Jesuit Fathers visit for presentations on social justice and ecology

Jesuit Fathers Xavier Jeyaraj and Ted Penton will offer two brief panel presentations on Jesuit efforts in social justice and ecology from a global and national perspective followed by a discussion on the Detroit context.

The first discussion is from 10-11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, both virtually as well as in-person in Room 139 of the Commerce and Finance Building on the McNichols Campus.

The in-person presentation is set for 10-11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9 in Room 226 at University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. A virtual presentation is also available for those who register. Parking is free at the Riverfront Campus.

Jeyaraj is the director of Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) of the Society of Jesus in the General Curia in Rome. He has 30 years of field experience as a social worker, human rights lawyer and activist.

Penton is the secretary for the Jesuit Conference Office of Justice and Ecology. He received his J.D. from Harvard Law School and entered the Society of Jesus in Canada.

Three members of the Detroit Mercy staff will also be on-hand during Monday's presentation to offer Detroit Mercy perspective — Associate Professor of Biology Victor Carmona, Dean Emeritus Stephen Vogel and University Minister for Justice and Service Sr. Erin McDonald, CSJ.

The presentation is open to Detroit Mercy faculty and staff, parishioners, alumni and others who wish to attend. Coffee and other refreshments will be served following the presentation.