27 Years: A Conversation with CASA about the Jesuit Martyrs and their Companions

BY CHRIS KERR | November 16, 2016

November 16, 2016, marked twenty-seven years since Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., Ignacio Martín-Baró, S.J., Segundo Montes, S.J., Juan Ramón Moreno, S.J., Joaquín López y López, S.J., Amando López, S.J. and their housekeeper Elba Ramos, and her 15 year-old daughter Celina Ramos, were murdered at the University of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador.

ISN had the opportunity to speak with Kevin and Trena Yonkers-Talz, co-founders and directors of the Casa de la Solidaridad, a program of Santa Clara University based at the University of Central America in San Salvador, El Salvador. Joining Kevin and Trena was their colleague Lidia Ramirez, who was a friend of Elba Ramos prior to the 1989 murders. The conversation was originally broadcast on Facebook Live on November 16, 2016.

Christopher Kerr

Chris joined the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN) as executive director in 2011. He has over fifteen years of experience in social justice advocacy and leadership in Catholic education and ministry. Prior to ISN he served in multiple roles at John Carroll University, including coordinating international immersion experience and social justice education programming as an inaugural co-director of John Carroll’s Arrupe Scholars Program for Social Action. Prior to his time at John Carroll he served as a teacher and administrator at the elementary and secondary levels in Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Chris speaks regularly at campuses and parishes about social justice education and advocacy, Jesuit mission, and a broad range of social justice issues. He currently serves on the board of directors for Christians for Peace in El Salvador (CRISPAZ). Chris earned a B.A. and M.A. from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. He and his family reside in Shaker Heights, Ohio.