Juan Luis Lorda, Professor of Theology
Obituary. Lucas Francisco Mateo Seco
We had heard this distinguished theologian and professor say it hundreds of times over the decades: "I am dying in spurts". He said it with his Sevillian wit, which he never lost. And with a convinced tone, which did not seem entirely true, nor entirely untrue. This time it was true. He was prepared.
Until a few years ago it was not true, because he was a personality with a small body but full of energy and always on the move. Fun and funny, withrrente, with fits of genius that also had something theatrical about them. The cold did not suit him, he who liked to talk so much. He wrapped up warmly, and longed for the good weather of his native Seville, which he visited on vacations and where he always maintained excellent friendships. But he loved Pamplona; and when he retired he stayed here, near his School of Theology and San Lorenzo, where he collaborated with so much pleasure for many years.
He was, above all, a great teacher. Always admired, loved, accompanied and somewhat feared by his students. His classes, like those of good teachers, were a representation. Of knowledge, because he knew a lot of theology and a lot of Philosophy, in addition to a long experience of life. But there was also a lot of staging: he emphasized, gesticulated andHe emphasized, gesticulated, got excited, shouted, whispered, made sparkling comments to one and all. No one could remain indifferent, let alone fall asleep. No two classes were alike. For this reason, he was elected year after year by the students patron of the graduating class. He was attentive to those who were preparing with him for the doctoral thesis and he has left disciples everywhere.
Giving class was the most apparent and also, surely, what he liked the most. But he made it compatible with a lot of work of office. Big figures in the classroom are not usually good for the hidden work . But he was always a hard worker, in the office, in the Library Services; and, surely, also at home at night, because if not, it is not explained how he could write so much.
Moreover, in the last decades, instead of going down, he went up. He wrote several books, a couple of theological dictionaries, many articles and two thick manuals, besides participating in international meetings and collaborating in the theological societies of which he was a member.
theological societies of which he was a member.
Moreover, in the last decades, instead of going down, he went up. He wrote several books, a couple of theological dictionaries, many articles and two thick manuals, besides participating in international meetings and collaborating in the theological societies of which he was a member.
theological societies of which he was a member.
B Perhaps the most important and the most difficult thing has been his efforts to bring out two theological journals: the one of the School, Scripta Theologica, and another one of Spanish scope, Scripta de Maria. Requesting originals, dealing with the authors, translating, revising and correcting, correcting and correcting. Immense amounts of time that perhaps no one values, because they do not appear anywhere, but which are necessary to keep the journals alive. He did it with the best disposition and without thinking at all about his own interests. He had that good disposition. And all united to a priestly spirit, because he was never just a professor, or a theologian writer, or a director of journal. He was a priest in St. Lawrence and everywhere else. A few years ago, the University of Navarra recognized his many services by awarding him the gold medal. May he die.