It’s been one month since members of the Mercy Community took part in a march and teach-in to protest the School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia. There, they also commemorated the 30th anniversary of the killings of the six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter by SOA graduates.
In the time since, they’ve been reflecting on the SOA Watch experience and what it meant to them, and several have shared their thoughts with us.
At the SOA Watch: Guided by the Breath of the Spirit
By Mike Poulin
“Initiating change can be challenging. Reconciling the wisdom and experience of committed elders with the new vision and enthusiasm of emerging voices is a delicate art. Doing so successfully requires listening ears, understanding hearts and only the loosest grip on pride.” (Read more!)
Witnessing at the School of the Americas Watch
By Sister Rita Specht
“Though I was aware of the way U.S. policies have contributed to the abuses of repressive governments in many Latin American countries, I felt overwhelmed and saddened by what I learned that weekend about the extent of the devastation caused by these policies.” (Read more!)
Reflecting on the 30th Anniversary Gathering of the Massacre in El Salvador
By Laurel McGrath, Mercy Associate
“I joined the gathering that marked the 30th anniversary of the massacre at the Central American University in El Salvador—the killing of six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter—at the invitation of Sisters JoAnn Persch and Pat Murphy. I knew that there were many martyrs in Central and South America but didn’t know enough about the cause and effects and accepted their gracious invitation to learn more at the School of the Americas Watch in Fort Benning, Georgia.” (Read more!)