Background
- Liberation theology emerged in Latin America during the 1960s and 1970s, when many countries were facing poverty, inequality, and political repression.
- It represented a new approach within the Catholic Church, linking Christian faith with social justice and activism.
- The movement encouraged priests and laypeople to stand with the poor and challenge oppressive systems.
- It was influenced by Marxist social analysis, the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), and the Medellín Conference (1968), where Latin American bishops called for a “preferential option for the poor.”
Definition
Liberation Theology
- Liberation Theology is a Christian movement that emerged in Latin America in the late 1960s, interpreting religious faith through the struggles of the poor and oppressed
Origins
- Widespread poverty and inequality in Latin America motivated clergy to question the Church’s traditional role as aligned with elites.
- The Cuban Revolution (1959) inspired a generation of activists to believe in change through social reform.
- The Second Vatican Council modernized Catholic teachings, urging engagement with real-world issues.
- The Medellín Conference (1968) in Colombia officially recognized the need for the Church to address poverty and injustice.
- Priests like Gustavo Gutiérrez (Peru) and Leonardo Boff (Brazil) developed theological ideas combining Christianity with community-based activism.
Gustavo Gutiérrez and Liberation Theology (Peru)
Origins and Ideas
- Gustavo Gutiérrez, a Peruvian Catholic priest, is considered the founder of Liberation Theology.
- Born in 1928 in Lima, he witnessed deep poverty and inequality in Peruvian society.
- In 1971, he published A Theology of Liberation, which argued that the Church must fight injustice and povertyrather than just offer charity.
- He taught that Christian faith requires social action, especially the “preferential option for the poor.”
- His ideas blended Catholic teaching with Marxist social analysis, calling for structural change in society, not just spiritual salvation.
Influence and Impact
- Gutiérrez’s ideas spread across Latin America, inspiring priests, nuns, and laypeople to form Base Ecclesial Communities (CEBs).
- He supported the poor through education and community empowerment, particularly in rural Peru.
- His work influenced major Church meetings like the Medellín Conference (1968) and the Puebla Conference (1979).
- Though criticized by the Vatican for politicizing religion, Gutiérrez remained respected for promoting human dignity and peace.
- Today, his ideas continue to influence social justice movements and the Church’s outreach to marginalized groups.
Growth
- Liberation theology spread through Base Ecclesial Communities (CEBs), small groups of peasants and workers who read the Bible and discussed social change.
- Clergy began working alongside labor unions, peasant movements, and human rights groups.
- Countries like Brazil, Nicaragua, and El Salvador became centers of liberationist activity.
