Gustavo Gutiérrez, the Peruvian Catholic priest and theologian who founded liberation theology, a revolutionary movement that centered on social justice for the poor in Latin America, died on May 21, 2024, in Lima, Peru. He was 96.
Gutiérrez's groundbreaking 1971 book, 'A Theology of Liberation,' fundamentally changed religious discourse in Latin America by arguing that the Catholic Church had an obligation to actively help the poor and oppressed fight against social injustice. His work challenged the traditional church hierarchy by proposing that salvation was not merely spiritual but required confronting poverty and political oppression.
Born in Lima in 1928, Gutiérrez studied medicine before entering the priesthood, an experience that exposed him to the deep poverty and inequality in Peru. As both a priest and theologian, he worked in Lima's poorest neighborhoods while developing his theological framework that combined Catholic teachings with social activism.
Liberation theology emerged during a period of social and political upheaval in Latin America, when many countries were ruled by military dictatorships. While initially viewed with suspicion by the Vatican, which worried about its Marxist influences, the movement's core principles about serving the poor have gained greater acceptance under Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff.
Gutiérrez's influence extended far beyond theology into social movements, politics, and education throughout Latin America and the developing world. His emphasis on the 'preferential option for the poor' became a cornerstone of progressive Catholic social teaching.
He leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire religious leaders, activists, and scholars worldwide who work to combine faith with social justice. His death marks the end of an era but his vision of a church that actively fights poverty and injustice remains deeply relevant today.
