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Leonardo Boff | |
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.jpeg) Boff in 2003 | |
| Born | Genézio Darci Boff (1938-12-14)14 December 1938 (age 86) Concórdia,Santa Catarina, Brazil |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | Márcia Monteiro da Silva Miranda |
| Relatives | Clodovis Boff (brother) |
| Awards | Right Livelihood Award (in 2000) |
Leonardo Boff (Portuguese:[leoˈnaʁduˈbɔf]; bornGenézio Darci Boff,pronounced[ʒeˈnɛzjudaʁˈsiˈbɔf]; 14 December 1938) is a BrazilianCatholictheologian,philosopher writer, and formerCatholic priest known for his active support forLatin American liberation theology.[1]
He is professor emeritus of ethics, philosophy of religion, and ecology at theRio de Janeiro State University. In 2001, he received theRight Livelihood Award for "his inspiring insights and practical work to help people realise the links between human spirituality, social justice and environmental stewardship".
Boff was born in 1938 inConcórdia,Santa Catarina, Brazil. He entered theFranciscan Order in 1959 and was ordained aCatholic priest in 1964. He spent the following years studying for adoctorate intheology andphilosophy at theUniversity of Munich, which he received in 1970. Boff's doctoralthesis studied in what measure the Church can be a sign of the sacred and the divine in the secular world and in the process of liberation of the oppressed. His thesis was published inGerman in 1972 asDie Kirche als Sakrament im Horizont der Welterfahrung.[2] His brother is the theologianClodovis Boff.
Boff became one of the best-known supporters (along withGustavo Gutiérrez,Juan Luis Segundo andJon Sobrino) of the earlyliberation theologians. He was present in the first reflections that sought to articulate indignation against poverty and marginalisation with a promissory discourse onfaith, leading toLatin American liberation theology. He continues to be a controversial figure in theCatholic Church, primarily for his sharp criticism of the church's hierarchy, which he sees as "fundamentalist",[citation needed] but also for his political positions.
Boff is critical of secular power, as well ofAmerican foreign policy. He opposed theIraq War and consideredGeorge W. Bush andAriel Sharon's leadership to be similar to that of "fundamentalist terrorist states". He also criticizes despotic rulers in theMiddle East, saying: "Those [emirs and kings] are despotic, they do not even have a constitution. Though extremely rich, they maintain the people in poverty."[3]
Boff has voiced his supported for theCampaign for the Establishment of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, an organisation which advocates for democratic reform in the United Nations, and the creation of a more accountable international political system.[4]
Authorities in the Catholic Church did not consider Boff's views of the Church's leadership acceptable. They also saw his support of liberation theology as having "politicized everything" and reproached his proximity toMarxism. In 1985, theCongregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, directed at that time by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (laterPope Benedict XVI), silenced him for a year for his bookChurch: Charism and Power.[5] He later accused Ratzinger of "religious terrorism".[6]
Boff was almost silenced again in 1992 byRome, this time to prevent him from participating in the Eco-92Earth Summit inRio de Janeiro, which finally led him to leave theFranciscan religious order and the priestly ministry. Boff joined the international group of Catholic Scholars who in 2012 issued theJubilee Declaration on reform of authority in the Catholic Church.[7]
For most of his life Boff has worked as a professor in the academic fields oftheology,ethics, andphilosophy throughout Brazil and also as lecturer in many universities abroad such asUniversity of Lisbon,University of Barcelona,University of Lund,University of Oslo,University of Torino and others. Boff commented on the election ofPope Francis in March 2013: "I am encouraged by this choice, viewing it as a pledge for a church ofsimplicity and ofecological ideals."[8] He said the new pope was conservative in many respects but had liberal views on some subjects as well.[9]
