The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific has published its 2022 annual report with a focus on governance, reconciliation with creation, migrants and refugees, and youth.
A most significant moment in our conference last year was the release of the Apostolic Plan 2021-2025. Dr Christina Kheng shares the process of discernment in common and walking in synodality that marked the three-year journey of discerning the conference priorities, which comprise cura apostolica (care of the apostolic works), and cura personalis and governance (care of the personnel and governance).
Along the lines of strengthening governance, Fr Mark Raper SJ, Superior of the Jesuits in Myanmar, reports on the new status for the Golden Land. The Myanmar mission became a dependent region of the Philippine Province in March 2021. “The relationship gives the Myanmar mission a juridical status in the Society, but it also represents a new maturity for the region and greater possibility to contribute to the Society’s universal mission,” writes Fr Raper.
While Myanmar makes its beginning as a Jesuit region, Indonesia turned 50 years old as an independent province. Their story recalls the early Java mission and explores the opportunity of a golden anniversary in deepening their Indonesian identity in a global Society.
In the area of caring for creation, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Asia Pacific launched the 40-4-40 project that aspires to engage marginal forest communities in growing 40,000 trees to generate canopies. Its Director, Louie Bacomo, highlights how the project is helping to strengthen indigenous communities and youth groups, as well as contribute to the process of rediscovery and regeneration of culture, spirituality, and way of living.
Another sphere where young people are making a difference is in Myanmar where, as Scholastic PV Joseph Buan Sing SJ writes, the Magis youth are reaching out to young people and giving them friendly spaces to strengthen their faith and heal each other amid the armed conflict and the wide ranging impact of the pandemic.
Also strongly affected by the pandemic are migrants and refugees. Fr Jun Nakai SJ asks, “How do we answer the call of Fratelli Tutti?” He raises the importance of having a global network to support our brothers and sisters on the move.
All these stories carry the theme of solidarity, and we hope readers find in them reasons for optimism and hope. We are thankful for the blessings that the Lord has graced the conference, but we also take cognisance of the challenges that call us to greater listening, discernment, conversion, and participation.
JCAP President Fr Tony Moreno SJ writes in his message: “We move on as a synodal body eager to listen and learn from each other, willing to encounter surprises in our life-mission, desirous to find the will of God, and committed to allowing the Spirit to accompany us in our journey toward fullness of life and freedom.”
To download Jesuits in Asia Pacific 2022, click here. If you would like a printed copy, please send an email to comms@jcapsj.org.
