It is with deep respect that the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) marks the passing of Gustavo Gutiérrez, a Peruvian philosopher, Catholic theologian, and Dominican priest who forever shaped Christian thought and social justice. Gutiérrez passed away on October 22, 2024, at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire movements for justice, faith, and human dignity.
Reflecting on his life, Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi, the general secretary of the WCRC, expressed heartfelt gratitude: “We thank God for his life. He had the wisdom of God to know that our Christian calling is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ who came to liberate the oppressed. He taught us how as people of faith to stand with people in the margins. May he rest in peace.”
“With the death of Rev. Gustavo Gutiérrez, the church loses a voice for the poor. He inspired many with his liberation theology, opening our eyes to social justice and the liberation of the oppressed. Gutiérrez encouraged new voices from the margins and left a profound impact on the social teaching of the church. As a communion, we see our justice work rooted in his thinking, and the Accra Confession is one expression inspired by Gutiérrez,” said Rev. Najla Kassab, president of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC).
Born in Lima, Peru, in 1928, Gutiérrez became internationally renowned as the father of Latin American liberation theology. This movement transformed Christian doctrine by placing the suffering of the poor and marginalized at the heart of its mission. His seminal work, A Theology of Liberation (1971), reshaped theological thought by stressing the Church’s obligation to stand in solidarity with the oppressed. Gutiérrez argued that Christian faith must engage in the struggle for social justice, seeing the liberation of the poor as inseparable from spiritual salvation.
“To know God is to do justice.” – Gustavo Gutiérrez
At the core of Gutiérrez’s teaching was the principle of the “preferential option for the poor”—the idea that the most vulnerable should be the central focus of Christian practice. His integration of spirituality and activism was revolutionary, emphasizing that faith is not passive but a force for transformation. His theology went on to influence religious thought, social movements, political discourse, and grassroots activism across Latin America and beyond, inspiring generations of theologians, clergy, and laypeople to see their faith as a tool for change.
Reflecting on Gutiérrez’s influence, Rev. Dr. Dario Barolin, a pastor of the Waldensian Church in Uruguay, highlighted Gutiérrez’s insightful reflections in his book On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent, which addressed one of the most pressing theological challenges of our time: “How are we to talk about a God who is revealed as love in a situation characterized by poverty and oppression? How are we to proclaim the God of life to men and women who die prematurely and unjustly? How are we to acknowledge that God makes us a free gift of love and justice when we have before us the suffering of the innocent? What words are we to use in telling those who are not even regarded as persons that they are the daughters and sons of God?”
“Gutiérrez’s theology found in the Book of Job a cry for justice that resonates in the voices of millions today who suffer under oppression. His liberation theology invites us to encounter ‘the crucified’ in the faces of those marginalized and exploited in a world still marked by inequalities,” said Barolin.
As a Dominican priest, Gutiérrez dedicated his life to working among the poor in Lima’s barrios. His pastoral ministry reflected his belief that the Church’s mission must be intertwined with the call to justice. He believed the Church’s role was not only to preach but to act—particularly in confronting systemic injustice. This commitment earned him numerous accolades, including the Prince of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities. His friendship with Pope Francis, who embraced many principles of liberation theology, further solidified his standing as a prophetic voice in the Church’s modern history.
Rev. Dr. Chris Ferguson, former general secretary of the WCRC, echoed this sentiment, noting that: “More than any other single person, Gustavo Gutiérrez was the theologian responsible for the lifting up of God’s preferential option for the poor, which is so central to WCRC’s confessing theology and praxis. Within all the prophetic contributions of liberation theologies, Father Gustavo specifically impacted Reformed thinking by his biblically rooted linking of liberation and the poor in the saving activity of the God of life.”
Ferguson also pointed to Article 24 of the Accra Confession, which focuses on God as the God of Justice and boldly declares, “God is in a special way the God of the destitute, the poor, the exploited, the wronged, and the abused.” Gutiérrez’s insights deeply enriched Reformed theology, reinforcing the connection between God’s saving work and the struggle for justice and dignity for the poor.
Notre Dame University (2019): A significant gathering of the 5 Communions that joined the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (JDDJ). Gutiérrez joined for the final dinner, eager to discuss the WCRC’s association statement on the important relationship between justification and justice. Photo: Chris Ferguson
Gutiérrez’s influence also extended deeply into the ecumenical movement, especially among Reformed churches, where his message of justice and liberation resonated with the Reformed tradition’s emphasis on social righteousness. He was a bridge-builder, advocating for dialogue between Christian traditions in the pursuit of peace, justice, and human dignity.
In addition to his theological work, Gutiérrez was an esteemed academic. He held the John Cardinal O’Hara Professorship of Theology at the University of Notre Dame and taught at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. He was a visiting professor at leading institutions in North America and Europe and a member of the Peruvian Academy of Language. In 1993, the French government awarded him the Legion of Honor for his relentless work in advancing the cause of the poor.
The World Communion of Reformed Churches celebrates the life and legacy of Gustavo Gutiérrez, whose theological vision will continue to guide and inspire the global Church’s mission. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his Dominican brothers and sisters, and all who were touched by his work. His memory will endure in the hearts of those committed to justice and liberation.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
(Matthew 5:6)
May Gustavo Gutiérrez rest in eternal peace.