Early in the morning of November 16, 1989, six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her daughter were taken from their residence and executed by a Salvadoran military commando unit. This horrendous atrocity alerted United States citizens to the systemic abuses and tragedies occurring during El Salvador’s civil war; however, those connected to the Jesuits were well aware of the injustices. These murders were not isolated nor were they random incidents. Much like the 1980 assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero, these were violent responses to voices within the Church calling for an end to the oppression of the poor.
Only to add to the horror of this massacre was the United State’s involvement in the attack. US military aid funded the action and many of the soldiers involved in the murder of the Jesuits trained in terrorism tactics at the School of the Americas (renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. For 20 years, students, priests, nuns, and other concerned citizens gather at the base on the anniversary of the death of the Jesuits to be in solidarity with the Latin American communities afflicted with violence perpetrated by the school’s graduates.
In addition to their attendance at the protest and prayer vigil members of the international Jesuit community have gathered during the weekend for the Ignatian Family Teach-In. Thousands will still congregate for the protest and prayer vigil at the gates of Fort Benning this year but the Ignatian Family Teach-In has moved to Washington D.C. It is time for the voices of the Ignatian family to be heard in the nation’s capitol building and in the offices of our elected officials. This fall over fifty members of the Creighton community, including students, Jesuits, faculty, and staff will represent the university at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, DC.
All twenty-eight Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States will be represented at this event. The Teach-In allows students to educate themselves on the various efforts of our nation’s Ignatian communities made to fulfill the Society of Jesus’ commitment to faith, service and justice for the world.
New this year are the varying topics that will be discussed throughout the three-day Teach-In. In addition to commemorating the 6 Jesuit martyrs and the many deaths due to the School of the Americas, the Teach-In will tackle other issues such as Environmental and Immigration injustices.
Throughout the Appalachian area, Mountaintop Removal Mining is devastating the landscape and the lives of those who live in the valleys. In order for coal to be mined in the most efficient way, these mountains are being leveled by explosives. Not only is the landscape being destroyed, but thousands of people are developing life-threatening diseases due to harmful chemicals introduced into their water supply via the process of extracting coal. Mountaintop Removal is just one among the many Environmental Justice issues that will be discussed.
What is the Ignatian Family Teach-In? The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice is a gathering of the U.S. Jesuit colleges, universities, and high schools, the Jesuit schools of theology, Jesuits from various provinces, members of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and The Companions (former Jesuits and their families). For the two days prior to the vigil, the Teach-In features speakers from various social justice campaigns and the Ignatian family, including students from the University of Central America in San Salvador. The conclusion of the teach-in is a celebration of Mass on Saturday evening followed by a funeral procession at the gates of Ft. Benning.
What is new this year? This year the teach-in has moved to Washington, DC. With a new arena for our enthusiasm Ignatian Solidarity Network has extended its focus of the teach-in to immigration reform and environmental injustices. We will bring these new focuses and the tradition focus on closing WHINSEC (School of the Americas) to our representatives during the advocacy day and public witness.
What is the SOA/WHINSEC? The School of the Americas/Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation is a military training school located at Ft. Benning, GA. Its purpose is to train international military leaders in counter-insurgency tactics and counter-terrorism operations. For more information, visit the website for the school.
Why and how is Creighton involved? Creighton students, staff and faculty have been attending since 1997. In 1999, Fr. Bert Thelen, SJ and Dr. Jeanne Schuler accompanied students. In 2002, twenty-six Creighton students made the journey to the Ignatian Family Teach-In. In 2004, fifty-seven members of the Creighton community participated, including Dr. Jean Schuler, Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Laura Weber, Director of Campus Ministry, Fr. Bert Thelen, SJ, Pastor of St. John’s Parish, and Maria Teresa Gaston, Director of the Creighton Center for Service and Justice.
Please read the 2002 remarks of Fr. Charles Currie, S.J. of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities for background on the Ignatian family commitment
If you are interested in attending this year’s IFTJ trip which will take place from Friday November 11th until Tuesday November 15th, learn more a the information meeting on Tuesday September 27th from 9-10 pm in the CCSJ or Thursday, September 29th, from 11 am-12 pm in the CCSJ. The application will be available soon.
For Further Reflection:
Reflection by Byron Plumley of Regis University
A poem by a Regis student entitled “A Walk in Peace”
Ignatian Solidarity Network’s IFTJ website
Ignacio Ellacuria, S.J.’s 1982 Commencement Address at Santa Clara University
2002 remarks of Fr. Charles Currie, S.J. of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities for background on the Ignatian family commitment
Read about and listen to a Panel Discussion on WHINSEC at John Carroll University, October 20, 2005
