He was protesting the Vietnam war as early as 1966. When he defeated hawkish Philip J. Philbin, a 28-year veteran of the House, in suburban Boston in 1970, Democrat Drinan became the first Catholic priest ever elected to Congress. ("There have been 96 Protestant clergymen over the years," he says.) In 1973, after the Cambodia bombing, he was the first congressman to call for Richard Nixon's impeachment. Now, in his fourth book, Honor the Promise, Drinan, 57, is championing Israel's cause.
He urges America not to ignore its historical commitment to Israel simply to pander to the oil-producing countries. He also warns against the spread of subtle anti-Semitism. "I'm trying to make better Christians out of the Christians," says Drinan.
He decided to become a priest while studying English at Boston College and was ordained 11 years later. He has master's degrees in English and law and was dean of the BC Law School from 1956 to 1970. When an anti-Vietnam citizens' group asked him to run for Congress, his Jesuit superior joked, "That's a hell of a good idea. We'll get rid of you for a while."
When not visiting his constituents, Drinan lives in a monastic room at Georgetown University. When he entertains at small dinner parties, the school prepares and serves the food. "I have a good social life," Drinan says. Still, he is up by 6:30, at his office in the Ray-burn Building two hours later and rarely leaves the Hill before 7 p.m.
Royalties from his new book will go to the Jesuits, as does his $57,500 congressional salary after expenses and taxes. Father Drinan voices a complaint familiar to most Americans: "There isn't much left, frankly."
Saved by the Bell Reunion
The hookups, the meltdowns, the memoires
The case reveals what was really going on what they think of each other now!
