Gustavo Gutiérrez, a towering figure in Latin American Catholicism, passed away on October 22 at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the spiritual and social landscape of the region. Often regarded as the father of Liberation Theology, Gutiérrez’s work both inspired and polarized the Catholic Church. His groundbreaking ideas advocating for the poor became a defining force in post-Vatican II Latin America, marking a sharp division between supporters and critics.
Just days before his death, Cardinal-elect Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio of Lima underscored the enduring tensions surrounding Gutiérrez’s theology. In a public statement, Castillo criticized the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a lay group in Peru, accusing them of unjustly persecuting Gutiérrez. “They considered him a leftist,” Castillo wrote, while defending Gutiérrez as someone who merely sought to renew faith in a way that resonated with Latin America’s poor and deeply religious population.
The Birth of Liberation Theology
Gustavo Gutiérrez’s journey toward theological prominence began in 1968, when he served as an advisor to the Latin American bishops at the Medellín conference. Out of this experience, he developed a book that would forever change the course of Latin American Catholicism. Initially intended to be titled Towards a Theology of Development, the book was eventually published in 1971 as Toward a Theology of Liberation. This work laid the foundation for Liberation Theology, which sought to interpret the Christian Gospel through the lens of social justice and the struggles of the poor.
However, Gustavo Gutiérrez’s ideas sparked controversy, especially during the 1980s. In 1983, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) asked Peruvian bishops to investigate Gutiérrez’s theology, accusing it of promoting a Marxist interpretation of history and focusing excessively on material redemption. The investigation deeply divided the bishops, with some preparing to issue a negative judgment. Yet, a last-minute intervention from the esteemed Jesuit theologian, Father Karl Rahner, prevented such a conclusion. Rahner passionately defended Gutiérrez, asserting that his theology was orthodox and cautioning against any attempt to suppress the pluralism of theological schools.
Though no official sanctions were imposed, Gutiérrez continued to face resistance from conservative elements within the church. Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne of Lima, a notable critic, accused Gutiérrez’s theology of undermining the church’s authority, fostering political activism among priests, and creating a “parallel magisterium.”
A Legacy that Transcends Theology
Despite the opposition, Gustavo Gutiérrez’s influence extended far beyond the confines of theological debates. His commitment to the poor and marginalized earned him international recognition, including nearly 20 honorary degrees and the prestigious French Legion of Honor in 1993 for his work in promoting human dignity. In addition to his academic contributions, he founded the Bartolomé de Las Casas Institute in Lima and held professorships at the University of Notre Dame and other institutions.
Those who encountered Gutiérrez were often struck by his diminutive stature, which belied the profound impact of his intellect. Comparisons to the wise Yoda from Star Wars were not uncommon, but Gutiérrez’s influence on the global Catholic Church was anything but small. His ideas about social justice, the role of faith in political activism, and the rights of the poor left an indelible mark on the 20th-century church.
As the Catholic world reflects on his life, there is little doubt that Gustavo Gutiérrez’s work mattered. His absence will be felt not only in theological circles but also in the broader conversation about faith, justice, and the future of the church in Latin America.
