Father Vincent O'Keefe S.J. (1920 – July 22, 2012) was the Vicar General of the
Society of Jesus
, image = Ihs-logo.svg
, image_size = 175px
, caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits
, abbreviation = SJ
, nickname = Jesuits
, formation =
, founders ...
and a President of
Fordham University.
Biography
In 1981 the order's superior general,
Pedro Arrupe
Pedro Arrupe Gondra, SJ (14 November 1907 – 5 February 1991) was a Spanish Basque priest who served as the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983. He has been called a second founder of the Society, as he led the Jesui ...
, suffered a stroke. O'Keefe was appointed Vicar General to guide the Jesuits as they began the process of selecting a new General. The pope, in a highly unusual and historic decision, intervened and appointed instead Jesuit Father
Paolo Dezza as a special pontifical delegate to serve as the Jesuits' interim leader.
In 2004, O'Keefe responded to criticisms from
Malachi Martin and stated that Martin had been released from all his priestly vows save the vow of chastity. It is claimed that attacks were mounted on Martin in retaliation for his book "The Jesuits", which is hostile to the Jesuit order, of which he had formerly been a member. In the book, he accuses the Jesuits of deviating from their original character and mission by embracing
Liberation Theology
Liberation theology is a Christian theological approach emphasizing the liberation of the oppressed. In certain contexts, it engages socio-economic analyses, with "social concern for the poor and political liberation for oppressed peoples". I ...
.
O'Keefe voted for
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry (born December 11, 1943) is an American attorney, politician and diplomat who currently serves as the first United States special presidential envoy for climate. A member of the Forbes family and the Democratic Party, he ...
in the 2004 American elections. A self-described Democrat and fan of
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, O'Keefe chose Kerry even though he disagreed with the senator's position on abortion.
Religious Beliefs Show Voters the Light in Polling Booths
/ref>
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Okeefe, Vincent
1920 births
2012 deaths
20th-century American Jesuits
21st-century American Jesuits
Fordham University faculty
Presidents of Fordham University