Renowned theologian Father Gustavo Gutiérrez will speak about Bartolomé de las Casas — a prominent Spanish priest and defender of the rights of the individual people — today at 3:30 p.m. in the EMU Gumwood Room. The lecture is being presented by the Latin American Studies Program and is co-sponsored by the St. Thomas More Newman Center.
Gutiérrez is a Peruvian Catholic who founded the liberation theology movement. The movement is an initiative to bridge the gap between the Catholic Church and the poor and oppressed.
Latin American Studies Director Carlos Aguirre hailed Gutiérrez as one of the most important figures of 20th century Latin culture.
“He has denounced the oppression and exploitation of the poor as sinful and is calling for commitment on part of all Catholics to change the society and liberate the poor,” Aguirre said.
As well as lecturing today, there will be an open forum with Gutiérrez on Friday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Newman Center at 1850 Emerald St.
Both events are free and open to the public, and a reception follows.

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