Vatican to punish priest, sources say [Liberation theologian Father Jon Sobrino]

Los Angeles Times ^ | March 14, 2007 | Tracy Wilkinson

[Alex Murphy]

ROME — The Vatican is preparing to discipline Father Jon Sobrino, a well-known proponent of liberation theology who worked for decades in El Salvador even as fellow priests were murdered, church sources said Tuesday.

Sobrino will be sanctioned for alleged errors in his teachings and writings about the divinity of Jesus, according to members of his Jesuit order in Rome. A Vatican spokesman this week confirmed to reporters that an investigation was underway.

Sobrino, who resides in San Salvador and is affiliated with the University of Central America there, was expected to comment on the punishment after the Vatican makes a formal announcement later this week, associates at the school said.

Although the censure was expected to focus on specific theological points, Sobrino's supporters immediately decried what they saw as the silencing of an important voice for the poor and disenfranchised.

His punishment reportedly will include a ban on future teaching and publishing. However, other colleagues noted that the 68-year-old priest was weakened by diabetes and semiretired, so it was unclear how great an impact the restriction would have.

Still, many saw a message in the criticism of one of the last champions of liberation theology, a political and sometimes radical interpretation of Roman Catholicism that emphasizes justice for the poor. The controversial school of thought was despised by the conservative church hierarchy, which believed it departed from core dogma.

The order against Sobrino will be issued by the Vatican's watchdog arm, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and will carry the approval of Pope Benedict XVI who, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, led efforts to stamp out liberation theology.

[Incorrigible]

 

How did I go through 8 years of Jesuit education without becoming a heretic?!

 

[GSlob]

Well, if he has one foot in the grave, and is greeting the future with another, then there is not that much point in banning him from further teaching and publishing. He's already caused most of his harm.

[ArrogantBustard]

Protestant, Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, Anglican, Episcopal, Presbyterian, African Methodist Episcopal, Full Gospel, Dutch Reformed, Lutheran, Simply Christian, Undocumented, IECIDIO, Blitiri and any other form of not-Catholic, not-Orthodox that in my utter stupidity I have failed to mention by name critics of the Catholic Church have often complained that we fail to discipline the obvious heretics in our ranks. I hold out the hope that some of them will recognise this action as a step in the right direction.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

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[Alex Murphy]

...critics of the Catholic Church have often complained that we fail to discipline the obvious heretics in our ranks. I hold out the hope that some of them will recognise this action as a step in the right direction.

It's a step. Too small, too focused, and seveal decades too late IMO, but at least it's a step.

[ArrogantBustard]

Still, many saw a message in the criticism of one of the last champions of liberation theology, a political and sometimes radical interpretation of Roman Catholicism that emphasizes justice for the poor. The controversial school of thought was despised by the conservative church hierarchy, which believed it departed from core dogma.

BTW, I'd like to point out the MSM errors in this AP story:

1) The Theology of Liberation did not merely "emphasize justice for the poor". It taught that the Gospel is summed up in collective economics and "salvation" in this world, by one's own efforts (or the efforts of the collective).

2) It doesn't just "depart from core dogma" ... it's a combination of Marxism and Pelagianism. It's outright heresy.

NEVER trust the MSM.

[BlackElk]

There is nothing about Sobrino that cannot be cured by defrocking him and excommunicating him and humiliating him. He is yet another embarrassment to the once Catholic Jesuit order. If Kolvenbach can be punished similarly for harboring Sobrino in the Jesuit order, that would be a bonus.

[Alex Murphy]

There is nothing about Sobrino that cannot be cured by defrocking him and excommunicating him and humiliating him. He is yet another embarrassment to the once Catholic Jesuit order. If Kolvenbach can be punished similarly for harboring Sobrino in the Jesuit order, that would be a bonus.

Amen, amen, and amen. You've expressed exactly my own sentiments on the matter. Thanks for pinging me to your comments!

[BlackElk]

Thank you for your kind comments. May God bless you and yours.