A true fisher of men

Scripture tells us to "seek peace, and pursue it." These words were written into the Book of Psalms not with religious or doctrinal intent; the motive for peace and justice is purely humanitarian, and it is the calling of all people in all places at all times.

Many have come and passed since we were charged with this mission, and most have failed to live up to the ideals set forth by our forebears. But every now and then, God bestows a certain grace and sense of duty in one of his children so that he may show the world the way of peace. As Jesus said to Peter and Andrew at the Sea of Galilee, "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." I have no doubt that the Rev. Robert Drinan, S.J., was one of those christened by God to be a fisher of men and show the world the way of peace.

There are few men who spoke with as much passion, faith, and conviction as Drinan. I was lucky enough to hear him on campus last year; sitting dozens of rows up in Devlin 008, I heard the words of a man who was humbled neither by age nor infirmity, but inspired by devotion to the truth. It is this devotion to the truth, and to the calling of all humanity, that marked the life of Drinan.

After spending 15 years as Dean of Boston College Law School, in 1970 Drinan was encouraged by many to lend both virtue and voice to a place largely devoid of both: the United States House of Representatives. When asked why he was running for Congress, he responded, "Why? Why not?"

At the time, the Third Congressional District, which contains BC, was represented by the seemingly unmovable Philip Philbin, a pro-war Democrat who chaired the House Armed Services Committee. Philbin had been in Congress for 30 years, but he proved no match for Drinan. Running on an anti-war platform, Drinan's uncompromised pursuit of peace empowered his multitude of supporters

Numerous volunteers have since spoken about the passion and commitment that Drinan inspired in them.

Once in Congress, Father Drinan was among the leading proponents for an end to U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and he was the first Congressman to introduce legislation that would hold then-president Richard Nixon accountable for incursions across the border into Cambodia. He could always be counted among the most outspoken Democrats in Congress, and he used his position to promote policies not to strengthen the sinews of war but to forge a new order based on the humanitarian necessity of peace.

His views earned him some prominent scorn, as he landed a place on Nixon's "enemies list," was called by William F. Buckley "the greatest threat to orderly thought since Eleanor Roosevelt," and led George H.W. Bush, then leader of the Republican National Committee, to say that there was no congressman he wished to see defeated more than Drinan.

As I said earlier, I believe that Drinan was a special individual who sought and pursued peace and was truly a fisher of men. But in 1980, the Catholic Church did not share my view; in that year, Pope John Paul II banned all priests from participating in electoral politics, a decision many speculated targeted Drinan, who was also an unabashed advocate of a woman's right to choose.

Drinan chose his calling as a Jesuit above that as a representative, and he continued his oft-commended work for peace, justice, and human rights outside of Congress.

His recent passing is a loss for our country and our world, and one can only think of how things might have been different had he continued to serve; the fact is that our Congress doesn't need one fewer Robert Drinan - it needs 535 Robert Drinans.

Perhaps it is a farfetched dream, a hope that may never be realized, but in 1970, it was said that a Roman Catholic priest could neither hope nor dream of defeating one of the most influential members of the House of Representatives. I can only wish that my dreams and hopes realize a similar outcome.

Andrew Kaplun is a Heights staff columnist. He welcomes comments at kaplun@bcheights.com.