Students and alumni call on Jesuit university to live what it preaches

CTA 20/30 members are among the alumni and students who are organizing to hold Loyola University Chicago accountable to its own principles, saying they are concerned about changes they believe indicate a move away from social justice in the Institute of Pastoral Studies. They are asking for a voice in decisions made by the University they love.

The students are advocating for more transparency after recent changes to the Masters in Social Justice and Community Development program caught them off guard. "We feel betrayed that the administration would make such a decision without factoring in student and staff opinions, and would come on the the defensive when students respond with legitimate questions and concerns," they say. "We came to Chicago to attend Loyola for the Masters of Social Justice and Community Development degree program. We came to learn organizing. And now we’re organizing so we can keep learning about organizing."

"We are gathering to be recognized as a community, not just individuals that the administration can handle in an isolated manner. We want public answers for why these decisions were made. We want to show the consequences of these decisions and how much the business of higher education can negatively affect the lives of students, alumni, partner organizations, and neighborhoods in Chicago," said Rachel Lyons, a current MASJCD student.

Whether its in a parish, a diocese or a university, CTA members are working to create communities that value the voices of all members and transform our Church into one that doesn't rely on hierarchies or secrecy.  To find out more about the story unfolding in Chicago, check out the group's webpage.  If you're a young adult who believes in transforming our communities and our Church, make sure to check out CTA's young adult group, CTA 20/30.