News Archives - 2005
October 17, 2005
Father Fernando Cardenal
Nicaraguan Jesuit Priest & Liberation Theologian
10
a.m.—“The Power of Citizen Literacy in Nicaragua”
Translation provided by Kathleen McBride, Augsburg College Center for Global
Education
Father Fernando Cardenal will speak Monday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel as part of the Convocation Series titled "Global Citizens/Local Citizens." He will be speaking on the topic of citizen literacy in Nicaragua. He joined the Jesuit order in 1952, was ordained a Catholic priest in 1967, and has led a life of service in Nicaragua. Cardenal became one of four priests in the Sandinista government during the revolution, leading their National Literacy Campaign. In 1984, the Jesuits expelled Cardenal from their order because of his work within the revolution. Despite his expulsion, he continued to live in his Jesuit community and to live out his vows. In 1997, after reviewing Cardenal’s case, the superior general reinstated him to the Jesuits, based on the fact that Cardenal’s actions were a clear example of conscientious objection. It is the only case in over 460 years of Jesuit history in which a priest expelled from the Jesuit’s was reinstated. Cardenal’s commitment and dedication to the poor continues. Today Cardenal is the director of Fé y Alegría (Faith and Happiness), a Jesuit project that teaches very poor children in Latin America.