Church critic

BRAZILIAN Bishop Ivo Lorscheiter (79), a prominent critic of Brazil’s former military regime, died last week.

Lorscheiter was a leading advocate of liberation theology, which promotes social, political and economic awareness among the poor. He was often at odds with the Vatican, which for years has said there is no place in the church for the mixing of politics and religion.Lorscheiter was also a harsh critic of the armed forces who ruled Brazil between 1964-1985, denouncing human rights violations against political opponents.”It was my duty as a Christian to defend human rights,” he once told reporters.Lorscheiter was named the bishop of Santa Maria in 1974.Nampa-APHe was often at odds with the Vatican, which for years has said there is no place in the church for the mixing of politics and religion.Lorscheiter was also a harsh critic of the armed forces who ruled Brazil between 1964-1985, denouncing human rights violations against political opponents.”It was my duty as a Christian to defend human rights,” he once told reporters.Lorscheiter was named the bishop of Santa Maria in 1974.Nampa-AP