Gustavo Gutiérrez, Founder of “Liberation Theology,” Visits Yale

New Haven, Conn. — Peruvian theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez, the founder of a Christian movement that promotes political activism in the pursuit of social and economic justice, will visit Yale Nov. 8–10.

Gutiérrez, a Dominican priest, holds the John Cardinal O’Hara Professorship of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. His visit is hosted by the Center for Latin America and Iberian Studies, Saint Thomas More Chapel & Center at Yale and the Yale Divinity School.

The following events are free and open to the public:

* Lecture, “Archbishop Romero: A Witness of Faith,” Nov. 8, 4:30 p.m., Luce Hall, 34 Hillhouse Ave.
* Public worship, Nov. 9, 10:30 a.m., Marquand Chapel, Yale Divinity School, 409 Prospect St.
* More House Lecture, “Option for the Poor and Aparecida,” Nov. 9, 4:30 p.m., Thomas E. Golden, Jr. Center at Saint Thomas More, 268 Park St.

“We are most pleased that Father Gutiérrez will deliver our annual More House Lecture on this important perspective of ministering to the world’s poor,” notes Father Robert Beloin, chaplain at Saint Thomas More.

Yale Divinity School Dean Harry Attridge adds, “We at Yale Divinity School are grateful to have this opportunity to engage one of the world’s leading thinkers in the area of Latin American liberation theology and to hear his perspectives on the contemporary theological scene.”

“Father Gutiérrez is one of the most influential pastors in Latin America, one whose teaching inspired hundreds of thousands of poor people to believe that social justice is God’s will. We are honored by his visit and look forward to learning about his current work,” agrees Elisabeth Jean Wood, professor of political science and chair of the Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies.

Gutiérrez has been a professor at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and a visiting professor at many major universities in North America and Europe. He is a member of the Peruvian Academy of Language and in 1993 was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government for his tireless work on behalf of human dignity and life, and against oppression, in Latin America and the Third World. Gutiérrez is best known for his foundational work, titled “A Theology of Liberation: History, Politics, Salvation.”