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The father of liberation theology has passed in Lima, Peru at the age of 96. My life forever changed after reading his book, “A Theology of Liberation,” which motivated me to become active in the Central American solidarity movement.

Father Gutiérrez's liberation theology, which used Marxist analysis to interpret certain aspects of poverty, provoked the ire of the Catholic hierarchy, especially Pope John Paul ll.

He specifically criticized “re-readings of the Gospel based more on theoretical speculation than on an authentic meditation of the word of God and a true evangelical commitment.” He warned against portraying Jesus as politically engaged, a figure fighting against Roman domination and powers, thus involved in class struggle.

Nevertheless, his bravery in fighting for the poor in Latin America earned him great respect from both John Paul and later from Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI.

RIP Father Gustavo Gutierrez.