Gustavo Guti
A steady flow of people filled the EMU Ballroom Friday to hear world-renowned speaker Gustavo Gutiérrez, a Peruvian Roman Catholic priest who has been called the father of Liberation Theology and one of the most influential men of the 20th century.
Liberation Theology is a movement to bridge the gap between the poor and the Catholic Church.
Gutiérrez is a short man with a think Spanish accent, but his message could not be any clearer or his goal any larger.
“He has denounced the oppression against the poor as sinful and called for a commitment on part of all Catholics,” said Carlos Aguirre, the director of the Department of Latin American Studies.
Gutiérrez’s visit to the University was co-hosted by the Latin American department and the Newman Center. Father Dave Orique of the Newman Center was able to help arrange Gutiérrez’s visit because both men are Dominican friars and know each other personally.
“This is a great opportunity for the University because Oregon isn’t a place that he would normally come,” Orique said.
Planners expected 600 people to attend Gutiérrez’s speech; the turnout was so large that the reception planned for after the event was canceled because it would have violated fire codes. Students from various departments came, as well as members of the Catholic community from Eugene, Portland, Salem and Corvallis. Conversations in Spanish and English filled the Ballroom as people waited for Gutiérrez to begin.
Carly Weaver, an international studies major, came to hear Gutiérrez speak because she had heard about him in some of her classes and was “interested in developments around the world.”
Gutiérrez’s lecture was titled “Bartolomé de las Casas: Justice and Salvation.” Bartolomé de las Casas was a 16th century missionary in Latin America who fought in defense of the native peoples against oppression and exploitation.
“There are many relevant lessons for today from Bartolome,” Gutiérrez said.
Gutiérrez founded the Bartolomé de las Casas Institute in Lima, Peru. The center is focused on helping the poor of the area and training leaders from among the population.
Gutiérrez’s theory of liberation calls for liberation for the oppressed poor from social injustice and exploitation, as well as liberation from sin through a personal relationship with God.
“We are very close today,” Gutiérrez said. “We cannot avoid the big challenge of poverty in the world. It is not only the responsibility of people in the poor countries but for all people, and especially Christians.”
Gutiérrez has devoted his life to helping the poor and reforming their relationship the Catholic Church. He has spent most of his life working in Rimac, a parish in the slums of Lima.
“To be a part of (the poor) community … and to have friends is a very beautiful experience,” Gutiérrez said.
Gutiérrez has received several international honors for his work, including the Spanish “Prince of Asturias Award for Communications and Humanities” in 2003. The award recognizes scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanistic work.
