“Más que la palabra escrita”—“More than the written word”: the oral traditions of Gustavo Gutiérrez’ theology

“Gustavo Gutiérrez once said, “I am an oral person, I am more than the written word,” and with a new archive of decades of oral recordings of his lectures and retreats, we can now examine the oral contours of his transformative and at times controversial theology. ”

Team Members/Contributors

Leonel Guardado Fordham University Contact Me

About this grant for researchers

The October 2024 passing of Gustavo Gutiérrez, one of the 20th century’s most important and prophetic theologians, has generated increased interest in his theological legacy. My project will contribute to shaping his legacy through an analysis of the almost 400 audio lectures contained in the Gutiérrez archives in Lima, Peru, which have not been previously accessible to scholars. Additional oral interviews with colleagues with whom he worked for decades will also aid in discerning the evolution of the oral traditions of Gutiérrez’ theology and their relationship to his well-known written work. Methodologically, my prior experience with archives and with ethnographic research equip me to carry out this project. Additionally, my in-depth knowledge of Gutiérrez’ writings and my familiarity with his way of thinking, having served as his close collaborator, give me a unique perspective on the accents of his theology. For the past two years I worked at editing Gutiérrez final book, which was published in June 2025 in Spanish, with a preface from Pope Francis. As Gutiérrez’ posthumously published book makes its way into an English translation, in addition to Italian, French, German, and Portuguese, my project with the Gutiérrez archives on the orality of his theology will continue to open new lines of inquiry in Gutiérrez studies for years to come.