7 notable Latin American Christians: saints, a pope, an evangelist

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Gustavo Gutiérrez

Born in 1928 in Lima, Peru and a member of the Dominican Order, Gustavo Gutiérrez is a noted philosopher and priest considered to be the father of Liberation Theology.

The theology, popular in Latin America, argues that Christianity should be focused on advancing socio-economic policies and programs that aid the poor and impoverished.

“Gutiérrez developed a new spirituality based on solidarity with the poor and called on the church to help change existing social and economic institutions to promote social justice,” explained Britannica.

“Although liberation theology had great impact, especially in Latin America, it was less welcome in Rome because of its Marxist overtones, and Pope John Paul II accordingly sought to limit its influence in the 1980s.”