What's happened
Gustavo Gutiérrez, a pivotal figure in liberation theology, passed away at 96. His influential work, 'A Theology of Liberation,' emphasized the church's duty to advocate for the poor. His ideas reshaped contemporary theology and sparked debates within the Catholic Church about social justice and poverty.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Gutiérrez was hailed as 'the father of liberation theology' and emphasized the church's duty to advocate for the poor. His landmark book, 'A Theology of Liberation,' argued that 'only authentic solidarity with the poor' is necessary for theological discussions on poverty. The New York Times highlighted that his ideas have become central to Catholic social teaching, stating, 'We love God by loving our neighbor.' However, his work faced criticism for its Marxist influences, as noted by The Guardian, which mentioned that some church members viewed his approach as too radical. Despite this, Gutiérrez's legacy continues to influence contemporary discussions on social justice within the church.
How we got here
Gutiérrez's work emerged during the 1960s and 1970s in Latin America, a period marked by social upheaval. His theology argued for a preferential option for the poor, challenging traditional church teachings that focused on the afterlife rather than addressing poverty in the present.
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Gustavo Gutiérrez Merino (born 8 June 1928) is a Peruvian philosopher, Catholic theologian, and Dominican priest, regarded as one of the founders of Latin American liberation theology. He currently holds the John Cardinal O'Hara Professorship of Theolog
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