Companions in a mission of justice and reconciliation

11 December 2007

IP Gathering in Davao

Categories: Social Justice

Nine Jesuits, together with sixteen lay partners, attended the weeklong gathering of Jesuits working with indigenous peoples in Asia. It was held from October 29 – November 5 at the Dominican Retreat House, Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City, Philippines. The Jesuit participants were Bro Dominic Tran Van Tan (VIE), Sch Francis Lim (MAS) and Frs Yves Nalet (CHN), Jojo M. Fung (MAS), Patrick Mullins (ASL), Pedro Walpole (PHI), Bogs Tapiador (PHI), Albert Alejo (PHI) and Vinai Boonlue (TAI). On November 4, Fr Adolfo Nicolas joined the group. The gathering included a 2-day visit to the T’boli tribe in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. The Mindanawon Initiatives for Cultural Dialogue, headed by Fr Alejo, hosted this year’s JCIM (Jesuit Companions in Indigenous Ministry) meeting.

Together with lay partners and lumad leaders from the Philippines, the Jesuits reflected on the issues of Education, Environment and Economy in relation to the indigenous peoples in Asia. They tackled the problems and prospects touching on the promotion of indigenous education, scaling up production of tribal handicrafts for the international market, as well as transforming Jesuit formation in light of so much marginalization that accompanies globalization. One delegate observed that it was a “life-changing experience.

Among the more concrete plans that emerged from the gathering were the training of indigenous entrepreneurs, inter-assistance cooperation on issues like mining, production of a booklet on indigenous prayers and rituals, and development of contextualized and indigenous theology subjects in seminaries. The next meeting will be in 2009 in Chiangmai, Thailand. It will be coordinated by Frs Yves, Nalet (CHN), Albert Alejo (PHI), Jojo Fung (MAS) and Vinai Boonlue (TAI). Its focus will be on Jesuit ministry to indigenous youth and its implications for the social and cultural formation of Jesuits with the theme, IP Youth Leadership: Facing a Changing world in the Future. The group also sent some inputs regarding GC 35, providing fresh views and even critical insights on the way Jesuits tend to talk about marginalization and globalization.

No tags assigned.

Share this article

More News

Subscribe to JCAP eNews

Stay Connected with the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.

Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific will use the information you provide on this form to provide news and updates. Please tick the box below to confirm your subscription.

JCAP eNews

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at enews@jcapsj.org. We will treat your information with respect. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at enews@jcapsj.org. We will treat your information with respect. By clicking below, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms.

GDPR We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.