Question 4.86

4.86 In Latin America, liberation theology intended precisely to help the poorest of the poor in societies with great inequalities. What do you think about that movement?

I heard about liberation theology when I was still in Africa. As I began my reading, I was interested by this way of putting the poor at the center of attention. In my country, and in many other African regions, we were experiencing economic difficulties similar to those in Latin American countries. In Africa, however, our search was more cultural, inasmuch as we wanted to understand the best way to connect our traditional heritage to Christianity. Still, liberation theology was not without a certain charm. Personally, when I understood the Marxist origins of some proponents of that theology, I immediately distanced myself from it. I saw too well in my country the consequences of the Communist ideology. The theory of class struggle was central to the politics of Sékou Touré. This bleak view of social realities was at the origin of many of the social ills in Guinea. In claiming to help those who are destitute, without promoting their freedom and responsibility, they were only aggravating the distress of the population. I did not see how the word “struggle” itself could become the center of Christian doctrine.

The Church’s battle is focused on the conversion of hearts. This is possible only if there is human soil ready to be sown by God’s grace. Finally, in Africa, liberation theology had limited repercussions. I would even say that the deviations in that theology did not suit the African soul.