-1993) and Annales Theologici ( 1995-1998) and Dean of the School of Theology of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross (Rome) from 1994 to 1998.

He was a member of the Royal Academy of Doctors of Spain, the Spanish Mariological Society and the scientific committees and advisor of the Josemaría Escrivá Historical Institute. He also participated as an expert in the 2012 Synod of Bishops on 'The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith'.

Sower of peace and joy

Professor Juan Luis Bastero met Professor Aranda in Madrid in 1963 at the Moncloa, when they were both studying at the Complutense University. high school Mayor Moncloa, when they were both studying at the Complutense University and later they have shared the faculty at the School of Theology of the University:

"Don Antonio was a person of clear intelligence, profound in his thinking and faithful to the divine call. He was close to attention and concerned for others. A priest who loved his ministry and who always tried to bring souls closer to God. Behind his appearance of a serious person, there was a great capacity for welcoming, a sincere concern for others together with a fine humor that manifested itself in unexpected ways.

As the years went by, in spite of his precarious health, his interest in those around him was evident and he tried to be hidden and helpful to everyone. He did not want to bother anyone, but, on the contrary, following the spirit of St. Josemaría, he wanted to be a 'sower of peace and joy.