Monday, May 4, 2015

KGB Invented Liberation Theology

Edit: a reader sent this fascinating report from Breitbart. We thinking could be of general interest.

In a startling new interview, a 3-star general and former head of Communist Romania’s secret police who defected to the United States in 1978, claims that the Theology of Liberation was the creation of the KGB, who exported it to Latin America as a way of introducing Marxism into the continent.

Ion Mihai Pacepa has been called “the Cold War’s most important defector,” and after his defection, the Romanian government under Nicolae Ceausescu placed two death sentences and a $2 million bounty on his head. During the more than ten years that Pacepa worked with the CIA, he made what the agency described as “an important and unique contribution to the United States.”

He is reported in fact to have given the CIA “the best intelligence ever obtained on communist intelligence networks and internal security services.”

http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/05/02/highest-ranking-cold-war-defector-the-kgb-invented-liberation-theology/

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sure to be labeled a conspiracy theory. Anyone familiar with this perversion of academic enterprise will immediately recognize it as entirely likely, if not emphatically true. But surely, we will see no protest from Pope Bergoglio or his agent Maradiaga. Gee, if can’t turn the sheep into communists, you can at least turn them into protestants.

Aged parent said...

The late, great Hamish Fraser was writing about this back in the 1980s in his periodical, Approaches. As Hamish was a former Communist himself before converting to Catholicism, he was in a position to know.

Anonymous said...

The KGB link to 'liberation theology' is entirely plausible, but the substance or otherwise of the allegation is not really important. What really matters is so called liberation theology is contrary to Catholic teaching and should have been opposed vigorously by Catholic leadership both at source in South America and within the highest levels of the Vatican. Instead during the 1970's it was tolerated.
The latest innovation appearing with semi-official approval is what I call 'Theology of Globalism', which seems tailor-made for Europe and North America. Jorge has signed onto the globalist agenda and is trying to dress it up with a bit of fake theology.

Anonymous said...

John Paul 2 attacked liberation theology in South America when he visited there. Can't recall the year.

Gabriel said...

Cardinal Mueller has not condemned Liberation Theology; he has written and co-written books about it as well as having been a student of and co-worker with Gustavo Gutierrez OP.
Mueller has declare Liberation Theology as orthodox Catholic because 'its praxis is orthodox.'

christine said...

Too bad your links don't work....I'm sure I can find my way to this article.

Barnum said...

Well, that tangential observation trumps Pacepa, Wojtyla, and Ratinger, the experience of bishops who actually lived under communism and know its sound, smell, and texture, and other Latin American ecclesiastics who oppose Lib Theology, doesn't it?

Interesting links found in the Wiki article on the Franciscan Gutierrez:

Black liberation theology
Christian communism
Christian left
Christian socialism
Class struggle
Liberation theology
Progressive Christianity
Radical Christianity
Social gospel
Social justice

Nothing about anyone being housed or fed there? Weren't the Poor Clares and Capuchins doing that already? Where are the Lib Theologists an improvement on these orders; where have they been living examples of the Beatitudes? Why Gaybriel, I'd bet that the number of Broadway musicals you've seen since 1988 is equal or greater than the number of poor people who have clothed or housed by Liberation Theology since then.

Anonymous said...

Here's some more inconvenience:

"But within a single week in early September 2013, the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, published an interview with Father Gutierrez, an article by the theologian himself, and two articles praising his work -- one of them by the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbishop Gerhard L. Muller.

Following years of Vatican criticism of liberation theology under Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, these events might seem to indicate a reversal of policy under Pope Francis. It would be more accurate to say they represent the fruit of a long and painful process, through which the church has clarified the nature of its commitment to the world's poor today."

Anonymous said...

@Gabriel:

So what? If what Pacepa says is true, then nothing that Mueller does can change it, and if the Catholic Church is now embracing Liberation Theology, then it is in deep spiritual skubalon.

Gabriel said...

"If" ......"If" is not a strong argument.
Look at the source of the article in the first place. Breitbart's bread and butter is conspiracy theories seized upon by the uncritical, the weak minded and those too lazy to do a bit of reading.

Anonymous said...

@Gabriel:

What argument? You threw out a piece about Mueller. I showed what you threw out answered nothing of concern. It's up to you to prove your contention now, that it is all false. Insults are no argument at all, I might remind you.

Anonymous said...

P.S. While you're working up steam, Gabriel, you might throw a few insults the way of CNA as well:

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/former-soviet-spy-we-created-liberation-theology-83634/

Anonymous said...

