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Talks by Gustavo Gutiérrez, OP – noted for his foundational work in liberation theology – and Carolyn Woo, president and CEO of Catholic Relief Services, highlight this month’s events sponsored by the Boston College Church in the 21st Century Center.
Fr. Gutiérrez will speak on Nov. 16 and also receive the President’s Medal for Excellence from University President William P. Leahy, SJ. The John Cardinal O’Hara Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, Fr. Gutiérrez will present “My Faith Story within the Story of Liberation Theology” at 4:30 p.m. in the Heights Room of Corcoran Commons.
A native of Peru, Fr. Gutiérrez is the author of Teología de la Liberación (A Theology Liberation), considered the seminal text of liberation theology, in which he espoused a spirituality rooted in solidarity with the poor and advocated for a change in social and economic institutions to promote social justice. He has received numerous honorary degrees and awards from institutions around the world, and his honors also include induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Woo’s lecture, “Working for a Better World: The Story of Catholic Relief Services and Carolyn Woo,” will take place Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. in Gasson 100, co-sponsored with University Mission and Ministry. She will discuss the agency’s growth and development, and her own experiences and impressions as its head.
Established during the height of World War II to aid European refugees, Catholic Relief Services has become one of the world’s foremost organizations for the needy, building on a tradition of providing relief in emergency situations while seeking to help people in the developing world “break the cycle of poverty through community-based, sustainable development initiatives,” according to the agency website.
Woo, who became CRS director in 2012, was one of five presenters in Rome at the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment in June. Her faith journey and work at CRS are recounted in her recently published book, Working for a Better World.
To register for these lectures, and for information on C21 events on their website.