Development Officers’ Workshop, JCEAO Manila, 22-24 February 2010
As old ways fail, new paths open. Financial crises of recent years demonstrate that the Society can no longer rely on single sources of income such as investments, to fulfill its mission. Asia Pacific development officers, gathered for a workshop in Manila recently, explored alternative sources of support for the Jesuit mission. Being a new Conference network, they engaged in the exercise with enthusiasm and revealed considerable knowledge and skills. Many people in Asia, whether they are Christian or otherwise, do wish to contribute to our efforts, they affirmed. The challenge, and this is the core task of development offices, is to reach out to them and invite them to share in our mission. The workshop explored the practicalities of making and sustaining contact with our partners in mission.
Clear leadership by the Provincial and cooperation of Jesuits are essential to the success of this approach. Coordination among members of a province, good apostolic planning that identifies the Society’s priority projects, transparency in reporting our needs and resources, accountable management of assets, are all elements identified by the workshop.
The provinces and regions of the Conference that do not yet have a development office have begun to plan for one. If their apostolic work and the formation of young Jesuits are to continue they certainly need such support. Provincials were urged to give adequate resources and personnel to get these offices going. The established mission offices undertook to assist those that are still being created. In many cases these programs engage lay people who have formation in the Ignatian Exercises and solid business experience.
The Asia Pacific Jesuit Conference has identified the following priority needs.
First, the formation of Jesuits: the number of novices in Asia grows each year. In the places of greatest growth, such as Vietnam, East Timor and Myanmar, the Society has meagre resources. Secondly, the new apostolic projects in the regions are compelling. In East Timor over the next several years we are preparing to build and staff a new secondary school and teacher training facility. In Cambodia Jesuits and collaborators offer a nation wide program of social services and pastoral care. There a large number of young people demand our attention, since their parents’ generation has suffered great damage. In Myanmar we must now lay down solid apostolic foundations for a wave of indigenous Jesuits now in formation.
During the workshop valuable input was given by Ms. Tina O’Brien and Mr Michael Bourg, two dedicated resource persons from the Oregon and New Orleans Provinces of the Society. Both lay persons shared their years of experience, their affection for the Society, and their intimate understanding of a spirituality of fund raising that is truly Ignatian. Present also was the newly appointed person from the General Treasurer’s office, Fr Jorge Serrano Ordoñez, who will resource this new cooperative network.
For further information, contact Fr Benedict Kang-Yup Jung .