Liberation Theology in Latin America

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Shadle
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Historical Reality ◽  
Gustavo Gutierrez ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Preferential Option ◽  
1960S And 1970S ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Political Turmoil ◽  
The Church

This chapter examines the emergence of liberation theology in Latin America. It offers three cases studies illustrating the economic and political turmoil in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s: Chile, Brazil, and El Salvador. The chapter then turns to the theology of two prominent liberation theologians, Gustavo Gutiérrez and Ignacio Ellacuría. Gutiérrez proposes that God calls us to make a preferential option for the poor, and to work for integral liberation in history. Similarly, Ellacuría explains that God offers his salvation in history, and the church is called to realize the Reign of God in the midst of historical reality, siding with the “crucified people” with whom Jesus identifies.

“The Door of History”

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matt Eisenbrandt
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
El Salvador ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Death Squad ◽  
The Poor ◽  
History Of ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The Church ◽  
The Catholic Church

Using trial testimony about Romero’s last Sunday homily in 1980, this chapter gives a history of the Catholic Church in El Salvador and Romero’s life culminating in his three years as archbishop. The Church underwent an overhaul during the 1960s, leading many priests and bishops in Latin America to follow Liberation Theology, the belief that rather than providing charity to the poor, they should focus on the systemic causes of inequality. Romero was viewed by many Salvadoran clergy as conservative when he became archbishop in 1977 but the death squad murder of his friend Rutilio Grande, a Jesuit follower of Liberation Theology, pushed Romero to more openly denounce those responsible for the inequality and repression. The day before his murder, Romero, in his Sunday homily, called on soldiers to “stop the repression” by disobeying the orders of their commanders.

scholarly journals IDENTIDAD DE LA TEOLOGÍA LATINOAMERICA Y LA TEOLOGÍA DE LA LIBERACIÓN

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Jorge Costadoat Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Theological Method ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Age Of Maturity ◽  
The Status ◽  
Original Speech ◽  
America Latina ◽  
The Church

RESUMEN: El objetivo de esta investigación es suministrar argumentos para identificar la Teología latinoamericana con la Teología de la liberación, y viceversa. Entre estos argumentos se debe considerar la conciencia de alcanzar la “mayoría de edad” de la Iglesia en América Latina en el postconcilio; la convicción de los teólogos de la liberación de estar elaborando una “nueva manera” de hacer teo­logía; una toma de distancia del carácter ilustrado de la teología; y la posibilidad de reconocer en los acontecimientos regionales, particularmente en los pobres, un habla original de Dios. Este artículo pretende hacer una contribución al status quaestionis del método teológico.ABSTRACT: The objective of this paper is to provide arguments to identify Latin American Theology with Liberation Theology, and vice versa. Among these arguments, one should consider the awareness of the Church in Latin America reaching its “age of maturity” in the post-conciliar period. Other arguments are the conviction of liberation theologians to be elaborating a “new way” of doing theology; a distance from the illustrated characteristic of theology; and, the possibility of recognizing in regional events, particularly in the poor, God’s original speech. This article aims to contribute to the status quaestionis of the theological method.

Theologies of Liberation

2015 ◽  
pp. 802-819
Author(s):  
Roberto Goizueta
Keyword(s):  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Vatican Ii ◽  
Catholic Action ◽  
Gustavo Gutierrez ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Preferential Option ◽  
The Third World ◽  
Early Influences ◽  
Do So

The term ‘theologies of liberation’ refers to a global theological movement that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s among Christians working for justice among the poor of the Third World. Most systematically articulated, initially, by Latin American theologians such as the Peruvian priest Gustavo Gutiérrez, liberation theology is rooted in the Gospel claim that Jesus Christ is identified in a special way with the poor and marginalized of our world. Early influences on the emergence of liberation theology in Latin America included: the Catholic Action movement, base ecclesial communities, Vatican II (especially Gaudium et spes), and the Medellín Conference of 1968. The central insight of liberation theologies is that, because God makes a ‘preferential option for the poor’, we are called to do so as well; if Christ is identified with the marginalized, the lives of the poor is the privileged locus for practising Christian theological reflection.

