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National Catholic Network Gathers for 20th Annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice

For Two Decades, Gathering Has Explored Current Realities to Form Leaders for Justice

BY ISN STAFF | October 23, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C.—From November 4-6, 2017, nearly 2,000 individuals will gather for the 20th annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C. The yearly gathering addresses timely social justice issues in the context of Catholic faith tradition—this year with a primary focus on racism and immigration.   

Known as the largest annual Catholic social justice gathering in the U.S., the Teach-In attracts many young people ages 16-22, representing over 120 Jesuit and other Catholic universities, high schools, and parishes in the U.S., as well as Canada, Mexico, and El Salvador.

Rev. Brian Massingale

The 2017 theme, Rowing Into the Deep: Magis Meets Justice, calls attendees to explore a more deeply authentic, courageous, generous, and compassionate response to the changing realities of our world.

Initiated in 1997 in Columbus, Georgia, the Teach-In commences yearly in mid-November to commemorate the Jesuit martyrs of El Salvador. The six Jesuit priests and their two companions were murdered on November 16, 1989 for speaking out against the country’s tumultuous civil war. The Teach-In relocated from Georgia to Washington, D.C. in 2010 in response to the growing interest in legislative advocacy and accompanying educational opportunities.

Sr. Patricia Chappell

On the morning of Monday, November 6, attendees will gather at Columbus Circle for a public witness, gathering with signs, banners, and voices to pray, listen to active advocates, and recommit to work for justice. The Teach-In then culminates with what is estimated to be the largest Catholic advocacy day of the year. Nearly 1,400 individuals will proceed to legislative advocacy meetings with members of Congress and their staffs on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to enact immigration and criminal justice reform.

Keynote speakers include Rev. Bryan Massingale, racial justice scholar and theology faculty at Fordham University; Sr. Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, executive director of Pax Christi USA; and Maria Stephan, senior policy advisor for the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Maria Stephan

The Teach-In also offers more than 50 breakout sessions, presented by national and international speakers, including Fr. James Martin, S.J., bestselling author and editor-at-large at America Magazine; and Sr. Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Joanna Williams, director of education and advocacy for Kino Border Initiative, and Maureen O’Connell, Ph.D., racial justice scholar, theology faculty at La Salle University, along with prominent student activists for immigration reform and racial justice.

The celebrant for the Teach-In liturgy on Sunday, November 5 is Rev. Mark Ravizza, S.J., a delegate from the California Province of the Society of Jesus’ General Congregation 36 and director of Jesuit Mission and Ministry at Casa Bayanihan at Ateneo de Manila in the Philippines.

“For twenty years, the Teach-In has invited the Jesuit network and broader Catholic Church to reflect on the realities of injustice facing our country and global community,” says Christopher Kerr, executive director of the Ignatian Solidarity Network. “This year’s Teach-In theme invites us to ‘row deeper’ into the realities of racial injustice, inhumane migration policies, and other challenges of our times.”

Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Livestream details and updates.

Media registration.

3 replies
  1. Dr.Cajetan Coelho
    Dr.Cajetan Coelho says:

    Justice offers meaning to our struggles. Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice is a fine initiative.

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] This year’s focus will be on racism and immigration with over “120 Jesuit and other Catholic universities, high schools and parishes in the U.S., as well as Canada, Mexico and El Salvador represented,” according to the Ignatians Solidarity Network. […]

  2. […] day of advocacy is the culmination of the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, hosted by the Ignatian Solidarity Network, held on Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5 in […]

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