SearchThe History
The Ignatian Family Teach-In was created in response to the Jesuits and laywomen who were martyred in 1989 at the University of Central America in San Salvador.
What is the Ignatian Family Teach-In? The Ignatian Family Teach-In 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 the SOA/WHISC? 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.
What is the School of the Americas Watch? The School of the Americas Watch (SOAW) is an organization founded by Fr. Roy Bourgeois, a Maryknoll priest, to try and close the SOA/WHISC. It began in response to the killing of the six Jesuits, their housekeeper, and her daughter in El Salvador in 1989. What started as a few people maintaining a vigil at the gates on the anniversary of the murders has become a vigil of over 13,000 every November. Their website is www.soaw.org and gives a complete history of the organization.
Why hold a vigil/protest at SOA/WHISC? Graduates of the SOA/WHISC are responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses in recent Latin American history. Among the graduates since the school opened at Ft. Benning in 1984 are Manuel Noriega, those responsible for the murder of the Jesuits and their co-workers, the battalion which massacred over 700 inhabitants of El Mozote, and those responsible for the death of Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero.
Why and how is Creighton involved? Creighton students, staff and faculty have been attending the vigil and protest in Ft. Benning 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 protest and 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 SOA/IFTI trip which will take place from Thursday November 15th until Monday November 19th learn more a the information meeting on Tuesday September 30th from 9-10 pm in the CCSJ or Thursday, October 2nd, from 11 am-12 pm in the CCSJ. You can find an application online soon!
For Further Reflection:
Reflection by Byron Plumley of Regis University
A poem by a Regis student entitled "A Walk in Peace"
Ignation Solidarity Network's IFTI 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 WHISC at John Carroll University, October 20, 2005