Ecclesial Opposition to Mining on Mindanao: Neoliberalism Encounters the Church of the Poor in the Land of Promise

2007 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Holden ◽  
Daniel Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Roman Catholic ◽  
Roman Catholic Church ◽  
Development Programs ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Preferential Option ◽  
Philippine Government ◽  
The Church

AbstractIn the developing world, environmental issues are often livelihood issues as the poor try to protect resources necessary for their subsistence. This paper examines the opposition of the Roman Catholic Church, on the Island of Mindanao, to neoliberal policies designed by the Philippine government to encourage nonferrous metals mining by multinational corporations. Mining is an activity with substantial potential for environmental degradation that can deprive the poor of their livelihood. The Church, demonstrating the influence of liberation theology and its preferential option for the poor, has taken a stance opposing mining as an activity that may harm the poor by degrading the environment upon which they depend for their livelihood and further impoverish them. The paper examines the Church's efforts to provide alternative development programs for the poor and discusses the potential for more conflict between neoliberalism, and its "top down" methods of implementing policies, and liberation theology with its "bottom up" perspective on achieving development.

How Authentically Christian is Liberation Theology?

1988 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Tunstead Burtchaell
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Economic Disadvantage ◽  
Socialist State ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Preferential Option ◽  
Good For ◽  
In Virtue Of ◽  
Dominant Paradigm

This is a friendly critique of the Liberation Theology being elaborated in Latin America. The preferential option for the poor constricts its attention to economic disadvantage, and ascribes virtually all impoverishment to purposeful oppression. The poor are, simply in virtue of their deprivation, said to be so morally exalted that the gospel has for them no call to conversion. Theirs is a salvation without further ado. Yet their salvation turns out to be predominantly, if not exclusively, economic and political. A predilection for the Exodus displaces the death and resurrection ofJesus as the dominant paradigm for liberation. It is maladapted to a Christian vision of liberation, which must aim at communion with the enemy, not mere triumph. By claiming justice as its goal and fulfillment, liberation theology seems to suffer from a loss of Christian nerve. Looking to the socialist state as the sure guarantor of justice, it seems politically naive, and barren of the Christian hope that both exploiter and victim must be transformed into more than just persons (because prepared to return good for evil) well before the society around them has become a fit home even for justice.

Liberation Theology

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario I. Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Catholic Priest ◽  
Ernesto Cardenal ◽  
Peasant Communities ◽  
Experience Of God ◽  
Gustavo Gutierrez ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The Impact

This chapter identifies theologies of sacraments in the context of liberation theology, rooted primarily in work among poor Christians in 1960s Latin America. In doing so it addresses the “first step” (“the experience of God through the poor and the marginalized”) and the “second step” (“the historical and theological developments that led to the beginnings of liberation theology as a reflection on Christian experience”). The seminal work in liberation theology developed by Gustavo Gutiérrez and Juan Luis Segundo is described, as is the impact of the 1968 Latin American Bishops Conference in Medellin. In addition, the work of Ernesto Cardenal, a Nicaraguan Catholic priest, poet, and politician, in viewing the Eucharist in connection to the prophetic work of Jesus Christ among the poor is examined—specifically in the context of celebrating Eucharist in the Nicaraguan peasant communities of the archipelago of Solentiname.

scholarly journals The Option for the Poor and the Phenomenology of Life

Open Theology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 407-413
Author(s):  
Vincent J. Pastro
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Word Of God ◽  
People Of God ◽  
Gustavo Gutierrez ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The People ◽  
Preferential Option ◽  
Theological Task ◽  
The Church

Abstract Recently, Catholic teaching and theology have given much attention to “the preferential option for the poor.” Gustavo Gutierrez, OP, who has popularized the phrase, also defines theology as a “reflection on praxis in the light of the word of God.” The praxis of the option for the poor is therefore indispensable to the theological task, for theology must always be “enfleshed” and concrete in the life of the people. This is particularly the case of Latin American theology and strongly emphasized in the magisterium of Pope Francis. The option for the poor has its foundation in who God is and how God is for the people (cf Exod 3:8-15). The option for the poor is grounded in life. Michel Henry’s phenomenology of life provides a logical approach to theological reflection on poverty, justice, and solidarity with the poor. The people of God, the Church community, live the option in concrete praxis. The God of life has a special love and concern for the poor. The poor, and those in solidarity with them, mysteriously experience the divine love and grace in their everyday lives and la lucha por la vida (the struggle for life). In the living, religious experience is intimately grounded.

