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Witness History: Silenced by the Vatican

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29/01/2024 GMT

Silenced by the Vatican

BBC World Service - Witness History, Silenced by the Vatican

How Brazilian priest Leonardo Boff was punished for his writing on liberation theology

In the 1980s, Brazilian priest Leonardo Boff was punished for his writing on liberation theology. It was deemed "dangerous to the faith".

In September 1984, the Brazilian theologian Leonardo Boff was summoned to Rome, facing accusations that his writing and teachings were "dangerous to the faith".

He is a leading proponent of liberation theology, which says the Church should push for social equality. Leonardo was called to appear before the Roman Catholic Church’s highest tribunal.

A year later, he was banned from writing, teaching or speaking publicly. Now in his late 80s and no longer a priest, he tells Mike Lanchin about that turbulent time.  

A CTVC production for BBC World Service.

(Photo: Leonardo Boff preaching outside a church to followers of Liberation Theology. Credit: Bernard Bisson/Sygma/Getty Images)

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