Lib Theo comes back to life, is embraced by Church:

"And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy. ... And I saw one of his heads as it were slain to death: and his death's wound was healed. And all the earth was in admiration after the beast." (Revelation 13:1&3)

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, Gabriel has a penchant for collapsing a multitude of different individuals into one conglomerate enemy and then stereotyping him and hurling insults at him. In this he behaves a lot like Pope Francis.

Anonymous said...

The systematic infiltration of the Catholic seminaries in the early 20th century by the communists is well known. Of course, all of these nefarious movements - feminism, "gender theory", sodomy and fornication, etc., were funded heavily by the Rockefellers and other powerful banker elites for the purposes of gaining ever more control over the population, whilst killing off most through contraception, sterilisation, abortion, "euthanasia", etc.

Anonymous said...

Fr Malachi Martin's book on the corruption of the Jesuits into communists, tells the story of how it was spearheaded in South America.

susan said...

"In this he behaves a lot like Pope Francis."

....and Saul Alinski.

Anonymous said...

Gabriel,
Click on the link below and read:

"Cardinal [Muller]: Liberation Theology needed separation from Marxism"

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/cardinal-liberation-theology-needed-separation-from-marxism/

"Rome, Italy, Feb 25, 2014 / 05:54 pm (CNA).- At his recent book presentation, a Vatican cardinal explained that although Marxist ideology had sought to influence Liberation Theology, the two have ultimately been shown incompatible.
[...]
"But, he added, 'when a new theology is developing, there are issues to clarify.'

"The need for a clarification led the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to issue two instructions. The first, 'Libertatis Nuntius,' issued in 1984, condemned the Liberation Theology Marxist orientation, while the second, 'Libertatis Conscientia,' issued in 1986, ackowledged the Liberation Theology preferential option for the poor.

“'In this part of the story, the ideology of Soviet Communism put great pressure on Liberation Theology,' Cardinal Mueller said.

"He then added that “\'the Church speaks about poor in a very different way than the Communists do. Christians do not dream of an earthly Paradise, and the Communists always blamed us that the Church only deals with Heaven.'

"However, the cardinal stressed, the Church cannot deal 'only with earthly things. Man lives in this world, in a world created by God, but he also has a divine and eternal universal vocation.'

“'The Church’s task today is coexisting in modern society, but at the same time underscoring that man’s ultimate aim is the Triune God, the God made man, the God of love.'

“'If we forget the ultimate aim, we cannot argue anything in favor of human dignity, because we can speak of equality among men only if we refer to God,' Cardinal Mueller stressed.

"This is exactly the reason, he continued, why Benedict XVI chose as the theme of the 2007 Aparecida conference 'Disciples and missionaries of Jesus Christ' and also wanted the other phrase of the title – 'That all may have life' – to end by specifying: 'in Him.'

The Aparecida document and its focus on evangelization guides the narrative of the book by the cardinal, who minimized the split between Liberation Theology and orthodoxy, saying that 'more than a purification, there had been a clarification.'

“'We have had a dialogue, a serious discussion, because each topic can be approached by a different perspective, but each of us is rooted in the Doctrine of the Faith. Theology is really needed for the actualization of the Doctrine of the Church, but the Doctrine of the Church always remains the same, since the Doctrine of the Church is the Profession of Faith revealed from the Word of God.'”

Gabriel said...

This is just an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory allegation. The lazy, paranoid sloppy thinkers dine out on this stuff.
Why didn't JPII address this accusation and issue appropriate, authoritative instructions in "Pastores dabo Vobis?"

Anonymous said...

Bishop Sheen spoke often of the communist infiltration of the church. If I recall correctly he was responsible for bringing Bella Dodd, a prominent Amercian communist into the Church. If you can recall the Church before the Council and the abrupt change that followed -- it was rather like night and day -- you might not be so skeptical. It was particularly interesting to watch how newly ordained priests -- which were plenty at that time -- were given so much credence diespite their youth (I mean real youth -- like 26 and 27 years old).

Anonymous said...

Gabriel, the argument from silence is never a strong argument. It is often used by people who are too lazy to give positive proof of their own position, or who are simply intellectually incapable. If you have a strong counter argument to anyone, then write it up and get in published by a place like CNA.

Anonymous said...

Looks like there's confirmation from the CIA:

https://www.aei.org/publication/liberation-theology-and-the-kgb/

See also:

http://punchingbagpost.com/the-cia-always-knew-theology-of-liberation-was-invented-by-kgb/

Gabriel said...

