Summary
Bishop Alejandro Labaka, a missionary bishop in the Amazon region, is undergoing beatification proceedings by Pope Leo XIV. These proceedings began on May 22, 2025, when Leo XIV authorized the recognition of Labaka’s life as an “offering of life” and his venerability within Catholic teachings. The focus of these proceedings includes reviewing Labaka’s autobiography and other writings that describe situations involving systematic nudity and sexualized coexistence with young people, alongside a conception of inculturation based on liberation theology. In his works, Labaka elevated the practice to an almost theological level, describing it as “blessed nudism.” The controversy centers around whether this approach to adapting local customs was doctrinally appropriate or if it idealized indigenous moral norms at the expense of traditional Christian teachings. Key events include the official opening of Labaka’s beatification process and his elevation to a status between being a Servant of God and Blessed, pending further approval for saintliness.
Key Topics
Bishop Labaka, Leo XIV, Huaorani
