Father Luis Olivares, a Biography: Faith Politics and the Origins of the Sanctuary Movement in Los Angeles

Father Luis Olivares was a Catholic priest and a charismatic, faith-driven leader for social justice who championed the Los Angeles sanctuary movement. He provided safe havens in churches and synagogues for thousands of Central American refugees, countering the Reagan administration's policy of rebuffing them. This biography traces his life from his humble beginnings to his close friendship with Cesar Chavez and his historic leadership of the United Neighborhoods Organization and the sanctuary movement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 560 pages
Publication date: 28 February 2022
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Father Luis Olivares, a Catholic priest and a charismatic, faith-driven leader for social justice, played a pivotal role in the Los Angeles sanctuary movement. Beginning in 1980 and continuing for most of the decade, hundreds of thousands of Salvadoran and Guatemalan refugees made the hazardous journey to the United States, seeking asylum from political repression and violence in their home states. Instead of being welcomed by the country of immigrants, they were rebuffed by the Reagan administration, which supported the governments from which they fled. To counter this policy, a powerful sanctuary movement rose up to provide safe havens in churches and synagogues for thousands of Central American refugees.

Based on previously unexplored archives and over ninety oral histories, this compelling biography traces the life of a complex and constantly evolving individual, from Olivares' humble beginnings in San Antonio, Texas, to his close friendship with legendary civil rights leader Cesar Chavez and his historic leadership of the United Neighborhoods Organization and the sanctuary movement.

Olivares' journey began in San Antonio, where he grew up in a family of nine children. He was a devout Catholic and was inspired by the social teachings of the church, particularly the call to serve the poor and marginalized. After graduating from high school, Olivares attended St. Mary's University in San Antonio, where he earned a degree in philosophy.

During his time at St. Mary's, Olivares became involved in the civil rights movement. He participated in protests and marches, advocating for the rights of African Americans and other marginalized groups. Olivares also worked with the Catholic Worker Movement, a social justice organization that provides aid and support to the poor and homeless.

After graduating from St. Mary's, Olivares was ordained a Catholic priest in 1960. He served in various parishes in Texas and California before being assigned to the United Neighborhoods Organization (UNO) in Los Angeles in 1975. UNO was a community-based organization that worked to improve the lives of low-income and marginalized communities in Los Angeles.

Olivares quickly became a prominent figure in the UNO community. He was known for his charismatic leadership and his commitment to social justice. Olivares led UNO in a number of successful campaigns, including the fight for affordable housing, the protection of immigrant workers, and the promotion of community health.

Olivares' involvement in the sanctuary movement began in the early 1980s, when the Reagan administration began to crack down on illegal immigration. The administration implemented policies that made it difficult for immigrants to obtain legal status, and many immigrants were forced to live in fear of deportation.

Olivares saw the plight of these immigrants and decided to take action. He began to provide safe havens in churches and synagogues for Central American refugees who were fleeing political repression and violence in their home states. Olivares believed that these refugees had a right to seek asylum in the United States and that the government should not turn them away.

Olivares' leadership in the sanctuary movement was controversial. Some members of the Catholic Church criticized him for providing shelter to undocumented immigrants, while others praised him for his commitment to social justice. The Reagan administration also took notice of Olivares' activities and began to pressure him to stop providing sanctuary to refugees.

Despite the pressure, Olivares continued to provide sanctuary to refugees. He believed that it was his moral obligation to help those in need and that the government should not be allowed to turn its back on those who were fleeing persecution. Olivares also believed that the sanctuary movement was a way to bring attention to the plight of immigrants and to advocate for policies that would provide them with legal status and protection.

Olivares' leadership in the sanctuary movement was not without its challenges. He faced legal threats and was arrested on several occasions for providing shelter to refugees. He also faced criticism from some members of the UNO community, who believed that he was putting the organization's reputation at risk by taking such a controversial stance.

Despite these challenges, Olivares remained committed to the sanctuary movement. He continued to provide safe havens in churches and synagogues for refugees and to advocate for policies that would protect them. Olivares also continued to work with other social justice organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Immigration Law Center (NILC).

Olivares' legacy in the sanctuary movement is significant. He played a pivotal role in providing safe havens for thousands of Central American refugees and in advocating for policies that would protect immigrants. Olivares' commitment to social justice and his willingness to stand up for what he believed in made him a hero to many and a symbol of the power of community organizing.

In conclusion, Father Luis Olivares was a Catholic priest and a charismatic, faith-driven leader for social justice. He played a pivotal role in the Los Angeles sanctuary movement, providing safe havens in churches and synagogues for thousands of Central American refugees. Olivares' leadership in the sanctuary movement was controversial, but he remained committed to his beliefs and to the cause of social justice. Olivares' legacy in the sanctuary movement is significant, and his example continues to inspire activists and community organizers today.

Weight: 878g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469669274