Discuss the impact of liberation theology in Latin America up to 1980.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the impact of liberation theology in Latin America up to 1980. Liberation theology was a religious movement that sought to apply religious faith by aiding the poor and oppressed through involvement in political and civic affairs. In Latin America, liberation theologians specifically targeted the disparities between rich and poor in the social and economic orders within the nations’ political and corporate structures. Candidates may discuss that the movement gained strength in Latin America during the 1970s when many countries were under the control of dictatorships. Since the movement stated that ministry should include involvement in political struggle, liberation theologians were often criticized as Marxists and persecuted. Candidates may also discuss one of the most radical aspects of liberation theology: the reorganization of church practices through the model of Christian base communities. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example the fact that the movement faced the opposition of the US and the Vatican and this had an impact on the extent it gained. Candidates may refer to specific examples of priests involved in the liberation theology, such as: Gustavo Gutiérrez (Peru), Leonardo Boff (Brazil) and Juan Luis Segundo (Uruguay). Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The discussion of the impact of liberation theology in Latin America up to 1980 produced a number of commendable responses; some showed detailed knowledge on the movement itself, and some managed to focus on the impact all throughout, supporting their statements with specific examples.