Cardinal Mueller has affirmed that the Theology of Liberation expounded by Fr Gustavo Gutierrez OP is Catholic, orthodox and that its orthodoxy is supported by its orthopraxis. Mueller himself has been a student of Gutierrez and cooperated with him in publishing works on this theological area.

What the Breitbart conspiracy theory is asserting is that scholars and doctrinal authorities like Cardinal Meueller have been duped by outside ideologue plants. People who entertain this kind of turgid stuff are the intellectually lazy ones and the emotionally easily manipulated.
What's going on here is just part of the collective panic attack the so called conservatives have been experiencing since the election of Pope Francis. Have a look around blogdom and you'll see the high levels of aggression both overt and passive directed at Francis and any position he takes.
It's getting very close to schism and sede vacantism with many people. For some, it has already happened.

Gabriel said...

Anonymous 5:14, how about you show the way and write up a professional defence of the Breitbart claim and see if the academy takes you seriously.

Cardinal Mueller has backed Fr Gustavo Gutierrez OP and his school of Theology of Liberation affirming that it is demonstrably orthodox Catholic as it is supported by its orthopraxis. That's not an argument from silence!

The real subtext of this thread of Anonymous replies is the ongoing anti-Francis resentment and hysteria coming from the far right of the Conservative spectrum. These people have effectively lost their nerve and taken refuge in what is tantamount of schism or even sedevacantism. Even a little bit of literary criticism strips the pretence away from the crowing 'orthodoxy' of these people.

Barnum said...

Don't bother Gaybriel. It's Academix Nite at the circus, he chatting with his buddies, and they are all entranced with the man on the flying trapeze.

Gabriel said...

Apart then from the coward's castle cheap shot on my name, you are reduced to the trade mark arbitrary dismissal which is otherwise known as a capitulation.

Barnum said...

Really, Gaybriel? Capitulate to tedium, nonresponse, and deflection? You earn the cheap shot insofar as I repay the respect you pay other commenters. Speaking of cowards, you still didn't answer where liberation theology adds any improvement to what the traditional religious have been doing for the poor. Because you can't.

And let me ask you which of the cheap, i.e., lazy thoughts you disagree with:

"Sex changes"
Egalitarianism
Racism, or Anti-racism
Sexism, or Anti-sexism
"Homophobia," or Anti-homophobism
Equality of the sexes
Utraquism
Folk Mass
"statistical samples"
Gay marriage
First century Church

Gabriel said...

QED.

Barnum said...

You are Queer Every Day? Why do you confirm the obvious?

Anonymous said...

Conspiracies are real. Just because someone tries to convince you that it is a psychological weakness doesn't disprove a conspiracy theory when all the facts agree. Coincidence theories are absurd.

Anonymous said...

Gabriel, you don't follow do you? What makes you think this is about the Breitbart claim? You told Lynda: "Why didn't JPII address this accusation and issue appropriate, authoritative instructions in 'Pastores dabo Vobis?'" That's an argument from silence.

Then you make the large claim: "The real subtext of this thread of Anonymous replies is the ongoing anti-Francis resentment and hysteria coming from the far right of the Conservative spectrum." And then throw on a ton of disdain upon your imagined enemies, fulfilling Anonymous 8:29 AM's description of you.

That's a SELF QED, something like an own-goal in soccer.

Tancred said...

Sign...your... posts...

Anonymous said...

Exactly! When treason succeeds no one dare call it treason. I'm not in the habit of wearing a tin foil hat, but some conspiracy theories are in complete accord with the facts available to us 'little folk'. In many cases the conspiracy isn't even well disguised and is out in the open for those with the intelligence to do a bit of historical research.
It has been said before, and needs repeating: the evidence, such as we can glean, points to a conscious decision at the highest levels within the Church to use Vat II and subsequent developments to position the Church to function as a willing and facile tool in the ongoing New World Order program. The latest declarations by Jorge Bergoglio on immigration and environmentalism attest to this pretty obvious conclusion.
Signed, Gary.

susan said...

"Queer Every Day"...LOL. Think I'll make some popcorn and just watch this. :)

Barnum...you're takin' him to school....It's like watching a freight train take on a yugo....you wanna look away, but you just can't.

Anonymous said...

susanMay 1, 2015 at 11:48 AM

This is a freight train:

OK, this is gonna make gabriel's and his collective ilk's heads explode but I don't really give a rip anymore....

