Liberation theology is a movement within Christianity. At its roots is a belief that true work means working toward the alleviation of suffering, poverty, and oppression. The founder of liberation theology is often noted as Gustavo Gutierrez, a Peruvian Priest. It is a philosophy that is heavily influenced by Marxism, and doesn’t look kindly on the current incarnation of capitalism. The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development is one Catholic organization that espouses a view typical of liberation theology.
The goal of maximum profit–the cornerstone of the capitalist economy–is at odds with the promotion of human dignity. One doesn’tÂ?t need to be a Christian or a Catholic to see this.When work dehumanises, or simply exhausts the energy and will to want to work, then this kind of work is incompatible with nature and with the dignity of human beings created at the image of God.
The god ‘profit’ has superseded the God of life and dignity.
-Freud Jean, CAFOD partner, Haiti
More information about the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development