Fr. Greg Boyle to share stories of hope, redemption
MANILA, Philippines — Fr. Greg Boyle, a renowned advocate for gang intervention and rehabilitation, is set to speak at Ateneo de Manila University’s Hyundai Hall in the Arete complex on Friday, September 6.
The event will provide an inspiring opportunity to hear Fr. Boyle recount his experiences working with former gang members through Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang intervention, rehabilitation, and re-entry program, based in Los Angeles.
Fr. Boyle, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, served as pastor of Dolores Mission Church from 1986 to 1992. At the time, it was the poorest Catholic parish in LA and the epicenter of gang activity during the so-called "decade of death," when gang violence surged to a peak of 1,000 killings in 1992.
Amid the violence, Fr. Boyle and his community chose a radical path: to treat gang members as human beings rather than criminals.
This approach led to the founding of Homeboy Industries in 1988, an organization that now provides employment, training, and a range of social services to over 10,000 formerly incarcerated and gang-involved individuals each year.
Offering holistic services like job training, tattoo removal and family counseling, the organization touches the lives of around 10,000 individuals annually.
The social enterprise, with an annual revenue of US$ 40 million, has become a beacon of hope for those who once felt abandoned by society.
Fr. Boyle is also a celebrated author, known for his books "Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion" (2010), "Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship" (2017), and "The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness" (2021). His latest work, "Forgive Everyone Everything," is an anthology accompanied by artwork by Fabian Debora.
His contributions to social justice have earned him numerous accolades, including the California Peace Prize, the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame, and most recently, the 2024 Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
The event, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, will also be livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook. Interested participants may register via this link.
