Chaplain Reveals Unrest at Columbia University Caused by Communists

Father Roger Landry, a Catholic chaplain serving at Columbia University, has voiced concerns over the involvement of external groups in the ongoing campus protests, labeling some of these forces as "explicitly communist." In a televised interview on EWTN's "The World Over with Raymond Arroyo," Landry discussed the complex dynamics at play within the protests that have caught national attention.

Photo credit: Chenyu Guan

Highlights

By Catholic Online (California Network)
5/3/2024 (8 months ago)

Published in College & University

Keywords: Columbia University, Protests, Antisemitism, Marxist Influence, Father Roger Landry, Campus Unrest

The protests began on April 17 when students erected tents on the university's main quad, initially to express opposition against what they described as Israel's "genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza. This demonstration quickly escalated as videos surfaced online showing participants engaging in antisemitic chants and threats toward Jewish students, which has stirred considerable controversy and fear on campus.

According to Landry, while many protesters are driven by a genuine concern for civilians in Gaza, a significant number are influenced by external Marxist groups. These groups, he noted, have been actively distributing materials and espousing a narrative that frames the conflict in terms of Marxist ideology, which views the struggle as one between oppressors and the oppressed. This perspective, he explained, sometimes justifies extreme actions, such as the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023.

Landry highlighted that nearly half of the approximately 300 protesters arrested during a police raid were not students, but rather activists affiliated with these external groups. This detail underscores his concern about the influence of non-student elements in shaping the protest's character and objectives.

During the interview, Landry emphasized the teachings of Jesus Christ as antithetical to the class warfare espoused by Marxist and Leninist ideologies. He has been active in encouraging Catholic students at Columbia to act as peacemakers and engage in dialogues that foster understanding and reconciliation among different campus groups. He proudly noted the increased attendance at student Mass and the initiative by a Catholic student group to distribute olive plants to both Jewish and Muslim leaders as a gesture of peace and solidarity.

The ongoing situation at Columbia reflects broader tensions and conflicts playing out in other universities across the country, highlighting the complexities of global political issues on academic campuses. Father Landry's role and the actions of Catholic students aim to offer a pathway toward peaceful resolution and mutual understanding in these turbulent times.