The 1900’s were a time of theological and social change in Latin America. The middle class began growing and social reform was in progress. The Catholic Church was introducing the theology of liberation. Gustavo was one of these theologians, who strongly believed and spread the new theology based off of the less fortunate of his country.
Gustavo Gutierrez was born in Lima, Peru in 1928. Since his nationality is mixed people called him a mestizo, which also meant that he was not given the same opportunities as most people due to economic standing. With this kind of upbringing led to his theological thinking and theology. As a young child Gutierrez was diagnosed with osteomylitis, which affects the bones, causing him to be bed bound for six years. Having this medical problem at a young age encourage him to study medicine. During his time in school he started to learn more about himself, which led to him changing schools to peruse seminary and become a priest. Gustavo was proving himself in seminary and was chosen for his graduate theological studies to study in Europe. In 1959 he was ordained and sent back to Peru. Upon his return he became aware of the poverty and oppression of his people and this realization launched his crusade. He began questioning the church reading about history and scripture through the eyes of the people who were all around in his country of poverty. He became very involved with the people of Peru and he formed friendships with priest and theologians who were also questioning the catholic church of Latin America. After all the studying he had done in his graduate program in Europe, he started to leave the theology he was taught and began adopting a new theology called Liberation Theology.
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...overall I find this theology refreshing; it is always good to help the less fortunate as Jesus did many times. Gustavo Gutierrez had such a passion for helping the poor in Latin America, witnessing first hand of their lack of hope and helplessness. One interesting thing that stood out to me was when Gustavo talked about the different kinds of poor people. I never realized how cultures and different societies are forgotten through history. Generation after generation they remain poor never able to get out of poverty. People sometimes have this pre-conceived idea about the poor, how they are dirty and different and almost not even human. This is where so many are wrong and we should be helping them not just by donating money, clothes, food, but give them the tools and resources needed to get out of poverty and start a better life, or this endless cycle will continue.
...ligious life of the town of San Miguel and construction of its main temple which from 1872 he was raised to parish. But like everyone, this temple of the Holy Trinity underwent several transformations, for example: in the first decades of the 19th century was built the current altar; and from 1881 to 1897 he received major improvements, like the composure of the entire building, the purchase of pictures, furniture and several sacred ornaments as well as the construction of the chapels of the Tabernacle and Nuestra Señora de la Soledad and the arches of the entrance to the former chapel of the Entombment of Christ and the old sacristy; the most recent improvement was made in the last years of the 20th century, and which involved the National Institute of anthropology and history, the Government of the State and the father Carlos Cabrero, responsible for the parish.
Teja, Jesus F. De La. A Revolution Remembered: The Memoirs and Selected Correspondence of Juan N. Seguin. Austin: State House Press, 1991.
One of the most interesting aspects of Diaz’s narrative is towards the end when Cortés broaches the subject of Christianity with Montezuma. Conversion and missionary work was one of the most important and lasting goals of the conquistadors and other contemporary explorers, they were charged with this duty by the rulers who sent t...
Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina came into the world on October 24, 1891. He was born in the small city of San Cristobal in the Dominican Republic. He was the son of Jose Trujillo Valdez and Altagracia Julia Molina. Trujillo’s parents were married on September 24, 1887 in San Cristobal. Trujillo’s father was a merchant and was dedicated to buy and sell items that he could make a profit from. His mother was a housewife and was considered very sweet and kind hearted by those who knew her . Not much is known about Trujillo’s childhood and family because he had records changed to not bring any shame brought onto his name. What is known is that he was...
Our readings from Luke’s Gospel portray those in poverty as the people who will inherit the earth and be by Christ’s side in the kingdom of heaven. In the Gospel of Luke, it states, “Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours” (6:20). Our readings from scripture paint a picture that suggests that those who are suffering in the world during their lifetime, will be
...time. Las Casas’ retains a basic concern for the spread of the gospel. Yet he attends to what the gospel itself means for how it should be spread. Church and state, contends Las Casas, commandeer the power of Christ when they compel conversion by violence. Thus, they abrogate the very civilization and gospel they claim to serve. For Las Casas, the true messengers of God adhere to the true message of God: they call people to Christ by the love due to equal, rational beings created in the image of God.
Pope Francis, the 266th pope, spreads his kindness throughout the world through his humility and approachability. He travels the world, supporting the poor and unfortunate. Pope Francis has served as both archbishop and cardinal for more than 12 years. This definitely shows his dedication to follow God's teachings and spread it everywhere he can.
