Controversial Priest Faces Excommunication: Closely Associated With Ft. Benning Annual Protest

Dozens of St. Joe's students travel to protest injustice in Latin America

By Rachel Robins '09

Some excerpts.

Every year, a group of 40 St. Joe's students, faculty, and staff embarks on a 16-hour journey to Columbus, Ga. to follow the advice of Pope Paul VI and speak out against the injustices taking place in Latin America.

Part of Father Roy Bourgeois's 19-year campaign to close the School of the Americas (SOA)-called Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) since January 2001-the SOA vigil/protest pays tribute to the innocent people of Latin America who continue to be victimized inhumanely at the hands of soldiers trained on U.S. soil.

The Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) initiated the Ignatian Family Teach-In in 1995 to join Fr. Roy Bourgeois, founder of the School of the Americas Watch (SOAW), and his fight for justice in Latin America.

Various Jesuit communities, universities, and high schools unite to discuss social injustices throughout the world and commemorate the anniversary of the brutal murder of the Jesuits in El Salvador.

Voices of young activists at St. Joseph University and all over the country coupled with the faithful work of Bourgeois and grassroots organizations like SOAW have given Latin America hope for a brighter future. They have made tremendous efforts in the universal fight for justice, shedding light on the school's violent truths. The McGovern/Lewis Amendment, which calls to abolish HR 1707 and cut government funding for the Institute, failed by only six votes in 2007, and with a new federal administration, many believe that there is a good possibility of the school's eventual closing.

Students had the opportunity to speak with Bourgeois and thank him for his unyielding work and dedication to his mission.

Despite repeated failures and continued injustices, he too remains hopeful of eventual peace and justice in affected countries. "Next year, you all will have to come back for the fiesta we have when this place closes," Bourgeois said. "Make sure to wear your dancing shoes."

Link (here)

More on Fr. Roy Bourgeois

Catholic Priest Faces Excommunication : N.Y. Times

US Priest has 30 Days to Recant Support for Women’s Ordination or face Excommunication: Vatican : Lifesite.org

Fr. Roy Bourgeois Publicly Rejects the Magisterium; Excommunication Looms : Catholic.org

Defrocking an Anti-American Leftist : FrontPage Magazine

Roy Bourgeois, Conscience and Canon Law : America Magazine