Puebla Conference Problems In reviewing the section on Official Condemnation in light of Christian Smith s The Emergence of Liberation Theology I thought it was a bit misleading to suggest that the Puebla conference was where the official condemnation and rejection of liberation theology occured specifically in John Paul II s public remarks The Pope s inaugural speech was far more middle of the road than was suggested and Puebla was in no way the definitive condemnation of the movement I edited accordingly