In brief
Gustavo Gutiérrez, the father of liberation theology, died at 96 in Lima, Peru, influencing generations with his commitment to the poor.
Gustavo Gutiérrez, the influential Peruvian priest and theologian often referred to as the father of Latin American liberation theology, has passed away at the age of 96 in Lima, Peru. His death was confirmed by the Dominican Order in Peru, taking place in a convent on Tuesday, October 23, 2024, according to The Associated Press. Father Gutiérrez gained fame for his groundbreaking work, “Teología de la Liberación,” initially published in Spanish in 1971 and later translated into English as “A Theology of Liberation.” Within its pages, he articulated the notion that the God of Jewish and Christian faiths demonstrates a preferential commitment to the poor, positioning this belief at the heart of Christian social ethics. In his seminal text, Gutiérrez emphasized that the liberation of the poor is not solely an aspiration for an afterlife but can be achieved in this world. He advocated for the Church to address the injustices and hardships faced by impoverished communities, arguing that understanding God involves exploring and addressing poverty and inequality on earth.Father Gutiérrez is notably remembered for his statement that discussing a preferential option for the poor involves a realistic view of poverty—not as an ideal, but as a fundamental societal evil that requires action against it. His teachings have inspired movements across the globe to promote housing and healthcare as basic human rights and continue to be integral to theological studies in universities and seminaries today.
