Faith Based Activism

Father Henry Atkins has been an Episcopal priest and advocate for the poor and oppressed for more than 40 years. He believes there is a direct connection between spirituality and responsibility for social justice- a belief that began when, as a kid in the south, he witnessed his preacher grandfather stand up to the KKK. Fr. Atkins worked in the civil rights movement in the 60's and in the 70's, focused his attention on El Salvador and the Dominican Republic. In the 80's, he came back to the US and worked at Rutgers University. While there, he led his church in participating in a refugee program for people from Guatemala. He feels strongly that as white people have an obligation to show solidarity with people in need. He?s currently serving at St. Thomas Church in Hanover.