Remembering Father Drinan

Jan 31, 2007

Dear friend,

It is with a heavy heart that we tell you about the passing of Father Robert F. Drinan, chairman of PeacePAC, an affiliate of Council for a Livable World. Father Drinan was a tireless advocate of human rights and social justice throughout the world.

After a successful career as Dean of the Boston College Law School, Father Drinan was selected in 1970 by a citizens’ anti-Vietnam War caucus to oust an incumbent hawk in Massachusetts. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives five times before leaving in 1980 in deference to Pope John Paul II’s directive that clergy should not hold public office.

While in Congress, Father Drinan helped to end the Vietnam War. He filed the first impeachment resolution against President Nixon based on the illegal bombing of Cambodia, fought U.S. funding for the death squads in El Salvador, ended the House Un-American Activities Committee, and advocated for human rights all over the globe. He was later adamantly opposed to the Iraq War.

After leaving Congress, Father Drinan established the Council’s PeacePAC, which raises money to help elect progressive candidates to the House of Representatives. Fourty-four current Members of the House of Representatives have received PeacePAC support in their elections.

We were all lucky at the Council to have known and worked with Father Drinan, and are honored to be designated as one of two recipient organizations for Memorial contributions in memory of his work. You can make a contribution to the fund here.

Father Drinan taught international human rights, legal ethics, and constitutional law at Georgetown University Law Center, where he also founded the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics. His experiences led him to write, "Can God and Caesar Coexist? Balancing Religious Freedom and International Law", among eleven other books. He taught more than 6,000 students during his long career.

Last year, Father Drinan was one of four former members of the House to be honored with the Congressional Distinguished Service Award. In 2004, the American Bar Association called him "the stuff of which legends are made" in awarding him the ABA Medal. He was the recipient of more than 20 honorary degrees.

Father Drinan established our PeacePAC affiliate as one of two organizations to receive contributions in his memory. Should you be interested, you can make a contribution to the fund here.

A model of courage, integrity, and conscience, Father Drinan will be missed.

Sincerely,

John Isaacs and Guy Stevens

P.S. Click here for more information on the life and work of Father Drinan.