Fr. Bob Cushing is a priest in Cordele, Georgia who visits with Fr. Louie on Friday mornings at the Crisp County Detention Center, where he is currently serving a six month prison sentence for his peace witness at the School of the Americas last November.  Here is Fr. Cushing’s latest update:

On Friday, February 19 I went as usual to visit with Fr. Louie at the Crisp County Detention Center. I was running a little late because of a hospital appointment, but they let me in right away. Cheryll, the gatekeeper, doesn’t even call Chief Partain any more to see if I can have Lawyer-client privilege for the meeting room, she just checks my driver’s license number and pops me into the system and calls for Louie to be brought up so that we can meet.  This beats the heck out of the usual glass wall with the telephone as the place for visiting!  I am grateful for this grace where we can give each other hugs and share Eucharist together in the flesh.

Both if us expected that they would throw us out at 11:30 AM when visiting hours close, but we stayed together a full hour undisturbed, and I left on my own initiative just before noon.  Louie had me carry out the book on Roy Bourgeois [The Warrior Priest] and a hardback [most unusual! They don’t allow them!] The Saint and the Sultan on Saint Francis of Assisi’s Mission of Peace, which Louie enjoyed immensely. 

Louie seemed very upbeat and energetic.

There’s considerable speculation about Louie’s possibilities for being moved, mainly because they have him listed as being “in transit” which means just about any time they want they can move him.  But we take it day by day.

Actually the guy to work through on various issues and Louie’s needs seems to be  Sgt. Aken because he is the Federal contact person…

He likes his accommodations in the smaller segregated cell.  The company is fascinating he said.  So that’s all to report this week!

Thanks to all who are praying and supporting Louie around the country.
Let us continue this circle of care for our beloved brother.

In Christ and in his peace,                 

Fr. Bob Cushing