Indian Catholics mourn death of father of liberation theology

By Jose Kavi

New Delhi, Oct 23, 2024: Church leaders, theologians and grassroots workers in India have mourned the death of the father of the Liberation Theology who forced Christians to recognize the poor as agents and partners and not objects of charity.

Dominican Father Gustavo Gutiérrez died October 22 in Lima, capital of Peru, his native city. The “prophet of the poor” was 96.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, head of India’s Latin Rite Church, mourned Father Gutiérrez’s death as “a tremendous loss, not only to the Church but also to the global community committed to justice, peace, and human dignity.”

The South American theologian’s life was “defined by an unwavering dedication to the poor and marginalized. Through his groundbreaking work, A Theology of Liberation, he introduced the Church to a new vision of Christ’s presence in the lives of the oppressed,” said the cardinal, who is also the archbishop of Goa and Daman.

Jesuit social scientist Father Cedric Prakash, who had met Father Gutierre once, too said the “Church and in fact the whole world has lost a person who walked the talk, a courageous prophet who lived the Gospel of Jesus radically and without compromise.”

Gutierrez’s theology, he added, was about a God who takes sides with the poor and the oppressed, the excluded and the exploited. Gutierrez used to stress that Christianity should accept Jesus primarily as the redeemer and the liberator of those who are oppressed.

Presentation Sister Elsa Muttath, national secretary of the Conference of Religious India, expressed sadness over Father Gutierrez’s death. “Hope his passing at this time will sow the seeds of new life and hope for the Church to renew itself once again,” she added.

Jesuit Father Stanislaus Alla, a moral theology professor in New Delhi, pointed out that Father Gutiérrez “challenged the Euro-centric theology that historically failed to bring the struggles and sufferings of the colonized millions into theological conversations. He played a crucial role in ensuring that the ‘experiences’ of those who wrestle with poverty and injustice become sources for theologizing.”

According to Capuchin Father Suresh Mathew, a veteran journalist, Father Gutierrez challenged traditional Catholic teachings, advocating for a more inclusive and socially conscious faith. “His legacy continues to inspire social justice movements worldwide, uniting faith and action.”

Indian Missionary Society Father Anand Mathew, national convener of the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace, a solidarity group that draws its inspiration from liberation theology, hailed Father Gutierrez as “the brightest luminary” of the theology. Along with theologians such as Jon Sobrino, Helder Camera, George Soares, Samuel Rayan, Albert Nolan, Tissa Balasurya, Leonard Boff and James Cone, Gutierrez “inspired us to be on the side of the poor, those in the peripheries,” he added.

Grassroots workers such as Sister Sujata Jena and Jesuit Father Irudhaya Jothi acknowledged Father Gutierrez as their inspiration.

Father Jothi, a food rights activist in West Bengal, told Matters India that Gutiérrez’s “A Theology of Liberation” oriented him towards social activism through a rights-based Approach.

“His writings led me to ask critical questions like, “Why are there poor people starving in a land of plenty?” and “What is my role as a follower of Jesus, the Liberator?” These reflections pushed me to join like-minded individuals in demanding that the government, as the ‘duty-bearer’, enact legislation on food security,” he explained.

Sister Jena said she was “deeply moved” by Father Gutiérrez’s reflections on God’s preferential love for the poor during her Missiology studies. “His theology resonated with me, especially in my role as a religious nun.”

The Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary nun said she felt “a strong call” to prioritize the needs of the marginalized by committing to the liberation of the poor. “It challenged me to see my faith as a path of solidarity, not just in words but in daily action,” added the nun who works among migrants.

Presentation Sister Dorothy Fernandes, another grassroots activist and the forum’s previous national convener, said Father Gutierrez was the inspiration for forum members to move ahead. “We found our source a d strength in him. We have lost a great champion of the poor and the less privileged,” she mourned.

Father Gutierrez’s writings and his life will continue to be “the source of light and support as we pave the way to follow in his footsteps,” said the nun who works among the homeless in the eastern Indian city of Patna. “He was a true follower of Jesus. May he enjoy Eternal Bliss,” she added.