Page "Liberation theology" Paragraph 23

In March 1983, Cardinal Ratzinger ( now Pope Benedict XVI ) head of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith ( CDF ), made ten observations of Gutiérrez's theology, accusing Gutiérrez of politically interpreting the Bible in supporting temporal messianism, and stating that the predominance of orthopraxis over orthodoxy in his thought proved a Marxist influence.

Ratzinger objected that the spiritual concept of the Church as " People of God " is transformed into a " Marxist myth.

" In liberation theology he declared, the " people is the antithesis of the hierarchy, the antithesis of all institutions, which are seen as oppressive powers.

Ultimately anyone who participates in the class struggle is a member of the " people "; the " Church of the people " becomes the antagonist of the hierarchical Church.