Gustavo Gutiérrez Merino Díaz, the renowned Peruvian priest and intellectual, passed away at the age of 96 in Lima on October 22, 2024. He was widely regarded as the father of liberation theology, a movement that emphasizes the dignity of the poor and advocates for social justice within the Church. His death was confirmed by his religious order, the Dominicans, and the Bartolomé de las Casas Institute, which he founded in 1974 to support the underprivileged.
Born on June 8, 1928, in a humble family in Lima, Gutiérrez faced significant health challenges in his youth that shaped his intellectual pursuits. He studied Medicine and Literature before dedicating his life to the priesthood, being ordained in 1959. His seminal work, 'Theology of Liberation: Perspectives,' published in 1971, has been translated into over twenty languages and remains a cornerstone of liberation theology. Gutiérrez's theology called for a Church that actively engages with social issues and the plight of the poor, reflecting the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and the Medellín Conference.
Throughout his life, Gutiérrez was a passionate advocate for the poor, often utilizing literature and cinema to communicate his theological ideas. His teachings and writings encouraged a dialogue between Christianity and various philosophical and political ideologies, including existentialism and Marxism. He was also recognized by Pope Francis, who acknowledged Gutiérrez's contributions to the Church and his commitment to the marginalized during his ninetieth birthday celebration.
Gutiérrez's legacy includes numerous honorary degrees and awards, such as the Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities in 2003. His work continues to inspire both theological reflection and social activism, reinforcing the notion that poverty is a condition created by human actions that can be transformed. His funeral is scheduled for Wednesday at the Santo Domingo Convent in Lima, where he will be laid to rest.
