Liberation theology

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Not to be confused with Liberal Christianity or Religious liberalism.

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Liberation theology is a

socio-economic analyses, with social concern for the poor and political liberation for oppressed peoples[1]
and addresses other forms of perceived inequality.

Liberation theology was influential in Latin America,[2] especially within Catholicism in the 1960s after the Second Vatican Council, where it became the political praxis of theologians such as Frei Betto, Gustavo Gutiérrez, Leonardo Boff, and Jesuits Juan Luis Segundo and Jon Sobrino, who popularized the phrase "preferential option for the poor".

The option for the poor is simply the idea that, as reflected in canon law, “The Christian faithful are also obliged to promote social justice and, mindful of the precept of the Lord, to assist the poor.” It indicates an obligation, on the part of those who would call themselves Christian, first and foremost to care for the poor and vulnerable.[3]

This expression was used first by Jesuit Fr. General Pedro Arrupe in 1968 and soon after the World Synod of Catholic Bishops in 1971 chose as its theme "Justice in the World".[3][4]

Latin America also produced

C. René Padilla, who in the 1970s called for integral mission, emphasizing evangelism and social responsibility
.

Theologies of liberation have also developed in other parts of the world such as

Palestinian liberation theology, Dalit theology in India, Minjung theology in South Korea, as well as liberation theology in Ireland
.

Latin American liberation theology

Main article: Latin American liberation theology

Liberation theology developed within the

Peruvian priest Gustavo Gutiérrez, who wrote one of the movement's defining books, A Theology of Liberation. Other exponents include Leonardo Boff of Brazil, and Jesuits Jon Sobrino of El Salvador and Juan Luis Segundo of Uruguay.[8][9]

Latin American liberation theology influenced parts of the

Cardinal Ratzinger rejected certain forms of Latin American liberation theology for focusing on institutionalized or systemic sin and for identifying Catholic Church hierarchy in South America as members of the same privileged class that had long been oppressing Indigenous populations from the arrival of Pizarro onward.[12]

Black theology

Main article: Black theology

More or less at the same time as the initial publications of Latin American liberation theology are also found voices of

apartheid
, respectively.

Black theology seeks to liberate people of colour from multiple forms of political, social, economic, and religious subjugation and views

Black Power movement and the Black Consciousness Movement
.

Dalit theology

Main article: Dalit theology

Dalit theology is a branch of Christian theology that emerged among the Dalit castes in the Indian subcontinent in the 1980s. It shares a number of themes with Latin American liberation theology, which arose two decades earlier, including a self-identity as a people undergoing Exodus.[14] Dalit theology sees hope in the "Nazareth Manifesto" of Luke 4,[15] where Jesus speaks of preaching "good news to the poor ... freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind" and of releasing "the oppressed".[16]

Palestinian liberation theology

See also: Political theology in the Middle East § Palestinian liberation theology

Palestinian liberation theology is an expression of

Anglican cleric Naim Ateek, founder of the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem.[17]

The Northern Ireland Troubles and armed struggle

In Ireland, liberation theology has been associated with the ideas and praxis of the Belfast Roman Catholic priest Des Wilson.[18][19][20] Following the onset of the Northern Ireland Troubles, Wilson defended the right of communities systematically failed by the state, the churches and other institutions to create “alternative education, alternative welfare, alternative theatre, broadcasting, theological and political discussion, public inquiries and much else”. More controversially, citing the example of Brazilian archbishop Hélder Câmara,[18] he argued that this right extended to “alternative police and alternative armies”.[21]

During the

communist"), refused to condemn armed resistance. In a famous interview with Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, he explained that while it was not his choice ("not my road, not my way to apply the Gospels"), he would never say "to use weapons against an oppressor is immoral or anti-Christian".[22]

Wilson argued that a church, not itself pacifist (as a schoolchild he recalls being taught to revere General Franco as a soldier of Christ), needed to develop a new "theology of pacifism". Acknowledging the predicament of those who had "a duty to protect others--their families their homes", this would need to do more than satisfy the needs of "an oppressive government or of people seeking undemanding respectability".[23]

Peace Movement

The Christian peace movement has been associated with liberation theology in many ways. Participating theologians have been in all continents and countries, including countries with Christian minorities. A central theme has been peace as a way of redemption and liberation.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ Dictionary of Historical Terms (1998), 2nd ed., Chris Cook, ed., p. 203.
  2. ISSN 2509-9957. Archived
    (PDF) from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Dault, Kira (January 22, 2015). "What Is the Preferential Option for the Poor?". U.S. Catholic. 80: 46. Archived from the original on July 10, 2020.
  4. ^ Crosby, Michael (October 17, 2016). "In 1971, the Bishops Sounded a Call for Justice". National Catholic Reporter. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Alves, Rubem A. (1988). Towards a Theology of Liberation. Princeton Theological Seminary. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  6. ^ "Rubem Alves – Liberation Theology Pioneer". Critical Therapy Center. New York, NY. July 21, 2014. Archived from the original on January 13, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  7. ISBN 978-921054555-6. Archived
    from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  8. ^ Richard P. McBrien, Catholicism (Harper Collins, 1994), chapter IV.
  9. ^ Gustavo Gutierrez, A Theology of Liberation, 1st (Spanish) ed. Lima, Peru, 1971; 1st English ed. Orbis Books (Maryknoll, New York), 1973.
  10. ^ Travis Kitchens (June 21, 2010). "Chomsky on Religion". Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2017 – via YouTube.
  11. ^ "Instruction on certain aspects of the "Theology of Liberation"". Vatican. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
  12. ^ Wojda, Paul J., "Liberation theology," in R.P. McBrien, ed., The Catholic Encyclopedia (Harper Collins, 1995).
  13. ^ Vuola, Elina (2005). "Liberation Theology". New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  14. OCLC 54973643. Archived
    from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  15. ^ Luke 4
  16. OCLC 302001445. Archived
    from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  17. ISBN 9780883445402. Archived
    from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Garland, Sidney (1986). "Liberation Theology and the Ulster Question" (PDF). Journal of the Irish Christian Study Centre. 3: (40–54), 44.
  19. ^ McVeigh, Joe (2020). Des Wilson: A Voice for the Poor & Oppressed. Belfast: An Ceathrú Póilí.
  20. ^ "Fr Des Wilson obituary: Priest who fought oppression and injustice in North". The Irish Times. December 7, 2019. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
  21. ISBN 1900960281
    .
  22. ^ "Entrevistas históricas: Oriana Fallaci entrevista dom Helder Câmara". Socialista Morena (in Brazilian Portuguese). March 31, 2013. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  23. ^ Wilson (2005), pp. 133-136
  24. ^ Hans Ehrenberg, Franz Rosenzweig and Eugen Rosenstock-Huessy (Sons for Peace), "Ways of Peace, Lights of Peace", Vol 1 & 2, (Rome: Vatican Press, 1910, New York: Bible Society, 1910).

Further reading

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Liberation theology.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Liberation theology.

On Pope John Paul II's relationship to Liberation theology

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