Father Don Doll, a beloved Jesuit priest on campus gave a talk last Tuesday, Sept. 24 as a part of the Solidarity Lecture Series. Titled “Solidarity Through Photography,” Doll presented a slideshow, along with many stories about his experiences as a photographer for his latest project, “The Jesuits.” From parts of Africa and Asia to the Middle East, Doll has seen more in his life time than some of us can ever hope to see in a lifetime.

Doll has lived in Omaha since 1969 where he has worked at Creighton University as a journalism professor. He holds the Charles and Mary Heider Jesuit Chair and his extensive resume includes works published in National Geographic, two published books on Native Americans and many prestigious awards for his dedicated work abroad in photojournalism.

His most recent project, “The Jesuits,” has taken him all over the world and one of his stories, “Finding Ernesto,” was featured on ABC’s “Nightline” in Nov.  1999. Doll has traveled with volunteers and teachers from The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) that has helped improve the lives of people in impoverished areas of several countries. At one point during one of his recent trips, Doll had arrived in Thailand where he was meeting up with volunteers from JRS. He photographed Catholic volunteers helping members of the Muslim community build a Mosque.

“It is a beautiful thing to see when religion can come together like that,” Doll said, “That is how the world should be. Helping each other in such a beautiful way to respect one’s belief

in spirituality.”

Doll also showed several pictures from his travels to Lebanon in the Middle East where he explored a place where several religions

come together.

“Lebanon may be one of the most religiously diverse countries in the Middle East,” Doll said, “The main two religions are the Christians in the middle of the country and Islam (Shia and Sunni) in the North and South.”

One volunteer he met through JRS had mentioned to him that her next project was taking her to Omaha. Joyfully, Doll gave her his contact information and told her to call him as soon as she moved here. A few months later, Doll received a phone call.

“She spoke pretty minimal English, but we communicated enough to where I understood,” Doll said. “I invited her and her husband for a Christmas dinner that year and gave them a great meal. I am grateful to have met her.”