The year 2018 is another season of grace. We started the year by launching the discernment of the universal apostolic preferences (UAPs) in our conference. The process was rolled out following Fr General Arturo Sosa’s letter to the Society on 03 October 2017. Through the input from Jesuit communities, formands and ministries, we were able to elevate the discernment to the provinces, regions and missions of Asia Pacific. Finally the assembly of major superiors as a discerning body gathered in Tokyo from 30 October to 01 November to go through a discernment process and finalise our UAP input to Fr General. The whole experience was positively received, by and large. The entire process of discernment in common involved most extensively the participation of Jesuits and partners in mission.
On 04 August, we had a testimonial dinner to honour with gratitude Fr Adolfo Nicolás and to launch the Adolfo Nicolás EAPI Endowment Fund two days before he left for Tokyo. After he resigned as Superior General in 2016, he was missioned to the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) and Arrupe International Residence (AIR). Both are common works of the conference. Both communities continue to miss his edifying and inspiring presence since he arrived on 16 February 2017.
Following the practice of discernment in common, the EAPI staff and members of the board had an executive retreat on 19 to 21 October in Antipolo to look at possible strategic directions for the future. We did not simply plan. We discerned where God was leading us. Some units of the conference are likewise deeply discerning and planning. Others are about to begin their own process.
Leadership remains a top priority programme in the conference. For this reason, we started another round of Leadership Development Program (LDP2) for Jesuits and mission partners. LDP1 had 39 participants initially which Ateneo CORD conducted within two years in four modules. Our first LDP2 module was done in Baguio City on 04 to 11 October. A total of 35 participants from the different units of the conference were represented. The programme was generally very well received with an overall rating of 4.5 (5 being the highest).
We are blessed to have 45 formands in AIR including those taking up graduate and special studies programme. On 27 October, we had diaconate ordinations for 15 of our brethren including one from the Philippine Province, a former AIR resident. This is a record-high figure for the AIR community.
We have started to review the Apostolic Plan (2014-19) in view of crafting a new one. Once we are given the new UAPs and have contemplated our world and church today using the lens of the Trinity, we will envisage a new apostolic roadmap for 2020 to 24. This is again another exercise of discernment in common.
From 01 to 15 December, Fr General visited Vietnam and the Philippines. Last year he visited Cambodia, Indonesia and Singapore. This is his second time to be in Asia Pacific and his first time to visit the two provinces as Superior General. He summarised his most recent Asia Pacific visit in these words: “This is another opportunity to know more about the richness of the cultures in Asia. This time, I have been in Vietnam and the Philippines… Also it’s an opportunity to know face-to-face my fellow Jesuits. Really it’s also a moment for me of consolation to find the people and it’s an opportunity to share the same vocation in so diverse a context.”
So much needs to be done in the years ahead. For now, we can only remain grateful to the Lord of the vineyard for the blessings received. May he continue to accompany us in our journey as companions in a mission of reconciliation and justice.
Tony Moreno SJ
President, Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific