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Father Gustavo Gutiérrez, Pioneer of Liberation Theology, Passes Away at 96
A prominent figure in the Catholic Church, Father Gustavo Gutiérrez, who was instrumental in establishing liberation theology, has died at the age of 96. He passed away in his hometown of Lima, Peru, on Tuesday.
Gutiérrez, a Dominican friar and theologian, transformed religious discourse with the publication of his seminal work, Theology of Liberation, in 1971. This text championed a more engaged role for the Church in addressing issues of poverty and social injustice, a stance that garnered both fervent support and staunch opposition.
Although liberation theology found a warm reception among many Latin Americans seeking social reform, it also faced criticism from conservative elements within the Church. One of its most vocal detractors was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI. Ratzinger expressed concerns that the Marxist underpinnings of liberation theology could incite rebellion and undermine the faith itself, labeling it a “fundamental threat.”
However, relationships between Gutiérrez and the Vatican improved after Jorge Mario Bergoglio ascended to the papacy as Pope Francis. Gutiérrez acknowledged the Pope’s advocacy for “a poor Church for the poor,” and in 2018, he received a personal letter from Francis on his 90th birthday, expressing gratitude for Gutiérrez’s contributions to the Church and his commitment to the marginalized.
Before dedicating himself to the priesthood, Gutiérrez pursued studies in medicine and literature in Peru, followed by philosophy and psychology in Belgium, and theology in France. His time in Europe exposed him to the writings of Karl Marx, which later led his critics to accuse him of promoting Marxist ideology through his emphasis on social justice.
The controversy surrounding liberation theology escalated particularly when clergy aligned with its radical interpretation participated in revolutionary activities, such as the Sandinistas’ fight against the repressive Somoza regime in Nicaragua. Nevertheless, Gutiérrez consistently maintained that his teachings were deeply rooted in biblical principles rather than any revolutionary agenda.
Upon returning to Peru, Gutiérrez observed that the Church often engaged in irrelevant discourse, detached from the urgent issues facing impoverished communities. He highlighted the need for clergy to learn from the experiences of the faithful in these areas, who displayed resilience and hope even amid dire circumstances.
In his reflective work The Hermeneutic of Hope, Gutiérrez challenged the pervasive belief among many that suffering was a predetermined state. He argued convincingly, “No one is born to suffer, but to be happy. Poverty is a human construction; we have made these conditions.”
Known for his humility and ability to connect with people, Gutiérrez balanced his theological work with pastoral duties, officiating at weddings and leading spiritual retreats. Félix Grández, a sociologist who met Gutiérrez during a spiritual retreat in 1978, described the priest as radiating happiness derived from his commitment to uplifting the poor.
Grández noted that Gutiérrez had a unique talent for simplifying complex theological concepts into relatable messages, establishing rapport not only through faith but also through discussions on topics like chess, traditional music, cinema, and sports, particularly his support for the Alianza Lima football club.
Another parishioner expressed profound appreciation for Gutiérrez’s life and contributions to the Church, underscoring the impact he made during his remarkable eight-decade-long vocation.
Source
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