Medina needs to go....give the people sufficient and explicit warning to get out, cause on X date it is going to be turned to glass. Keep Mecca as a 'guarantee' chip, but let them know the crap is over...no more. And let it be said of Medina what the archeologists who have discovered the remains of Sodom and Gomorrah have discovered (much to their chagrin), "it was obliterated by some sort of massive fire event". (well duh, Sherlocks ...Jews and Christians have known that for millennia!)

And before you scream 'No nukes!...you beast!!!", it doesn't have to be nukes...just massive, overwhelming, stone-melting bombing of satan's second 'holiest' place, with the we-are-serious-as-death warning that if the crap continues, Mecca is next.

This is what should happen; but with obama and the bed-wetting modern GOP, we will simply be bent over further while being forced to ask, nay BEG, for more pain, rape, death, and mayhem from the demonically possessed. Baltimore is a microcosm of what the muslims are bringing, and what our modern crop of pols are selling us out to.

susan said...

whether intended as a compliment or not I take it as such...thank you.

Anonymous said...

Bergoglio, a socialist's dream, a Catholic's nightmare......BTW, in the 60ies and 70ies the then professor of dogmatic theology Joseph Ratzinger was spied by KGB and Stasi, much more when he became bishop and cardinal.....so what, are we all crazy gullibles? Wait and see. God bless+

Eriugena said...

May I take advantage if this comment section to inform you and your readers of news which is beginning to come out, but which has not yet been confirmed (therefore completely unofficial)? It seems Fr Fidenzio Volpi O.F.M. Cap. has died today, 6 May 2015, Feast of St John before the Latin Gate. May I ask everyone to pray a little while to Ss. Francis and Claire to ensure that his time in Purgatory is as short as possible.

Anonymous said...

If this is true, we will see the true colors of Pope Francis when he either pursues this abominable course or relents, and leaves these faithful friars and sisters to their apostolate.
God forgive them for what they have done to these doves.

Anonymous said...

Fra Gabriel does seem to have an inordinate affection for the current chaos. Don't worry. I am afraid you will be able to enjoy this hell on earth for quite a long time. Just don't do as they permit, or you might enjoy it longer.

Gabriel said...

Thank you Anon 10:52.
Another thing to keep in mind in this 'conversation' is that Card Jorge Bergoglio was a principal author of the Aparecida Document.
Its content and conceptual structure are clearly reflected in his first solo doctrinal statement as Pope, Evangelii Gaudium.

Gabriel said...

Susan, I advise you to study the standard Catholic Just War doctrine.
Your flights of violent, indiscriminate, aggressive fancy do not reflect this teaching let alone the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But I guess that counts for little with you:

"OK, this is gonna make gabriel's and his collective ilk's heads explode but I don't really give a rip anymore...."

susan said...

Do you even read?...or is it the comprehension you have trouble with...NB; I said get the people out and bomb the land/shrine/place. But I guess what's actually said counts for little with you. And I guess the continued slaughter of THOUSANDS of Christians; the theft and destruction of their land and property; the rape, torture, and maiming that continues and increases, unabated every single day, counts for little with you. Why don't' you use the hack liberal line and rail against the Crusades too?...but something tells me you've done that plenty of times already.

And as a final thought; I know I live rent-free in your head...flattering....but my comment from 3 posts ago has zero relevance to the current topic of this post...too much heat and butt-hurt from Barnum that you have to find a diversion?

Anonymous said...

Could this be what Our Lady of Fatima warned about when she spoke of Russia spreading her errors?

Steve Dalton said...

Ion Makai Pacepa's "Disinformation" was written by the man who helped establish liberation theology. Chapter 15 of his book gives the details.

Gabriel said...

What branch of Liberation Theology? And how would you establish whether or not Pacepa is trying to establish truth or to spread disruption and confusion among the lazy, the frightened and the easily led?

Anonymous said...

Welcome back, Gabriel. Speaking about spreading confusion, Gabriel, isn't this you over at Aleteia promoting sede vacantism in the comboxes?

http://www.aleteia.org/en/religion/article/pope-francis-faith-ever-ancient-ever-new-1-5212780504285184

Anonymous said...

Your what ifs carry no weight, Gabriel, unless you back them up with massive amounts of detail that others may either confirm or unconfirm, the way Pacepa has done. You react like one who is lazy, frightened, and easily led.

Steve Dalton said...

Gabe, read the book, and educate yourself about it.