What is Liberation Theology
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Fullerton College *
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Philosophy
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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1.
What is Liberation Theology?
Liberation Theolgy is a movement that started in the 1960s in South American countries. Its goal
is to use the catholic church to spread social justice issues across Latin and South American
cultures. Over the course of the mid-20
th
century the catholic church in Latin became dismayed
with the government’s treatment of the poor. This led to some clerics breaking with the elitism of
the church.
2.
What is the meaning of the “preferential option of the poor”?
The meanings of “preferential option of the poor” have many layers. Its core meaning is that
Christ is always on the side of the poor, and we must support and defend them. It also suggests
that we must dismantle the oppressive systems that keep them in poverty and suffering. In this it
aims to remove elitism from the modern church.
3.
How would you describe the relationship between the Catholic Church and
Latin American governments?
In most Latin governments the Catholic Church is seen as an integral part of the community.
While the Church plays the same religious roles as its chapters in North America and Europe, it
also holds a larger amount of dominance in everyday life in Latin America. The South American
governments are aware of this and as such the appeasement of the church hierarchy is used as a
leveraging tool and obstacle in political life. An Archbishop or priest can easily sway an election
among more traditional and older Latin voters.
4.
Why did the Vatican strongly oppose liberation theologians?
Much of the liberation theology is rooted in Marxist and socialist critiques of scripture.
Liberation theology states that the bible teaches against capitalism and that the hierarchy of
society, and the church should not benefit from the exploitation of the poor. The official stance of
the Vatican was that Marxist teachings and the catholic faith are incompatible. This decree has
been used to silence many liberation theologians.
5.
Why was Archbishop Romero killed?
In the 1980s the country of El Salvador was experiencing a civil war between Marxist left wing
groups and right-wing groups. During that time Oscar Romero was an Archbishop that preached
liberation theology. In 1980 Archbishop Romero was shot by a right-wing death squad. Thirty
eight years after his death Archbishop Romero was canonized.
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