Death of Professor José Ramón Villar, former Dean of the University's Theology School

José Ramón Villar, professor of Systematic Theology and former Dean of the School of Theology of the University of Navarra, has died in Pamplona at the age of 62. Born in 1958 in La Almunia de Doña Godina (Zaragoza), he was a theologian of recognized prestige in the field of ecclesiology and ecumenism, both nationally and internationally.

Professor Villar was graduate at Civil Law from the University of Zaragoza and a Doctor of Theology from School of Theology at the University of Navarra. He was a member of Opus Dei and was ordained to the priesthood in 1986. In 1987 he began his activity professor at the University of Navarra as a professor at the department of Ecclesiology and Sacramental Theology. From 2000 he was Professor of Dogmatic Theology and since 2011 Full Professor of the same subject. Between 2004 and 2010 he held the position of Dean of the School of Theology.

Professor Villar was currently consultant of the Episcopal Commission for Interfaith Relations and a member of the Theological Advisory Commission of the Spanish Episcopal lecture , as well as a member of the scientific committee of several international theological journals and coordinator of the Chair of Ecumenism of the University of Navarra.

He was the author of several works, such as Teología de la iglesia particular; Eclesiología y Ecumenismo; Iglesia, Ministerio episcopal y Ministerio petrino; and El high school Episcopal. He also coordinated the publication of the Dictionary of Ecclesiology and the Dictionary of the Second Vatican Council, in addition to actively participating in congresses and debates of his specialization program. His lines of research have focused on the reception of the Second Vatican Council, the unity of the Church and ecumenical dialogue, the mission statement of the Church, the theology of the laity and ecclesial ministry.

José Ramón Villar considered his theological work as part of his priestly service. This service led him to take care for years of numerous international priests, students at the University of Navarra, directing two priestly residences. He was also professor of Ecumenism at the Centro Superior de programs of study Teológicos "San Miguel Arcángel" in Pamplona.

A pillar of School of Theology

"On behalf of those of us who work in the School of Theology, I wish to express our sincere recognition to someone who was a true pillar of the School and a reference of professionalism in theological work. He was a man of determination -it was clear that he was from Aragon-, he combined an enormous capacity for work with an open availability for whatever was needed", emphasized Gregorio Guitián, current Dean of the School of Theology.

"Throughout his academic degree program , truncated prematurely, he rendered numerous services to the School, of which he was director of the department of Systematic Theology, director of research and Dean", has pointed out Professor Guitián, who added that the news of the death of José Ramón Villar has caused deep sorrow: "Although we knew of his serious illness, he had improved in the previous months and we held out hope for his recovery. May he rest in peace and God rest his soul".