VATICAN CITY (CNS): The Vatican has strongly criticised the work of Jesuit Father Jon Sobrino, a leading proponent of liberation theology, saying some of his writings relating to the divinity of Christ were “not in conformity with the doctrine of the Church”.
In publishing a detailed notification on March 14, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said it wanted to warn pastors and ordinary Catholics of the “erroneous or dangerous propositions” in Fr Sobrino’s work.
The notification did not, however, impose any disciplinary measures on Fr Sobrino, such as limiting his right to teach or publish as a Catholic theologian.
Fr Sobrino, 69, was born in Spain and has taught for many years at the Jesuit-run Central American University in El Salvador.
Fr Sobrino, in a letter to Jesuit superior Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, said the criticisms in the Vatican notification misrepresented his theology.
He said the notification was part of an effort by some Vatican curial officials and other Church leaders to put an end to liberation theology.