Leeds Trinity University is to host the ‘Romero Lecture’, an annual talk toured across the UK by the London-based Romero Trust, to raise awareness and celebrate the life and work of Archbishop Oscar Romero. 

Organised in partnership between Leeds Trinity’s Director for Catholic Mission and The Justice and Peace Commission of the Diocese of Leeds, the 2024 lecture will be delivered by Dr Raymond Perrier. Dr Perrier is the founding Director of the Denis Hurley Centre – a community centre in the heart of Durban, South Africa which brings together different faith groups to help the poor and marginalised. Dr Perrier's wider work has contributed to tackling homelessness and providing resources to religious leaders who wish to become more inclusive. 

The lecture, Prayerful and Prophetic Resilience in the Face of Injustice – Archbishops Oscar Romero and Denis Hurley, will explore how people can become and stay motivated in continuing their work providing hope, social justice and peace in a world with an ever-growing list of issues in need of solutions. Dr Perrier will refer to the lives of Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador who was assassinated in the 1980s due to hatred for his work with the less fortunate people in his community, and Bishop Denis Hurley, former Archbishop of Durban in South Africa and an outspoken critic of the Government during the Apartheid era. 

Dr Ann Marie Mealey said: “We are thrilled to host the annual Romero Lecture for the second consecutive year. It is always a great reminder of how faith can be put into action and it’s an opportunity for us to come together, reflect and seek ways of supporting society’s most vulnerable. 

“The lecture also supports Leeds Trinity University’s Catholic Mission, which includes promoting the principles of dignity, respect, social justice, equality and inclusion and centres around education for hope.”

Julian Filochowski, Chair of the Archbishop Romero Trust, said: “The likes of St Oscar Romero and Archbishop Denis Hurley provide great examples of how to ‘stay the course’ and remain resilient in the face of the many obstacles to creating a fairer world.” 

The talk is free to attend and is open to students, staff, alumni and the wider community. For more information and to book, visit the event page.