WASHINGTON, D.C. — Russell Testa, Holy Name Province’s director of JPIC, was elected recently as one of two representatives of national organizations to the inaugural board of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT). NRCAT is dedicated to removing the use of torture against any person, especially by anyone associated with the U.S. government, Russ said.
The work of NRCAT is based in a grassroots interfaith effort currently comprising more than 100 national and regional religious institutions. Holy Name Province joined NRCAT in January.
According to Russ, one effort of potential interest to the ministries of the Province is the “Spotlight on Torture Campaign.” This campaign is providing video and discussion resources for group viewing of the HBO film Ghosts of Abu Ghraib. Communities are encouraged to view the film during the week of June 10 or Oct. 21.
Russ, whose office is at the Washington Theological Union, has served as director of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) since being hired by Holy Name Province in August 2000. He and his wife Megeen live in Wheaton, Md. He was elected to the new post on April 25.
More information about the Spotlight on Torture Campaign and on NRCAT is available through NRCAT’s Web site.