"Professor Villar was a true university man, a generous person, with a full disposition of service to the School of Theology and to the University, an indefatigable researcher and a professor committed to his students and colleagues". With these words María Iraburu, president of the University, described the professor and priest José Ramón Villar during the closing of the In Memoriam Ceremony held on the occasion of the first anniversary of his death, on April 10, 2021. He was Dean of the School of Theology from 2004 to 2010 and a theologian of recognized prestige in the field of ecclesiology and ecumenism, both nationally and internationally.

In her message, María Iraburu highlighted two aspects of her academic profile: firstly, her commitment to the mission statementof the University's Theology Schoolas lived by its founder, St. Josemaría Escrivá; and secondly, her ability to promote projects and mobilise people.

In this sense, he recalled that "we live in times of great changes and great opportunities" like those experienced by Schoolin its beginnings. And he encouraged the participants to keep in mind the three masterly lessons that Professor Villar taught us with his life: "A significant presence of theology in the university, a theology enriched by dialogue with other areas, and the ability to go beyond one's own vision to become involved in shared projects".

"Beyond his profession, his dedication to Schoolwas mission statement"

The event was also attended by the Deanof the Schoolof Theology, Gregorio Guitián; by the professor of the University, Pablo Blanco; by the professor of the SchoolTheology of the Nicolás Copérnico University of Torún (Poland), Piotr Roszak; and by the bishop emeritus of Almería, Monsignor Adolfo González Montes.

Gregorio Guitián introduced the event and emphasised the academic bequestand staffthat he has left at School: "He had clear ideas and wanted to carry them out with firmness and, above all, he was always there for whatever was needed. He knew that beyond his profession, his dedication to Schoolwas mission statement".

This idea was reinforced by Professor Pablo Blanco, who stressed that "to ask him for something was to know that he was going to do it soon and well". He gave an academic sketch of him and defined his bibliographical bequestas "admirable and worked with tenacity". Professor Villar "was a thoroughbred theologian", he said.

González Montes, b ishop emeritus of Almería, friend and colleague of Professor Villar, focused his words on the service he gave to ecumenism, from his incorporation as researcherof the Schooland disciple of Professor Pedro Rodríguez in 1983, until his death. "He was a theologian of permanent presence in ecumenical meetings inside and outside the country".

Finally, Professor Roszak described Professor José Ramón Villar's relationship with Poland and highlighted his involvement in fostering relations between the University of Navarra and the Nicolás Copérnico University of Torún. He also praised his interest in people and his contribution to the growth of the Polish university, as a result of which he received the 'Medal of Merit for the University development' on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the academic centre.