ONE YEAR LATER: Remembering Dean Brackley, S.J.

BY CHRIS KERR | October 16, 2012

Dean Brackley, S.J., passed away on October 16, 2011, after a brave struggle against cancer. Brackley was sixty-five years old and had been living, teaching, and ministering in El Salvador for the majority of the past eleven years.

After the 1989 murder of six Jesuit priests at the UCA in El Salvador, Brackley volunteered to leave the U.S. for the war-torn country and begin ministering as a professor, academic administrator, and pastoral minister to poor communities in El Salvador. He became known as a passionate theologian, writer, and advocate for the poor of Central America and throughout the world. He spoke at many Jesuit universities across the U.S. about solidarity and social justice and at various times taught at a number of them as well. In 2003, Brackley spoke at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, in Columbus, Georgia. In 2004, he released well known book “The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times”.

Brackley entered the Society of Jesus in 1964, became a priest in 1976, and earned a doctorate in Religious Social Ethics from the University of Chicago’s Divinity School in 1980.

A brief video reflection remembering Fr. Brackley:

Articles, Audio, and Video Excerpts from Dean Brackley, S.J.:

Higher Standards for Higher Education: The Christian University and Solidarity
Speech at Creighton University – November 4, 1999

Enemies of War: Yanquis Return to El Salvador
PBS – 2001

The Jesuit University in a Broken Wolrd
Loyola Marymount University – January 25, 2005

“Justice in Higher Education” Keynote Address
John Carroll University – October 16, 2005

Audio Interview with Dean Brackley
Commonweal Magazine – February 21, 2008

Brackley Receives Pedro Arrupe Award at University of Scranton
University of Scranton – May 3, 2010

Migrants: Illegals or God’s Ambassdors
National Catholic Reporter – March 14, 2010

Obama’s visit to the land of Romero leaves behind questions
National Catholic Reporter – March 24, 2011

Jesuit who replaced slain Salvadoran priests dies
National Catholic Reporter – October 17, 2011

Meeting the Victim, Loving the Poor (introduction by James Martin, S.J.)
America Magazine – October 19, 2011

Video Reflection created by former students and friends of Fr. Brackley
YouTube – October 20, 2011

Rev. Dean Brackley, 65, Dies; Served in El Salvador
New York Times – October 29, 2011

Books written by Dean Brackley, S.J.:
The Call to Discernment in Troubled Times: New Perspectives on the Transformative Wisdom of Ignatius of Loyola Divine Revolution: Salvation and Liberation in Catholic Thought

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.