U.S. man found to be traitor in Taliban

by Vince DeFrusclo assistant news editor

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said that John Walker, an American captured fighting for the Taliban, will have "all the rights he is due."

20-year-old Walker left Northern California after graduating from an alternative high school at the age of 17, moving to Yemen. He joined the Taliban about six months ago, during the summer.

His father, Frank Lindh, appeared exclusively on CNN's "Larry King Live" and said that he hired a lawyer to represent his son. Lindh called his son a "good boy." He said that Walker didn't go to "make war against his own country." Walker had been involved with the Taliban before the Sept. 11 attacks.

Lindh also said that he doesn't think his son is a traitor. Rumsfeld has drawn no conclusions on Walker being a traitor, and says that he hasn't gotten around to thinking what Walker's status is.

Walker surrendered in Mazar-e Sharif after a revolt of Taliban prisoners last week. He suffered a bullet wound, and was hit by shrapnel in the uprising. Currently, Walker is in the custody of U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan. on his life, he decided to go into this order of priests. dering the idea of becoming a priest. Father Albero and the three men live in a house on the Daylesford Abbey grounds. This is a big part of his job, helping to guide these men to their vocation.

While in an Afghan hospital this weekend, Walker spoke to journalists saying that he supported the Sept. 11 attacks. Lindh claims that his son was under duress, and was disoriented when he made those comments.

Walker converted to Islam at the age of 16 after reading the works of Malcolm X. He told CNN, "I started reading some of the literature of their scholars and the history of the movement, and my heart became attached to them."

"What I know is that a couple of others have contended they are Americans. Whether they are Americans and where they may be, I don't know," Rumsfield said.

The State Department checked Walker's passport to confirm his citizenship. They are trying to get in touch with Walker's mother, who is listed as his emergency contact.

He entered the Norbertin community in 1984. He then went on to be ordained in May of I 99 I. He started his teachings back at his old school, St. John Neumann, for a year. He then traveled down to Delaware to teach for four years and ended coming back to Philadelphia and teaching at Archbishop Ryan for a year. Once again, he returned to St. John Neumann for four years and worked there as a guidance director. After that he came to Cabri¢.

A couple years back Father Steve took a trip to Europe for eight weeks. This is where many religious groups met and held conferences and meetings with priests and nuns from all over the world.

Father Steve Albero, Campus Minister

Father Albero's main job now is to get men to join the priesthood community: This is rather important now more than ever because of the decline of men going into the priesthood. He is currently housing three men who are pon-

It was a nice time to get together and meet with different people who are all working to get this world going in the same direction, according to Father Albero.

Father Albero wants everyone to know that he is available to anyone. He is there to listen or to guide anyone who needs help. Even if you just want to stop by and say hello, he will be there.