THE PASSING OF A ONE OF A KIND RELIGIOUS THINKER
The world of religion has lost one of its most revered and dreaded figures on 10, February 2023 when Father Gustavo Gutiérrez: the Peruvian priest of age 96 who is considered as the founder of liberation theology, breathed his last in Lima. His death now closes a chapter on a time when the Catholic Church’s attitude towards poverty and social justice underwent a transformative metamorphosis.
ONE OF THE MOST LEARNED SCHOLARS OF THE MODERN AGE
Before hitting the shores of his priest’s collar, Gutiérrez has an interesting learning curve, Quite a journey to begin with. He did not begin in theology – instead, first, he started in medicine, and literature in his native Peru. His academic trajectory then brought him over the Atlantic to Belgium, where he studied philosophy and psychology, moving to France for theological training. It was during these years that he stayed in Europe that he came across the Francios Marx works which later on raised intense controversies over his teachings.
RELIGION TEACHING PEOPLE ABOUT OTHER THINGS
That same year, Gutiérrez completed his dissertation’s thesis, which had the same title, “Theology of Liberation.” In all this, it was not only a particular case of a number of theories and concepts being brought to Christianity or Catholicism, but ideology with the heroinen as to why such moral should exist in the first place anowe called a case for liberation.
It put forward the view that the Catholic Church did not have just a doctrinal role but had to take practical action such as fighting poverty and social injustice.
CONTROVERSY AND CRITICISM
None of these radical ideas were embraced by all of the sections of the society. The most pronounced resistance was from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger who was later to be a pope Benedict. Ratzinger regarded liberation theology as a dangerous synthesis of Marxist concepts with Catholic doctrine, and even termed it a ‘fundamental threat to the faith of the Church’. Gutiérrez was quickly attacked with some calling him a communist because of his emphasis on the need to work with the poor.
A CHANGING TIDE
The winds of change were felt with the election of Jorge Mario Bergoglio now Pope Francis. The first pope from the region changed the stance of the Vatican with respect to liberation theology. In 2018, Francis even wrote Gutiérrez a warm 90th birthday card in which he commended his scholarly works and his commitment to the most vulnerable people in society.
THE MAN BEHIND THE THEOLOGY
Gutiérrez was evidently an influential figure across the globe yet he remained very simple. He was described by some of his acquaintances as a modest individual who enjoyed chess, traditional music and was even a loyal fan of Alianza Lima football club.
Félix Grández, a sociologist from Peru, who made the acquaintances of Gutiérrez on a spiritual retreat in 1978, describes him as a person full of joy that comes from serving others.
PASTORAL MINISTRY
Gutiérrez’s thing was that unlike some of his colleagues, who have their heads in the clouds, Gutiérrez never entirely detached himself from the practical side of priestly ministry. He didn’t just teach about wedding ceremonies: he was still performing them, integrating retreats, and actively engaging himself with his vocation. He had a knack for delivering intricate theological concepts to the masses.
THE CENTRAL THOUGHT
He tirelessly combated the assumption that suffering was the normal condition of man. In ‘The hermeneutic of hope’ he had the confidence to claim that no man was created to suffer – but to bring laughter. Poverty, these theologians assert, is not the normal situation but a product of human beings – and, therefore, an artefact that can be transformed.
THE IMPACT
With the news of his passing spreading out, there are many who seem to be increasingly remembering what he stood for. One of his former parishioners reminisces such a moment with Reverend Lestien. He says that the priest showed up at their wedding with “great honor to him” and that he contributed much to the church. He had much more influence than just in Peru. Many religious leaders and social activists continue to follow in his footsteps throughout Latin America and further. This humble priest from Lima dared the powerful Catholic Church to revisit its position in the community, suggesting that genuine faith can’t be separable from social injustice.
Although there was a controversy around his ideas, his commitment to integrating theological reflection with practical ministry contributed to the development of religious and social movements in Latin America and other regions of the world.
Category: World News
Tags: #LIBERATION_THEOLOGY #GUSTAVO_GUTIERREZ #RELIGIOUS_HISTORY #LATIN_AMERICAN_THEOLOGY
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