A Peruvian priest who founded liberation theology, a movement that advocated the Roman Catholic Church’s active role in fighting poverty and injustice but was dismissed by some as a Marxist, has died.
Father Gustavo Gutierrez died on Tuesday in his hometown of Lima at the age of 96.
He was a theologian turned Dominican monk whose 1971 book “Liberation Theology” revolutionized church teaching.
His progressive theories were embraced by many in his native Latin America but also met with opposition and even scorn from more conservative voices within the church.
He was criticized by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (who later became Pope Benedict XVI).
The cardinal worries that the “Marxist ideas” of liberation theology will fuel rebellion and division, going so far as to label it a “fundamental threat to the faith of the Church.”
Relations between the Vatican and Father Gutierrez softened after his fellow Latin American, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became pope.
Father Gutierrez praised Pope Francis for speaking of “building a poor Church for the poor.” In 2018, Pope Francis wrote a letter to Father Gutierrez on his 90th birthday, thanking him for “through Theological service and spiritual contribution to the Church and to humanity”. Prioritize care for the poor and those abandoned by society.”
Before becoming a priest, Gustavo Gutierrez studied medicine and literature in Peru, philosophy and psychology in Belgium, and theology in France.
While in Europe, he read the works of German philosopher Karl Marx.
His critics often say his emphasis on helping the poor is Marxist and denounce him as a communist.
Liberation theology became particularly controversial when pastors who followed radical liberation theology joined revolutionary movements such as the Nicaraguan Sandinista National Liberation Front, which overthrew the authoritarian government of the Somoza family.
But Father Gutierrez insists that his teachings, far from being revolutionary, are entirely rooted in the Bible.
He said that when he returned to Peru from Europe, he found that the church often “answered questions that were not asked,” meaning the church hierarchy had moved away from parishioners’ troubles, especially in poor areas.
He believes clergy have a lot to learn from the faithful in the poorest parishes, who, he says, demonstrate day after day how hope can emerge from suffering.
In his book The Hermeneutics of Hope, he recalls how he struggled with the view that prevailed among many believers at the time that we were born to suffer.
“No one is born to suffer, but to be happy,” he wrote. “Poverty is man-made; us These conditions have been put forward.
Described by parishioners as a “humble man with a great ability to make friends,” he combined his work as a theologian and top university lecturer with work as a pastor, officiating at weddings and running retreats.
Peruvian sociologist Félix Grández, who first met Father Gutiérrez at a spiritual retreat in 1978, said the priest exuded “a kind of passion that stems from doing good, from caring for the poor.” The happiness of dedication”.
Mr Grandes told the BBC that one of the priest’s gifts was distilling theology into a clear message that appealed to young people, and said he saw Fr Gutierrez officiating at Mr Grandes’ own wedding and that of his daughter This is what was done at the wedding.
“He was a well-known theologian, but the way he connected with people was through talking about chess, traditional music, movies and his support for the Lima League football club.”
Another parishioner who is married to Father Gutierrez said she was “deeply grateful for his life and all that he had done for the Church.”
