JS423 assignment 1: lecture 1

Robin Martine Eve-Macleod
Grad dip ed

Lecture 1

Political & Liberation Theology:
After Reagan’s peace accord in Latin America, the Guatemalan government were reluctant to participate in assessing human rights violations because many of those involved in the atrocities where still in positions of authority.

The Arch Diocese instigated a separate inquiry led by Bishop Juan Geradi “…the starting point of liberation theology is…the here-and-nowness of what is happening,” (McAfee Brown p.52).
Bishop Geradi published his findings in 3 volumes titled “Nunca Mas” (No More).

Two nights later, Bishop Geradi was betrayed and shot by the military, his killers were not found, until much later when Pope John Paul had Geradi’s case re-opened. He was killed because his report made common cause with the poor and helpless who had suffered at the hands of those who were still in power: “Liberation theologians…are talking about commitment to the poor, by which they mean taking sides with the poor in their struggle to escape from poverty and attain human dignity.” (McAfee Brown P.56).

The reports main theme of repatriation of those who died and were buried in anonymous mass grave was put into practice. Bodies from the graves overflowed from the small, local churches, and were laid out in the town square, for burial in very public ceremonies, lasting up to three days. This public display of personal loss and grief was essential to the community on many levels: It offered those who had lost loved ones closure: Reassured the community that no-one is forgotten: As a public acknowledgement that injustice had been done to the individuals and the community often by those who inhabit the institutions that made up the town square.

Repatriation of the dead was insisted on by the Church for several reasons: Christian burial is an essential part of pastoral care for the local priest, it is his duty: On a theological level this was an essential public announcement that the Church, and therefore God, stand in solidarity with justice. That God will not allow the darkness to keep hidden injustice, He will shine the light of awareness and compassion on those in need of justice, “The liberationist message …is that things need not remain the way they are, for the biblical God is working actively for justice and seeks to enlist all of God’s people in the struggle.” (McAfee Brown P.62).

Reference:
McAfee Brown, R. “A New Way of Encountering God,” ‘Liberation Theology’, An Introductory Guide.