Rev. Daniel G. Groody, C.S.C., associate professor of theology and director of the Center for Latino Spirituality and Culture at the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Latino Studies, has received two awards for recent publications from the Catholic Press Association (CPA).
The awards, one for Father Groody’s book “Gustavo Gutierrez: Spiritual Writings,” and another for an article titled “A Theology of Migration,” which Father Groody wrote for America magazine, were announced last month at the CPA’s annual meeting in Indianapolis.
“Gustavo Gutierrez: Spiritual Writings” was awarded first place in the category of books on spirituality. The book is a collection of writings, edited and selected by Father Groody, from the works of Father Gutierrez, John Cardinal O’Hara Professor of Theology at Notre Dame and a pioneer of liberation theology. The judges praised the book for presenting Father Gutierrez as “the spiritual master of all who align themselves with the poor and oppressed.”
Father Groody’s article “A Theology of Migration” won America magazine first place in the category of best coverage of immigration. The autobiographical article was praised as an account of “one man’s personal journey, experiences and reflections” that “never loses the big picture. Everyone should approach immigration thus.”
Father Groody said that he was grateful to have his work acknowledged by the awards, but added, “I know deep down that they point well beyond me to the fundamental importance of this issue, the Church’s engagement with migrants and all other poor and marginalized people, and the urgent need to respond to those who are struggling for more dignified lives.”
Father Groody spent many years doing pastoral work and research in Latin America and along the U.S.- Mexican border, particularly in the Coachella Valley of California, where he worked from 1997 to 1999. In addition to the numerous books and articles he has written on U.S. Latino spirituality, globalization and the relationship of Christian spirituality to social justice, he has produced documentary films including “One Border, One Body: Immigration and the Eucharist” and “Dying to Live: A Migrant’s Journey.”
Contact: Father Groody, 574-631-5069, dgroody@nd.edu
Originally published by at news.nd.edu on July 12, 2012.