Towards a Theology of Citizenship as Public Theology in Brazil

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 181-206
Author(s):  
Rudolf von Sinner
Keyword(s):  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Public Theology ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Prophetic Voice ◽  
Preferential Option ◽  
Politics And Education ◽  
1960S And 1970S ◽  
The Public Sphere ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The Military

AbstractLiberation theology has become known worldwide for its "preferential option for the poor" and its prophetic voice against economic and political oppression. Since the end of the military regime in Brazil (1985) and the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989), theologians are trying to grapple with the continuously appalling poverty, exclusion, and marginalization of very large sectors of society within an ever more complex context and a diversity of theoretical positions. How to do theology meaningfully in a world that has moved beyond the clear-cut dualities (like oppressed-oppressor) of the 1960s and 1970s? How to use fruitfully the new space available for participation in the public sphere? In civil society, politics and education, "citizenship" has become the key term for a participatory democracy. Departing from new directions taken in liberation theology, considering their strengths and insufficiencies, this essay explores features of a theology of citizenship and seeks to link it up to the growing international debate on public theology, a term not commonly used in Brazil to date. Special attention is given to the development of public theology in South Africa as an inspiring example, in order to facilitate a fruitful South-South dialogue.

scholarly journals Ecos do Congresso Continental de Teologia

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 (289) ◽  
pp. 69-101
Author(s):  
Afonso Murad ◽  
Élio Estanislau Gasda ◽  
Geraldo De Mori
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Vatican Ii ◽  
50Th Anniversary ◽  
Continental Congress ◽  
Gustavo Gutierrez ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
America Latina ◽  
The Church

O Congresso Continental de Teologia, realizado na Unisinos, em São Leopoldo, RS, entre os dias 7-11 de outubro, por ocasião da celebração dos 50 anos do Concílio Vaticano II e dos 40 anos da publicação da obra de Gustavo Gutierres que inaugurou a Teologia da Libertação, foi sem dúvida um dos maiores eventos teológicos ocorridos nesta região. Momento de celebração e de memória do caminho feito, com seus avanços e recuos, mas também momento de olhar para o presente e o futuro da América Latina e do Caribe, perguntando-se sobre o futuro da Igreja e da reflexão teológica nesta região. O texto apresenta os principais momentos e conteúdos do Congresso, mostrando sua importância para a teologia latino-americana e caribenha, além de apontar para as novas tarefas que parecem emergir deste momento ímpar da teologia na contemporaneidade.Abstract: The Continental Congress of Theology, held at Unisinos in São Leopoldo, RS, between 7-11 October, on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vatican II and the 40th anniversary of the publication of Gustavo Gutierrez’ work that inaugurated the Liberation Theology, was undoubtedly one of the greatest theological events occurring in this region. A time of celebration and of remembering the path we covered with its advances and retreats, but also a time to look at the present and future of Latin America and the Caribbean, wondering about the future of the Church and the theological reflection in this region. The text presents the key moments and main contents of the Congress, showing its importance for the Latin American and Caribbean theology, as well as pointing to new tasks that seem to emerge from this unique moment in contemporary theology.Keywords: Latin America and the Caribbean. Continental Congress. Vatican II. Liberation Theology.

scholarly journals IDENTIDAD DE LA TEOLOGÍA LATINOAMERICA Y LA TEOLOGÍA DE LA LIBERACIÓN

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Jorge Costadoat Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
Liberation Theology ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Theological Method ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Age Of Maturity ◽  
The Status ◽  
Original Speech ◽  
America Latina ◽  
The Church

RESUMEN: El objetivo de esta investigación es suministrar argumentos para identificar la Teología latinoamericana con la Teología de la liberación, y viceversa. Entre estos argumentos se debe considerar la conciencia de alcanzar la “mayoría de edad” de la Iglesia en América Latina en el postconcilio; la convicción de los teólogos de la liberación de estar elaborando una “nueva manera” de hacer teo­logía; una toma de distancia del carácter ilustrado de la teología; y la posibilidad de reconocer en los acontecimientos regionales, particularmente en los pobres, un habla original de Dios. Este artículo pretende hacer una contribución al status quaestionis del método teológico.ABSTRACT: The objective of this paper is to provide arguments to identify Latin American Theology with Liberation Theology, and vice versa. Among these arguments, one should consider the awareness of the Church in Latin America reaching its “age of maturity” in the post-conciliar period. Other arguments are the conviction of liberation theologians to be elaborating a “new way” of doing theology; a distance from the illustrated characteristic of theology; and, the possibility of recognizing in regional events, particularly in the poor, God’s original speech. This article aims to contribute to the status quaestionis of the theological method.

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