Father Sobrino says Vatican criticism tries to end liberation theology

Published: 2007-03-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In a sharply worded letter to his religious superior, Jesuit Father Jon Sobrino said that a Vatican document criticizing his work is an effort "to put an end to the theology of liberation." Father Sobrino defended his theology and said that there is an a priori attitude among many Vatican officials and Latin American bishops against him and other liberation theologians. The letter was sent to Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, superior general of the Society of Jesus, after Father Kolvenbach had sent Father Sobrino a notification by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith strongly criticizing theological aspects of two of Father Sobrino's books. The notification was dated Nov. 26 and made public at the Vatican March 14. Father Sobrino wrote the letter in early December. His letter was posted March 13 on the Web site Atrio which posts documents on Catholicism and other religions. Jesuit sources said the letter was authentic.

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