The Catholic Church and Society of Jesus played a influential role in the origination and continuation of the transatlantic slave trade, according to Rev. Christopher J. Kellerman, S.J. Kellerman discussed the history of the Catholic Church and the Society of Jesus’ involvement in the transatlantic slave trade at an event co-sponsored by the Boston College history department, the Institute for the Liberal Arts, and BC’s interdisciplinary minor in Catholic studies on Feb. 21.