El padre de Diego era en ese momento un inspector en el Departamento Nacional de Salud Pública, un trabajo que le llevó a muchas partes de México. En uno de sus viajes al estado de Vera Cruz, mostró el gobernador Teodoro Dehesa, algunas de las pinturas de su hijo. El gobernador estaba muy impresionado y cuando se reunió con Diego, él le ofreció una beca para estudiar en Europa. Diego organizó una exposición ...
Henderson, T. "Modern Latin American History Lecture." Auburn University Montgomery, Montgomery, AL. Sept. 2011. Lecture.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century the cultural and societal foundations were laid for the newly formed nations of the America. Both José Enrique Rodó and Jose Marti made large contributions to the development of Latin America through their literature. Both sought to improve and encourage the people of The America’s, however it is Jose Marti who truly succeeds in inspiring a national pride in his writing Our America.
During the first century Europe was plagued with many different wars for political and religious agendas. At this time Christianity was still just a new trend and seen by many the way that we see doomsday cults today. Rather than making it impossible for Christianity to get a foothold in the people, the new Christianity trend used the turmoil as a doorway through which it was able to find strong followers. Saint James, known in Spanish as Santiago, was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus; during his lifetime he came to Spain to preach the gospel, probably following a route that leads to the "End of the Earth" which held a great deal of mythical and mystical value to Europeans (Lehelma). During this time the Moors, or Arabs, were in the process of expanding their territory, infringing upon many people's lands and belief systems. In the year 711 Visogothic Spain had nearly been conquered by the Moors, and the Spaniards were in dire need of a savior. Thus follows the birth of the Cult of Saint James. During the battle of Clavijo Saint James appeared as a holy warrior fighting for Ramiro I of Leon, attempting to push back and defeat the troops of Abdurrahaman II. The image of Saint James the Moor-slayer,mounted horseback striking down all Moors in his path with a mighty sword, however grotesque, was then used to strengthen the Christian resistance to the Arabs.
Simon Bolivar is one of the most powerful and influential figures in the history of Latin America, a hero who led the movement for independence for several Latin American nations, a military and political leader with his own personal story full of tragic and dramatic moments. During his lifetime he helped to liberate people of Venezuela, Colombia, Perú, Ecuador and Bolivia from Spanish domination, played a big role in foundation of Gran Colombia and setting the principles of democracy. Even though Bolivar was not very well-known around the world, he was always held in respect among people in Latin America and remembered as a man who had an authority and power. Bolivar’s integrity, high moral standards, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds made him a role model to many people. Simon Bolivar is a brave character whose leadership and risks turn against him when he least expects it. Bolívar's dream had always been to cause an American Revolution-style federation among all the newly independent republics in Latin America, where with a new government set up solely to recognize and support the rights of the individual. Gabriel Garcia Marquez in his book “The General in His Labyrinth” changes or “twists” a little the representation of the Latin American hero. First of all, Marquez never really references Simon Bolivar by his name, but only as “The Liberator”. His idea behind the book was to change the traditional heroic portrayal of Simon Bolivar and show an old man who is suffering through his illness and mental exhaustion.
Life in Mexico was, before the Revolution, defined by the figure of the patron that held all of power in a certain area. Juan Preciado, who was born in an urban city outside of Comala, “came to Comala because [he] had been told that [his] father, a man named Pedro Paramo lived there” (1). He initially was unaware of the general dislike that his father was subjected to in that area of Mexico. Pedro was regarded as “[l]iving bile” (1) by the people that still inhabited Comala, a classification that Juan did not expect. This reveals that it was not known by those outside of the patron’s dominion of the cruel abuse that they levied upon their people. Pedro Paramo held...
The first Catholic priests came to South America with the conquistadors and through social and political force superimposed 16th century Catholicism upon conquered peoples and in subsequent generations upon slaves arriving in the New World. Catholicism has, likewise, frequently absorbed, rather than confronted, popular folk religious beliefs. The resulting religion is often overtly Catholic but covertly pagan. Behind the Catholic facade, the foundations and building structure reflect varying folk religious traditions. (2)
This has opened my eyes to the plight and struggles of others. We are all God 's children and as Christians, we must be compassionate towards the difficulties and suffering others are facing. It is up to us as a society and people of God to help the underprivileged. We must be their advocate. We must let them know that there are people who care. Working with the many volunteers (mostly high school and college students) at my church, I have learned that there are people who care and give selflessly and generously their time and resources to help those less fortunate than they are. Serving the less fortunate has given me the most self-gratification I have ever experience. It is a wonderfully intrinsic feeling that is indescribable. I have learned that it is my and the responsibility of the community to come together and serve the less fortunate. Most importantly, we must give unselfishly of ourselves to better the needs of others. By doing this we are setting an example and paving the way for a better nation and starting the process of eliminating hunger and homeless from the wealthiest country in the