Hundreds from Jesuit-run colleges discuss racism, poverty at teach-in

Published: 2007-03-14

NEW ORLEANS (CNS) -- More than 500 students from Jesuit colleges and universities gathered in New Orleans March 9-11 to discuss racism and poverty and engage in spring-break service work. They were among the approximately 2,000 Jesuit-affiliated students who were to descend on New Orleans in a 10-day period to aid in the city's ongoing recovery efforts. The teach-in, "Rebuilding Our Communities: Facing Racism and Poverty," featured discussions on institutional racism, economic development and poverty, environmental racism, fair housing and employment. Sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network in San Francisco and the New Orleans province of the Society of Jesus, the event also featured spiritual reflection and a March 11 Mass presided over by a personal representative of Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Jesuit superior general. "Every victim has the power to walk ahead. The power is there," said Jesuit Father Fernando Franco in his homily. Father Franco is the director of the social justice secretariat at Jesuit headquarters in Rome.

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