In 1970, because he was considered a troublemaker when helping the peasants in El Salvador obtain a better life, Father Jose Alas was kidnapped by the National Guard and left for dead. Alas explains if he were to return to El Salvador, he would be killed because he is considered a traitor. Caitriona Ruane talks for a couple of minutes about her work helping the poor in the Latin American countries.
The interview continues with Father John McKenzie and Dr. Howard Schomer talking about fear and dissent. Schomer says Christians have the duty to dissent when they believe their beliefs are being contradicted by policy. He also talks about not understanding a dampening down of the human mind when it comes to human issues. Father McKenzie adds that society is made up of the best educated ignoramuses that ever existed.
Whether in the United States or Vietnam, Dr. Schomer asks what are our personal responsibilities for the atrocities? Father John McKenzie talks about a lowering of people's moral tone. People have put their morality in their pockets, so as to get cleared of something and not get involved, added Father McKenzie.
Father James Kavanaugh discusses his book “A Modern Priest Looks at His Outdated Church," confession, how he’s treated as a priest, Vatican II, celibacy, Includes excerpts of interviews with Diane Romano, a Catholic woman who discusses her marriage, her family, birth control
Father George Zabelka said he was both hopeful and discouraged about people taking a stand on nuclear weapons. Zabelka said the Army brain-washed them into believing it was better to bomb cities and kill people in order to achieve peace. A way to stop all wars, Zabelka believed all the religions in the world should declare that war and killing were sins.
Who's guilty for the death of 10,000 peasant farmers in El Salvador, the group of Father Don Hedley, Sister Kay Kelly, Rene Golden and Secundine Ramirez want to know. The fight and struggle for basic human rights has been going on in El Salvador for many, many years. The most recent tragic deaths of the four Catholic missionaries were because they sided with the poor.
Fr. Daniel Berrigan speaks about his early life, and relationship with his family, on his becoming a priest, and on being an anti-Vietnam War activist.
His belief of experiencing something for himself led Father Bernard Serval to live in the 3rd world country of Nicaragua. People there are so poor, they live on the side of the roads, explained Serval. People work long hours and only earn $2.00 a day. Contracting malaria is an issue because people can't afford the $5.00 it costs to buy a net for protection. Serval wants people to be aware all the poverty in Nicaragua but he knows it will never become of importance because the US will never benefit monetarily from that country.
South African Catholic priest Father Basil van Rensburg and Peter Walshe discuss their fights against apartheid. Rensburg pursued his fight through a hunger strike, and Walshe discusses the government's stance on apartheid and religion.
Studs presents excerpts from the Division Street recordings, regarding race, religion and humanity.
Scottish folk singer and song collector Ewan McColl discusses the folk song revival occurring in the United Kingdom and his repertoire of folk songs
Scottish folk singer and song collector Ewan McColl discusses the folk song revival occurring in the United Kingdom and his repertoire of folk songs.