As we leave 2021 behind, we look back on a year full of God’s grace. In the past year we have been blessed with a new apostolic plan, the erection of a new Jesuit Region, a celebration of a golden jubilee, and many more significant moments for our Jesuit conference.
25-29 January
JCAP Major Superiors hold their 2nd virtual assembly in an atmosphere of synodality in a digital world. New major superiors are welcomed: Fr Quyen Vu SJ of the Australian Province, Fr Edward Quinnan SJ of the Micronesia and Fiji Community, and Fr Miguel Garaizábal SJ of the Thailand Region. Read more
6 March
The Jesuit Mission in Micronesia celebrates 100 years since the arrival of the first Jesuit missionaries on the island in 1921. Read more
19 March
The Myanmar Jesuit Mission becomes a Dependent Region of the Philippine Province. The new governance structure will support the growth and development of the Myanmar Region even as it offers the Philippine Province a greater sense of the Society’s international mission. Read more
4 April
The Philippine Church begins the yearlong commemoration of 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. Read more
16 April
Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific launches the 40-4-40 project in collaboration with the Reconciliation with Creation Network, Jesuit Companions in Indigenous Ministry, and the Young Adult Ministry. The project aims to plant 40,000 trees in partner communities in the Philippines, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. Read more
24 April
Jesuits in Jakarta join an interfaith prayer and bike rally on the eve of the ASEAN Summit to show support for the people of Myanmar and pray for an end to the political and civil crisis. Read more
3 May
Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ launches his new book, Walking with Ignatius, presenting the first copy to Pope Francis. Read more
13 May
JCAP launches its Apostolic Plan 2021-2025. The Conference aims to walk in a journey of conversion and synodality, committing to the urgent call of poverty and reconciliation with creation, and seeking to collaborate especially with the youth, with the Church, with other faiths, and with those in civil society engaged in similar concerns. Read more
20 May
The global Society of Jesus begins the celebration of the Ignatian Year, commemorating St Ignatius’ conversion 500 years ago in the Battle of Pamplona. Read more
21 May
The Philippine Province announces a renewed province plan 2021-2024, centered around five thrusts: 1) fostering integrity and accountability in their communities and institutions, 2) feeding the hungry and creating sustainable livelihoods, 3) summoning the youth to engaged citizenship, 4) building faith-based hope and resiliency, and 5) cultivating personal and institutional ecological conversion. Read more
2 June
The Jesuit conferences of Asia Pacific and South Asia through Jesuit Mission Australia with religious and lay leaders from around the world unite in prayer for Myanmar and India. Read more
28 June-2 July
JCAP Education hosts the second Jesuit Education (JESEDU) Global Colloquium as a fully online event. Read more
5 July
Indian tribal rights defender Fr Stan Swamy SJ dies in Mumbai after nine months in prison. His arrest in October sparked an unprecedented show of solidarity from all over the world. Read more
8 September
The Society of Jesus in Indonesia marks 50 years as an independent province. Read more
6-8 October
JCAP holds inaugural gathering of novices from Jesuit novitiates in Australia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, South Korea, Philippines, and Indonesia. Read more
31 October
Some 109 Jesuit brothers from all over the world meet online for a worldwide Jesuit brothers’ gathering hosted by JCAP. Read more
1 November
Fr Stephen Tong SJ becomes the new Provincial of the Chinese Province, succeeding Fr Stephen Chow SJ. Read more
6 November
The Jesuit parish of St Ignatius and Caritas Singapore inaugurate a Climate Action Conference for Catholic parishes in Singapore. Read more
10 November
The Australian Jesuits join a growing number of Catholic organisations committing to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development’s Laudato sí Action Platform. Read more
1 December
The theologates of the Jesuit conferences of Asia Pacific and South Asia organise their first “Conversation” to enhance students’ theological formation for mission in the Asian context. This series of Conversations will continue in 2022. Read more
4 December
Fr Stephen Chow SJ is installed as the ninth Bishop of Hong Kong by Cardinal John Tong Hon. Read more
20 December
The Buddhist and Studies Dialogue Group publishes its second anthology titled, “The Wheel & The Cross” based on the loving friendship that forms the most vital base for interreligious dialogue and collaboration. Read more