We were saddened to hear of the passing of Father Daniel Berrigan on April 30. He would have celebrated his 95th birthday today, May 9. For many years he supported our work for human rights in Colombia. He was a member of our Advisory Council, and we were proud to have his advice for our work.
Daniel Berrigan provided a model for all of us. A Jesuit priest, he acted upon his convictions and his conscience in actively opposing the Vietnam War, and was arrested for his protests of U.S. military actions in Vietnam. With his brother Philip Berrigan he began the Plowshares Movement, which opposed U.S. militarism and demonstrated against nuclear missile facilities. And of special interest to us, he took an active interest in U.S. militarism in Latin America, opposing the U.S. government’s export of its national security policies to Colombia and other countries. A poet and professor, his strong voice against militarism and for social justice continues to resound through his numerous writings. We will miss him, but are grateful for the guidance he has given through a lifetime of activism in support of peace and against war. We send our condolences to his family and his niece Frida Berrigan, who accompanied him in protesting against torture and militarism.
Colombia Support Network
Madison, Wisconsin
May 9, 2016