Catholic clergy and local activists are questioning Madison Bishop Robert Morlino's decision to accept a position on the advisory board at a controversial military school.
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation recently replaced the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Ga. In the past, the School of the Americas came under criticism for military training, including teaching torture to Latin American soldiers.
Morlino has been the head of the Madison Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church since 2003. He will be one of 13 members on the WHISC Board of Visitors responsible for review and recommendations. Other members include military generals and representatives from the state department.
According to Amnesty International, the WHISC training manuals teach illegal military tactics such as torture and prolonging judicial processes. Opposition groups also point to graduates of SOA/WHISC, such as Manuel Noriega, who have committed human rights abuses including rape, murder and torture in Latin America.
'He has no idea how ironic it is that he thinks this will be an opportunity to 'stand up for the truth about morality and justice,'' said Sister Maureen McDonnell of Edgewood College.
Approximately 16,000 people protest each year at WHISC to close the school. Although national media rarely cover the school, celebrities such as Martin Sheen and Susan Sarandon have also protested at Fort Benning.
'People in Colombia have no idea where the people who intimidate them are from, but human rights groups do,' said Colombian Luis Carlos Arenas, a human rights lawyer and director for the Wisconsin Coordinating Council on Nicaragua.
According to Lee Rials, public affairs officer for WHISC, critics should distinguish between the School of the Americas, which was legally closed in 2001, and WHISC. Rails said the WHISC is 'misunderstood' and noted WHISC's 25 courses range from one week to 49-week training sessions, with four involving human rights training. 'Not one person taking a course [at the school] has used that info to commit crimes,' Rials said.
But according to the Center for International Policy, WHISC is in the same building as the former SOA and uses similar manuals, blurring distinctions between the two.
Ten U.S. Congress members signed legislation in 2005 calling for a full investigation into the training manuals and actions past and present of school graduates.
Sister McDonnell said the Bishop betrayed his fellow members of the clergy by joining the board.
'It definitely has caused a loss of respect for him as a justice-educated individual and for any authority as a teacher and leader that he might have had,' McDonnell said.
In a letter, Morlino defended his choice to join the board, saying that his presence would uphold the ethical and moral standards of the school. Morlino did not comment on opposition from Catholic clergy in Madison.
A vigil will be held on Capitol Square Friday, Nov. 18 to remember those killed by graduates and to express solidarity for SOA Watch, a group committed to shutting down the facility.
