ROME — Peruvian theologian Father Gustavo Gutiérrez, widely known as the father of liberation theology, died Tuesday, leaving behind a legacy mixed with faith, social justice and Marxism.
Born in Lima on June 8, 1928, Gutierrez is best known for his groundbreaking work. liberation theology (1971), the namesake of liberation theology, re-envisioned the role of the church in Latin America through a Marxist lens.
Gutierrez, a Dominican priest, has dedicated his life to interpreting Christian teachings in a way that prioritizes the plight of the marginalized and oppressed, seeking to align the teachings of the Gospel with social justice movements. I tried.
Pope Francis celebrated his birthday in 2018 letter He thanked Gutierrez for his “theological service” to the Church and humanity.
“I am writing this letter to congratulate you on your 90th birthday and to ensure that you convey my prayers at this important moment in your life,” Francis wrote.
“I join you in thanking God,” the Pope continued. ”
“Thank you for all your efforts and the ways in which you appeal to the conscience of each person so that no one remains indifferent in the face of the drama of poverty and exclusion,” the Pope wrote.
in liberation theologyGutierrez analyzed Viewing the situation in Latin America through the prism of oppressors and oppressed, he argued that poverty is always the result of sin, and proposed a political theology of change.
Gutierrez advocated a “fundamental reform of the private property system'' as well as a “social revolution'' that would enable change to a “socialist society.''
In 1984, under the patronage of Pope John Paul II, the Vatican Doctrine Congregation, headed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, instruction of the title Libertatis NuntiusThis was a sharp critique of liberation theology, or what some might call “theology” given its many and varied expressions.
This doctrine criticized liberation theology for creating a “disastrous confusion between the Biblical 'poor' and Marx's 'proletariat',” resulting in a perversion of the Christian meaning of the poor. He also accused liberation theology of turning the fight for the rights of the poor into “class struggle within an ideological perspective of class struggle.”
The document also notes that in “certain regions of Latin America,” recognition of injustice is “accompanied by pathos, borrowed from Marxist language, and falsely presented as if it were scientific language.” He also pointed out.
Just two years later, the Vatican published its second text on Liberation Theology. libertatis conciencia.
The 1986 document was issued as a complement to the first document, correcting errors in liberation theology exposed by previous guidance and “emphasizing key elements of Christian doctrine regarding freedom and liberation.” was aimed at.
The Catholic Church has always favored giving special consideration to the poor and disadvantaged, and this is encapsulated in its principle:preferred option However, the Vatican reacted strongly to the dialectical materialism typical of Marxist communism and its advocacy of class struggle and violent revolution.
Pope John Paul II, who lived for years under communist rule in his native Poland and ultimately contributed to the collapse of the Soviet system, had no illusions about Marxism and its fallacies, and was convinced that Marxism was a fundamental part of the national structure. Every effort has been made to prevent this from infiltrating. A church disguised as liberation theology.
In their role as monitors of doctrine, cardinals Ratzinger He called liberation theology a “peculiar heresy” and a “fundamental threat” to the church.
Pope Francis, on the other hand, was somewhat sympathetic to the socialist worldview, although he condemned the materialism that underlies Marxism.
Just months after the 2013 election, Pope Francis gave a personal lecture. meeting The interview took place at the same time as Gutierrez's interview at the Vatican. Rosselvatore Romanothe Vatican's semi-official newspaper. The essay argued that because Francis is the first pope from Latin America, liberation theology can no longer “remain in the shadows it has been relegated to for several years, at least in Europe.”
In early 2017, Pope Francis went even further, publicly defending liberation theology in Latin America as “positive.”
in a long sentence interview Spanish leftist daily El Pais“Liberation theology has been good for Latin America,” the pope said, but acknowledged there were “deviations” that needed to be corrected.
“The part of Liberation Theology that chose a Marxist analysis of reality was condemned by the Vatican,” Francis said.
“Although there were positive aspects to liberation theology, there were also deviations, especially in the area of Marxist analysis of reality,” he said.
Have a great 2015 revelationa highest-ranking Cold War defector, argued that liberation theology was not a grassroots Latin American phenomenon, but rather was created by the KGB, which exported liberation theology to Latin America as a means of introducing Marxism to the continent.
Ion Mihai Pasepa was a three-star general and former head of communist Romania's secret police who defected to the United States in 1978. called “The most important defector of the Cold War era.'' Mr. Pasepa worked with the CIA for more than a decade, making what the agency called “an important and unique contribution to the United States.''
“Liberation Theology has generally been understood to be a fusion of Marxism and Christianity. What is not understood is that it is not the product of Christians who pursued communism, but the product of communists who pursued Christianity. That means it was.'' Pasepa said.
