Marvin Bordelon Papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: GTM-20240220

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Scope and Contents

Papers of Marvin Joseph Bordelon that document his work for the United States Catholic Conference as Director of the Division of World Peace and Justice (1967-1970) and the Director of the Department of International Affairs (1970-1972). It also documents his work for the American Conference on Religious Movements (1987-1999). Materials include correspondence, reports, articles, organizational records, and biographical materials.

See the External Documents section below for a collection inventory.

Dates

Creation: 1967 - 2009
Creation: Majority of material found within 1967 - 1997

Creator

Bordelon, Marvin, 1923-2009 (Person)
American Conference on Religious Movements (Organization)
United States Catholic Conference. Division of World Justice and Peace (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Conditions Governing Use

Rights to the works of Marvin Bordelon in this collection have been transferred to Georgetown University. Rights to materials produced on behalf of organizations, such as the American Conference on Religious Movements, are held by those organizations.

Biographical Note

Marvin Bordelon (1923-2009) was a theological writer and essayist who advocated for civil rights throughout his life. He was born in Bordelonville, Louisiana. He entered St. Joseph Seminary (St. Benedict, LA) in 1943 before graduating and moving on to Notre Dame Seminary (New Orleans) where he studied philosophy and theology for six years. He went on to become an Assistant Pastor and then Pastor to congregations in Louisiana.

In 1962, Bordelon traveled to Africa on a fact finding mission for the church and was invested as a Papal Chamberlain by Pope John XXXIII. He was appointed the first Director of the Division of World Peace and Justice (1967-1970) and the Director of the Department of International Affairs (1970-1972) at the United States Catholic Conference following the establishment of the USCC after Vatican II. At the end of 1972, he resigned, married Barbara H. Bordelon, was laicized, and eventually established the American Conference on Religious Movements.