Justice on the Mainstage

Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J. , a sister with the Missionaries of Jesus, is the executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. She oversees the charitable arm of the Diocese of Brownsville. She gave a keynote address at the 2016 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice.

Maureen H. O’Connell, Ph. D. , is a professor of Chrisitan Ethics at LaSalle University. Since 2022, she has also served as the Director of Synod and Higher Education at Discerning Deacons. She gave a keynote address at the 2015 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, which had the theme “Bridges.”

Rudy López is the Executive Director of Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ), a national nonprofit organization that advances the rights of working people by unifying diverse faith communities into action through shared principles, such as justice, dignity and respect. He gave a keynote address at the 2015 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, which had the theme “Bridges.”

Sr. Helen Prejean, C.S.J. , one of the world's leading advocates against capital punishment, gave the keynote address at the 2015 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, which had the theme “Bridges.”

Rev. Ismael Moreno Coto, S.J. , popularly known as Padre Melo, is a Jesuit priest and human rights activist in his native Honduras. He directs Radio Progreso (radio station) and E.R.I.C— The Team for Reflection, Research and Communication. He gave a keynote address at the 2014 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, which had the theme “Uprooting Injustice. Sowing Truth. Witnessing Transformation.”

Marie Dennis was co-president of Pax Christi from 2007 to 2019. She gave a keynote address at the 2014 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, which had the theme “Uprooting Injustice. Sowing Truth. Witnessing Transformation.”

Michael E. Lee, PhD is a theology professor at Fordham University with affiliation in Fordham’s Latin American and Latino Studies Institute. He gave a keynote address at the 2014 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice, which had the theme “Uprooting Injustice. Sowing Truth. Witnessing Transformation.”

Rev. James Martin, S.J. , is a Jesuit priest, author, editor-at-large at America Media, and founder of Outreach. He gave a keynote address at the 2013 IFTJ with the theme “Illuminating the Horizon of Hope” and addressed subsequent IFTJs as a keynote or breakout speaker.

Sarita Gupta is a nationally recognized expert on the economic, labor, and political issues affecting workers and is widely acknowledged as a key leader and strategist for building coalitions and policies that protect and advance the rights of workers. She gave a keynote address at the 2013 IFTJ with the theme “Illuminating the Horizon of Hope.” At the time, she was the Executive Director of Jobs...

Sr. Peggy O'Neill, S.C. , is the Director of Centro Arte Para La Paz in El Salvador and spoke at the 2013 Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, D.C., which had the theme “Illuminating the Horizon of Hope.”

Fr. Fred Kammer, S.J.,  celebrated 60 years in the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 2023. He is known for his work in social ministries, publications on Catholic social teaching and as the former provincial of the former New Orleans Province (from 2002 to 2008). He is currently in residence at Immaculate Conception Parish in Baton Rouge, where he works in social and pastoral ministries.

Simone Campbell, an attorney and Sister of Social Service, is the Executive Director of NETWORK, a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace that educates, organizes and lobbies for economic and social transformation. She formerly served as Executive Director of JERICHO, an interfaith public policy and advocacy organization in California. As an attorney, she represented low-inco...

Gabriel Bol Deng now speaks about his life story and the mission of HOPE for Ariang in schools and organizations throughout the United States and around the world. His dream of building a school in his native village of Ariang is now being realized. The construction of the school was completed in May 2011.