Culture Ministry Launches the New Books by Authors Honored at Book Fair 2011

Culture Ministry Launches the New Books by Authors Honored at Book Fair 2011
Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, 05/15/2011

The Board of Directors of the XIV International Book Fair launched several books including “El quehacer de la Iglesia dominicana (1511-2011)” (The Work of the Dominican Church 1511-2011), by Father Luis Sáez and “Mientras nosotros decíamos paz, ellos gritaban guerra” (We Said Peace, They Shouted War), by Monsignor Francisco José Arnaiz. The book launch took place in the Honored Authors Hall of the Museum of the Dominican Man.

Throughout the book, the author relates to and opines dialogically about the 500 years of history. Arevalo said the book is a descriptive and chronological view of the ecclesiastic government.

Alejandro Arvelo, Director of the Book Fair, oversaw the book launch ceremony. He was accompanied by Monsignor Ramón Benito de la Rosa y Carpio, Monsignor Amancio Escapa, Agripino Núñez Collado and Monsignor Rafael Bello Peguero.

In introducing Father Saez’s “El quehacer de la Iglesia dominicana (1511-2011),” Mr. Arvelo said the book delves into the most diverse issues possible from an analytical and contextual point of view as it deals with the relationship between the church and the state. Throughout the book, the author relates to and opines dialogically about the 500 years of history. Arevalo said the book is a descriptive and chronological view of the ecclesiastic government.

Likewise, it also looks at the vow of poverty taken by the first friars and priests who preached the gospel to the indigenous people. This was the case with the Dominican Order who were threatened with expulsion from the island because of their outspoken  defense of the indigenous people.

He said one of the notable characteristics of Sáez’s book is its frankness and sincerity as it makes no attempt to sugarcoat the truth.

Speaking about Monsignor Arnaiz’s book, and “Mientras nosotros decíamos paz, ellos gritaban Guerra,” Arevalo said it dealt with current issues, reflections and thoughts, from the beginning to the end. The book, he explained, suggests a new humanism and vision for humankind, society and the future, as it proposes that another type of worldview is possible. 

As a book that examines the eternal issue of war and peace, said Arevalo, it contemplates the contrast between human beings – the only creatures on the planet who engage in annihilation among themselves.

In his book, Arnaiz suggests that the key to these problems lies in Christ, the Son of God and faith as a solution to the various conflicts going on among human beings today.

At the end of the event, Monsignor Arnaiz and Father José Luis Sáez thanked the Ministry of Culture for having published their books.

 Book covers

Padre José Luis Sáez and Monsignor Arnaiz