Condemnation of Jon Sobrino SJ March 2007

12 March 2007


2007/57


Dear Friends,

Jon Sobrino SJ

It is with great sadness that I received the news this morning that the Latin American theologian and Jesuit Jon Sobrino SJ has been under doctrinal investigation by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Further, on the 10th March several Spanish newspapers announced that he and the Jesuit Superior General have decided not to appeal to such condemnation that will be made public this week. The effect on a frail and ill Sobrino would be difficult to predict but he has been forbidden from writing and speaking in public about his theology. The main accusation is that he has not stressed enough in his writing the divinity of Christ and has put too much emphasis on the historical Jesus and the Jesus of history.

I have studied his theology and have written a full chapter on his life and theology for volume II of The History and Politics of Latin American Theology, SCM Press, 2007. He remains a dear friend and an example of commitment to the poor and the marginalized in El Salvador, his land of adoption. He had all his Jesuit community at the University of Central America assassinated on the 16th November 1989 and despite that he returned to El Salvador and to his theological work.

The condemnation by the Vatican is particularly disheartening as all the Latin American Bishops prepare to gather at Aparecida, Brazil, for the 5th General Meeting of the Latin American Episcopal Conference in May. Pope Benedict XVI, previously Cardinal Ratzinger, who humiliated Gustavo Gutiérrez and Leonardo Boff in the same manner, will open the conference. I ask for your solidarity with Jon, on behalf of Gustavo and others who like me are in shock. Jon Sobrino has decided not to defend himself and he is too tired and ill to challenge those accusations while he has the full backing of the Jesuits.

In hope and in sadness,

Mario