Gutierrez to give lecture on campus
by NICK SWEEDO
Tonight the University welcomes for a public lecture Father Gustavo Gutiérrez, founder of liberation theology – an ideology that, ironically, has its roots on Notre Dame's campus.
Gutiérrez, a native of Peru, wrote his groundbreaking book "A Theology of Liberation," in 1971, after developing the theme of liberation theology while he was in the University's Hesburgh Library, according to theology professor, Father Virgilio Elizondo.
"He is someone whose books our students have read in our courses," said John Cavadini, theology department chair. "It will be inspiring to hear him speak in person."
Cavadini and fellow theology professor Matt Ashley agreed that when writers chronicle the history of theology in the 20th century, Gutiérrez will be one of the most notable figures.
Ashley explained liberation theology as "theology that tries to understand how to live as faithful Christians in a world characterized by massive and dehumanizing suffering."
Liberation theology rejects the notion that people who live in poverty have themselves to blame for their condition, but rather a combination of unjust economic and social structures, according to Robert Rodes Jr., a law professor who has written two books detailing the relationship between liberation theology and the law.
"By reforming unjust structures," Rodes said, "you are not only liberating the poor from oppression, but you are liberating yourself from being an oppressor."
"My personal opinion is that the man is a saint," Ashley said of Gutierrez. "His coming is a tremendous honor to the University. It shows that Notre Dame is a part of the global Catholic community."
Gutiérrez will give a public lecture on "The Actuality of the Preferential Option for the Poor" at 8 p.m. in the McKenna Hall auditorium. He also plans to give a colloquium on "The Church of the Poor: John XXIII and the Council" on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. in DeBartolo Hall, Room 131.
All News Stories for Monday, September 11, 2000
