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| the book of dr. ibarra m. gonzalez |
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| dr. ibarra m. gonzalez |
ON DECEMBER 9, 1976, exactly 43 years ago, my late wife Victoria Arcega and I were married in church by then Fr. Nim Gonzalez, a Jesuit with whom we did some volunteer work at the height of martial law. Now, he is known as Dr. Nim (Nim stands for Nestor Ibarra M.)
He has since left the priesthood, got a doctorate degree and has now come out with a book, “Confessions of an Ex-Jesuit”, published by San Anselmo Publications. It was launched on December 8 at the Faber Hall in Ateneo de Manila where he used to be the head of communication department.
In his book, he wrote about what made him decide to leave the clergy and also about his work in communications and his ministry of healing. In the book’s introduction, Dr. Gonzalez presents a letter to a friend and fellow priest named Rodel. Dr. Gonzalez’s message reveals a struggle for discernment that both the religious and lay people can relate to.
He says, “What did God want from me? I was not in trouble with the institution; I never had problems with my superiors or fellow Jesuits. I was a very happy Jesuit, tired and overworked, yes, but that was no reason to leave 35 years of happy religious life behind and move to an uncertain future.”
Rev. Fr. Jose de Leon, SJ of the Ateneo de Manila, describes Confessions of An Ex-Jesuit as “a stimulating reading that gives an appropriate mirror of human existence in our most turbulent times.” Critic and communication professor Isagani Cruz PhD, of De La Salle University, says that the author follows in the footsteps of National Artist for Literature NVM Gonzalez, who happens to be Dr. Gonzalez’s father.
Dr. Cruz explains, “Nim Gonzalez is both NVM Gonzalez and not. Nim has the same deceptive simplicity of expression, the same effortless profundity, the same genuine concern for the reader. But he is also Nim and not NVM…. As we follow Nim recollecting the twists and turns of his life on earth, we sense a presence that cannot be natural.”
Dr. Cruz then concludes, “Nim is his father’s son, but more precisely, his Father’s son.” Copies of Confessions of An Ex-Jesuit can be purchased online via order at www.sananselmopress.net and through San Anselmo Publications page on Facebook. For inquiries, call tel. no. 8584-5074.
