Contemplatives In Action

A blog dedicated to the Jesuits and partners of the Detroit Province who work for or are interested in the Social Apostolate in the US Assistancy and the worldwide Society of Jesus. Visit often to be informed, be inspired and to witness the ways in which we realize our goal of the "service of faith and promotion of justice" (GC 32, D. 4). 'Contemplatives in Action' is a phrase based in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus.

Friday, November 9, 2007

California Jesuit takes a stand against torture

A notice from John McGarry, S.J., the CAL Provincial, on an action taken by a Jesuit that corresponds with one of our international priorities, War and Violence:

"On Wednesday, October 17, Fathers Stephen Kelly, S.J., and Louis Vitale, O.F.M., were sentenced to five months in federal prison for their participation in a nonviolent act of civil disobedience at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, for which they were arrested on November 19, 2006. At the time of their arrest, Louie and Steve were trying to deliver a letter denouncing certain methods of “interrogation training” sanctioned by the Military Commissions Act of 2006 to then-commander Major General Barbara Fast. (The link to their letter can be found on the Province website: www.jesuitscalifornia.org.)"

Another update on this situation is in the most recent Catholic Worker, October-November 2007 issue written by Bill Quigley, a human-rights lawyer and Loyola New Orleans professor who represented Frs. Kelly and Vitale in court.