ACTION ALERT – NOVEMBER 2003

GOOD SHEPHERD VOICES FOR JUSTICE

Advocate for the close of “SOA/WHISC”

(School of the Americas - Western Hemisphere

Institute for Security Cooperation)

___________________________________________

 

We are asking you to take the following steps to support the end of funding, and cause the resulting close, of the institution previously known as the SOA (School of the Americas), recently changed to WHISC (Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation).

 

As you pursue advocacy for this issue, keep in mind that the Prepare – Act – Reflect (PAR) methodology will be used.

 

 

STEP 1: PREPARATION  - BACKGROUND

 

Since its inception in 1946, the SOA/WHISC has trained over 60,000 Latin American officers, cadets, and civilians.  In 1996, it was revealed that for much of the previous decade, the school  was using manuals that advocated torture, execution, extortion, and kidnaping.  Despite the recent addition of human rights courses and a superficial name change, the SOA/WHISC remains a threat to the security of the people of Latin America.

 

Among many other human rights abuses, graduates of the school have been involved in the murder of El Salvador Archbishop Oscar Romero, the deaths of 900 civilians in the Salvadoran village of El Mozote, the rape and murder of four US church women in El Salvador, the murder of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter, and the bludgeoning death of Bishop Juan Gerardi in Guatemala.  Also, more than half of the Colombian officers cited in a definitive human rights report on Colombia are SOA graduates.

 

In the spring, Amnesty International released a report detailing the human rights abuses committed by SOA/WHISC graduates.  In light of their findings, I call upon you to support closing the SOA/WHISC and creating an independent truth commission to investigate WHISC and its predecessor, the School of the Americas.  At a time when the U.S. people understand the consequences of terrorism on innocent lives, let us stop using taxpayer money that ultimately supports terrorism in Latin America. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you on this.

 

 

 

STEP 2: CATHOLIC AND GOOD SHEPHERD CONNECTION

 

Catholic Connection

As we are learning from Destination Justice, social justice is an obligation for every Catholic. We are called to justice via hundreds of biblical references, e.g. “whatsoever you did to the least, you did to me”. Of recent times, numerous Vatican II documents, papal decrees, and bishop’s letters have addressed the plight of the condition of humanity in the world today, and the stance we are to take as Catholics. For example, Article 4 of Gaudium et Spes states;  “In every age, the church carries the responsibility of reading the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the Gospel.” Article 30 goes on to state; “All must consider it their sacred duty to count social obligations among their chief duties today and observe them” Standing with our brothers and sisters in Christ in Central and South America who are being victimized as a result of military training supplied by our own country is surely a response consistent with Catholic social teaching.

Parish Connection

There are 15 members of Good Shepherd who actively support this issue. Some of them will travel to Ft. Benning on November 22nd and 23rd of this month to vigil for those killed, to stand in solidarity with those still terrorized in Central and South America, and to answer what may prove to be a costly call to discipleship. Any who “cross the line” onto the base risk arrest. Several who have crossed before face jail time and a significant fine. (If you are interested in going, contact the Parish Office.)

 

On a local level, Joyce Ellwanger, a Milwaukee native, peace and justice activist, and wife of a Lutheran Minister, was just released after serving 6 months in federal prison. Her “crime” was that she went onto the base last November to bring petitions of peace to the base commander.

 

 

STEP 3: ACTION

 

  1. Go to the Network website at: . www.networklobby.org
  2. Type in your zipcode in 'Write to Congress' box.
  3. Select “Go” to the right of your zipcode
  4. Select "Close the SOA - CoSponsor HR 1258."  (Toward the bottom of the list)
  5. Follow the instructions

 

 

STEP 4: REFLECTION

 

Reflection Question:

“Do you think there is connection between our sister parish relationship with Ellacuria in El Salvador and closing WHISC? If yes, can you see a theological connection? Can you see a political connection?

 

1. Finding a place where you feel free to write, and in a manner where you do not have to edit your reflections – pour out your feelings. This is not a grocery list of what you did, rather an expression of what took place within you. Who was involved? What happened? What were your concerns, reactions and insights? What were the areas of fear, frustration, etc.? Avoid editing or judging your feelings; simply allow them to come forward.

 

2. Focus on culture. How did your experience connect with what is going on in society? Can you find connections between what you experienced and what you hear about in the newspapers, on television, etc.? Did you experience cultural values that are different from your own? (Important: Allow these thoughts to arise spontaneously, don’t force them or research them.)

 

3. Catholic social teachings/ scripture passages. In looking at your experience, are there any catholic social teachings or scripture passages that help you understand yourself and the experience in a deeper way? (Again allow this to arise spontaneously, avoid forcing it.)

 

4. Call to conversion. Finally, reflect and write about how this experience is calling you to conversion. How is God calling you to new feelings, new thoughts, new behaviors, new actions, new directions, and new forms of leadership? (Again don’t force this, just listen to what God may be saying.)

 

 

For more information, visit the SOA Watch website at http://www.soaw.org/