José Ramón Villalón Sorzano (1929)

                José Ramón Villalón Sorzano

Biography and Education

José Ramón Villalón Sorzano (b. December 2, 1929, Havana, Cuba) is a philosopher, theologian, and professor known for his involvement in the Cuban Revolution’s student movement. He currently resides in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he has had a significant career in academia and media.

He joined the Congregation of the Brothers of La Salle at a young age, marking a 33-year phase of his life. He earned a Master’s in Elementary Education in Mexico with a thesis on childhood fears. Returning to Cuba, he completed studies in Philosophy and Letters at the University of Havana and pursued graduate credits in clinical psychology at the University of St. Thomas of Villanova. He was active in university politics, running for vice presidency of the University Student Federation, though his team lost to the group led by Commander Rolando Cubelas.

Villalón mastered several languages, including Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Hebrew, Latin, and Greek. In Rome, he obtained two degrees in theology and patristic and medieval history from the Pontifical Lateran University, where he also earned a doctorate in theology in 1970. He later studied archaeology in Israel, participating in excavations at Masada. He furthered his postdoctoral studies at the University of Tübingen, Germany, working closely with Professor Hans Küng.

Professional Career

After spending 12 years in Europe, Villalón engaged in discussions regarding the Cuban Revolution through institutions such as the Cuban Studies Institute and the Areíto magazine. He co-founded the Catholic Association “Padre Félix Varela,” which promoted dialogue between Cubans on and off the island.

In 1971, he moved to Puerto Rico to work at the Catholic University of Ponce (now the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico), where he served as a professor and later as the head of the theology department. He played a key role in creating innovative courses and postgraduate programs. In 1975, he left the La Salle order and married Olga Soler Bonnin, with whom he had four children. In 1996, he became a U.S. citizen.

Villalón pursued further studies in philosophy at the University of Puerto Rico and completed coursework in Hispanic Studies with a concentration in linguistics, passing the doctoral examination in this field. He continues to teach courses on Western civilization, professional ethics, and Ponce’s regional history at the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce.

As a strong advocate for human development and critical education, he collaborated with Dr. Ángel R. Villarini Jusino and was a key organizer of regional and international meetings on education and thought. He was a founding member and president of the Organization for the Promotion of Thought Development (OFDP), which fosters emancipatory education and has expanded across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Media and Commentary

Villalón directed a television program for the Diocese of Ponce, focusing on Christian doctrine. From 1976 to 1981, he co-hosted PARECERES, a daily radio news and commentary program, pioneering a conversational news format that influenced Spanish-language radio. He later served as a commentator on Católica TV in Puerto Rico, delivering lectures on Christian theology, particularly on the Holy Spirit. His expertise in religious matters has led to occasional appearances on various radio programs.

Publications and Intellectual Contributions

Villalón has written extensively on linguistics, literature, politics, democracy, and humanistic education. His philosophical work often explores mythology and transcendence. His most significant book, Sacraments dans l’esprit, was published in France in 1977. His approach to mythology avoids fundamentalism, allowing for both scientific reasoning and mythological thought to coexist. Philosopher and historian Dr. Carlos Rojas Osorio has included him in his study of exiled philosophers in Puerto Rico, recognizing Villalón’s contributions to rational and mythological discourse. 

José Ramón Villalón Sorzano has had a diverse and impactful career spanning theology, philosophy, education, and media. His work bridges academic, political, and religious discussions, emphasizing critical thought, humanistic education, and cultural dialogue. His contributions continue to shape intellectual and educational discourse in Puerto Rico and beyond.

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References 

Villalón Sorzano, J. R. (n.d.). José Ramón Villalón Sorzano. Ecured. Retrieved March 20, 2025, from https://www.ecured.cu/Jos%C3%A9_Ram%C3%B3n_Villal%C3%B3n_Sorzano

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