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FaithJesuitical

How Dorothy Day’s granddaughter feels about facing prison time for peace activism

JesuiticalJanuary 10, 2020
Seven Catholics, calling themselves the Kings Bay Plowshares, are seen April 4, 2018, before they entered the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia to protest nuclear weapons. The group includes, from left, Clare Grady, Patrick O'Neill, Elizabeth McAlister, Jesuit Father Steve Kelly, Martha Hennessy, Mark Colville and Carmen Trotta. (CNS photo/Kings Bay Plowshares) 

In April of last year, seven Catholic activists broke into the naval submarine base in Kings Bay, Ga., home to several nuclear-armed submarines. Inside, they carried out nonviolent actions to protest the U.S. nuclear weapon’s program: They spilled their blood on the property, beat weapons with hammers and put crime-scene tape around the base. All seven were arrested, convicted and await sentencing. One of those Catholics was Martha Hennessy.

Martha is the granddaughter of another Catholic peace activist: Dorothy Day. We ask her how she prepared spiritually for the protest, how her grandmother has shaped her faith and what she thinks about the state of Catholic activism.

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Links from the show:

Pope Francis prays for dialogue as tensions mount between the U.S. and Iran
The U.S. killing of Soleimani could have devastating consequences for Iraq’s Christians
Louisiana parish uses plane to bless town with 100 gallons of holy water
Pope shows up unannounced at funeral Mass of Italian lay woman and friend
Pope Francis SlapGate

What’s on tap?

Father Andy’s Manhattan: Four(!) parts bourbon, one part sweet vermouth, a splash of bitters and a maraschino cherry

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