Gustavo Gutierrez, Father of Liberation Theology, Passes Away at 96

 

Gustavo Gutierrez, a renowned Peruvian priest and pivotal figure in Latin American liberation theology, has died at the age of 96. He passed away on Tuesday night in Lima, as confirmed by the Dominican Order of Peru, although the cause of death has not been disclosed.

Gutierrez was a prominent Catholic theologian and philosopher, best known for his influential 1971 work, A Theology of Liberation. In this groundbreaking book, he argued that Christian salvation encompasses not only spiritual redemption but also the liberation of individuals from material and political oppression. He famously stated, “The future of history belongs to the poor and exploited.”

Cardinal-designate Archbishop Carlos Castillo of Lima remembered Gutierrez as a devoted theologian who prioritized faith over material wealth. Castillo remarked, “Small as he was, he knew how to announce the Gospel to us with strength and courage in his smallness.”

Gutierrez’s ideas resonated deeply with many who were frustrated by the widespread inequality and dictatorships in Latin America during the 1960s and 1970s. He inspired numerous activists, including Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, who was assassinated in 1980 for his outspoken opposition to human rights abuses during the country’s civil conflict.

Initially, the Vatican condemned liberation theology, accusing it of harboring Marxist ideas, and took measures to discipline some of its supporters. However, Gutierrez himself was never subjected to such sanctions. In a 2015 interview, he noted that while liberation theology was never outright condemned, the Holy See had engaged in “very critical dialogue” with its proponents and acknowledged that there were “difficult moments.”

The election of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, shifted the Vatican’s focus towards social justice and the plight of the poor, leading to a renewed interest in liberation theology. On Gutierrez’s 90th birthday in 2018, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude in a letter, thanking him for his contributions to the Church and for his unwavering love for the marginalized in society.