Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Maps and Photographs
- Dedication
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction: From the Particular to the Global and Back to the Project
- Part 1 THE LAND AS PLACE
- Part 2 LIBERATION THEOLOGY
- Exodus
- Peacemakers Versus Disturbers of the Peace
- Liberation Theology and Vatican II
- Economic Development and Developing Revolutions
- Founders of Liberation Theology
- Leaders and Martyrs of the Revolution
- Martyrs of Liberation Theology
- Base Christian Communities (Communidades de Base)
- Liberation Theology in North America
- Liberation Theology: Jewish and Islamic
- Liberation Theology: Palestinian Christian
- Palestinian Resistance Groups
- The Peacemakers in Israel/Palestine
- Israeli Jewish Peace Groups
- Palestinian Christian and Muslim Peace Groups
- International Peace Groups
- Tragedy Behind the Theology
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- General Index
- Scripture Index
Liberation Theology and Vatican II
from Part 2 - LIBERATION THEOLOGY
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Maps and Photographs
- Dedication
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction: From the Particular to the Global and Back to the Project
- Part 1 THE LAND AS PLACE
- Part 2 LIBERATION THEOLOGY
- Exodus
- Peacemakers Versus Disturbers of the Peace
- Liberation Theology and Vatican II
- Economic Development and Developing Revolutions
- Founders of Liberation Theology
- Leaders and Martyrs of the Revolution
- Martyrs of Liberation Theology
- Base Christian Communities (Communidades de Base)
- Liberation Theology in North America
- Liberation Theology: Jewish and Islamic
- Liberation Theology: Palestinian Christian
- Palestinian Resistance Groups
- The Peacemakers in Israel/Palestine
- Israeli Jewish Peace Groups
- Palestinian Christian and Muslim Peace Groups
- International Peace Groups
- Tragedy Behind the Theology
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- General Index
- Scripture Index
Summary
What is Liberation Theology? To understand the evolution of Liberation Theology, one really needs to know the context in which Liberation Theology arose. As we all know, nothing transpires in a vacuum. Certainly the second Vatican Council's (Vatican II), held between 1962–1965, while it was not the beginning of Liberation Theology, came about from a reality where the ‘poor’ were not given preference, or deference, or even recognized as human beings of equal worth with those of means – the oligarchy and the rich. Vatican II took place as the great imbalance of power and wealth in the Southern Hemisphere was beginning to be felt and acknowledged. There were cracks and shifts in society, resulting in revolutions in Mexico (1911); Bolivia and Guatemala (1952); Cuba (1959) and in Santo Domingo, where the people resisted a United States’ invasion (1965).
Liberation Theology grew and developed in this context of terror and repression. People had nothing tangible to cling to, and so they turned to a God of compassion and strength to help them live through the darkness and desperation of their time. They also supported new leadership in opposition to the dictators who had oppressed them for so long. Chile elected Salvador Allende, a Marxist, as President. He was supported by the people, including Priests for Socialism, a group within the Catholic church. Allende was overthrown in a coup, in 1973, that was sponsored by the United States through the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
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- Chapter
- Information
- Shalom/Salaam/PeaceA Liberation Theology of Hope, pp. 113 - 119Publisher: Acumen PublishingPrint publication year: 2008