Lay apostolic movement leaders around the world are expressing their appreciation for the life of the late Fr Gustavo Gutierrez, the Peruvian liberation theology pioneer, who died on 22 October 2024 at the age of 96.
As a young priest, Fr Gustavo was a chaplain to the Young Christian Students and Catholic university students movements.
“Today, we mourn the passing of Fr Gustavo Gutiérrez, a profound theologian and chaplain of IMCS Peru (Unión Nacional de Estudiantes Católicos del Perú UNEC),” the Pax Romana IMCS team wrote in a Facebook tribute.
“As the father of liberation theology, he dedicated his life to advocating for justice and the poor, inspiring countless people with his vision of a world grounded in compassion and equality. His legacy will live on through his teachings and the countless lives he touched.
“We celebrate his life and commitment to faith in action.”
In another tribute, the IYCS team recalled him as “a man of faith and justice who left a profound mark on Latin America and beyond.”
“Through his dedication as chaplain to young Catholic students, he inspired generations to commit to social justice and human dignity.
“He tirelessly worked for a world where peace and solidarity prevail, especially for the marginalised.
“We carry his legacy in our hearts and will continue his fight for a more just world, in the spirit of Christ.
“Rest in peace, Father Gustavo Gutiérrez,” the IYCS note concludes.
“A diminutive giant, Gustavo Gutiérrez, has left us – at the age of 96,” wrote former IYCS-IMCS chaplain, Fr Mike Deeb, a Dominican like Fr Gustavo.
“He visited our international office in Paris several times (soon after he joined the Dominican Order) – last time in 2004 – and I was privileged to last see him on a visit to Peru in 2018,” Fr Mike writes.
“Thank you for your continual inspiration, Gustavo. Rest in peace, my brother!”
Former Pax Romana ICMICA president, Professor Kevin Ahern of Manhattan College, New York, recalled meeting Fr Gustavo on several occasions.
“We had a moving conversation once about the impact of illness at a young age in the formation of a theological vocation,” Kevin noted. “Gracias Gustavo!”
ACI secretary, Stefan Gigacz, shared a story of being asked to translate a homily for Fr Gustavo from Spanish to English during a Pax Romana conference in Assisi in 1997.
“What struck me when he gave his homily was his evident love of the Gospel,” Stefan noted. “He really had that joy of the Gospel that Pope Francis has also spoken about.”
American Paulist Deacon Chris Malano noted that while “some will remember Fr Gustavo Gutierrez for his theological work, I will remember him for the deep sense of care he had for whomever he was interacting — a care that is rooted in God’s love.”
“The way he preached Jesus Christ with his way of being in relation with people continue to shape me and my ministry even today,” Deacon Chris said.
READ MORE
Gustavo Gutiérrez (Wikipedia)
Vincent de Féligonde, Gustavo Gutiérrez, ‘father’ of liberation theology, dead at 96 (La Croix International)
John L. Allen, Father of liberation theology, a tiny man with a giant legacy, dead at 96 (CruxNow)
I had the honor to welcome him when he visited our offices in Paris and to organize small group discussions with him in Boston. We had a moving conversation once about the impact of illness at a young age in the formation of a theological vocation. Gracias Gustavo! pic.twitter.com/W2bCIc3TVs
— Kevin Ahern (@kevin_ahern) October 23, 2024
