From #Cuba, where he is admired and loved for his contribution to the understanding of Church-State relations in his book “Fidel and Religion,” and for his unwavering defense of the Socialist Revolution and his work for social justice, we congratulate brother Frei Betto on his 80th birthday, the president wrote.

Carlos Alberto Libanio Christo, known as Frei Betto (Belo Horizonte, 1944), is one of the greatest exponents of liberation theology. He is the author of some 60 books in various literary genres, and has supported liberation movements in Latin America.

Frei Betto is also an advisor to social movements, to the Ecclesiastical Base Communities and the Landless Rural Workers Movement, and actively participates in the political life of Brazil.

He has received, among other awards, the Juca Pato Prize for his book “Fidel and Religion;” the Medal of Solidarity, granted by the Cuban Government; the Paulo Freire Trophy for Social Commitment (2000), from the Psychology Councils of Brazil, and the ALBA Prize for Literature in recognition of his entire literary work.

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