The major superiors of the conference gathered face to face and online after a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic. From 17 to 22 July, they assembled in Cambodia, where they met at the peaceful and lush Apostolic Centre of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh. Unfortunately, the major superiors from the Chinese Province and Micronesia were unable to travel due to health restrictions, but attended sessions virtually. The major superiors were also joined by the consultants and the secretaries of Social Ministries, Migration and Refugee Network, Youth Ministry, and Reconciliation with Creation who weighed in on the JCAP Apostolic Plan and flagship project, which were priorities on the agenda.
The meeting started with Fr Kwon Oh-Chang Simon SJ, delegate of the Korean Provincial to the Cambodia Jesuit Mission, who gave an insightful history of the mission. In the 1980s, the Jesuits were already working the refugee camps in Thailand through the Jesuit Refugee Service. By the end of that decade, the Jesuits and their collaborators discerned “on how best to promote peace and reconciliation among Cambodians” as one of the mission pioneers Sr Denise Coghlan put it. In the 1990s, the country was emerging battle-scarred and traumatised from a dark period of war and an oppressive regime. Meantime, the Jesuits in Cambodia had started on significant projects, notably Banteay Prieb (Centre of the Dove) where they offered vocational training for disabled survivors of landmines and polio, also, rural development programmes and creative reconciliation activities. The Cambodia mission has made strides since then: by 2013, the ecology programme started, in 2014, Xavier Jesuit School began, and in 2015 the Magga Research Center, which publishes books and supports higher education, opened. Today, the Jesuit Mission in Cambodia continues to prioritise social justice, relationships with local communities, empower local institutions and people, and collaborate with other religions and people of goodwill.
The assembly spent a significant amount of time on the examen of the JCAP Apostolic Plan for 2021-2025. Ever mindful of the changes brought about by Covid and the shifting forces of politics and economics, the group prayed over, discussed in detail, and revised the plan accordingly–a demonstration of discernment in common. The fruit of the apostolic plan, the conference’s flagship project Caring for Communities and Creation, was discussed in detail. As the project is still in the initial stages, there are many moving parts that need to be assessed and tweaked as necessary.
Another important part of the meeting was a session on vocation promotion, with each major superior giving updates on what is happening on the ground in their respective units. In relation to this, there was a discussion on the synergy between the youth ministry and vocation promotion, mainly on how a culture of vocations can be nurtured in young people. The conversation extended to safeguarding, an integral part of development and formation, and how it is important to cultivate a culture of safeguarding especially in schools and institutions.
The context of Myanmar was another highlight. Fr Girish Santiago SJ, major superior of the Myanmar region, gave updates on the situation in the country and more importantly what the conference can do to help. While financial support is valuable, Fr Santiago called for the group to develop traction for Myanmar, particularly, to focus attention on the work of Jesuit Refugee Service; keep the pressure to receive refugees in India, Thailand, and Malaysia; urge for the support of major agencies like WFP, UNDP, and UNHCR; understand and advocate for awareness, and keep Myanmar in our consciousness and prayers; support educational projects, such as life skills and leadership trainings for children and youth in IDP camps, and to condemn the ongoing bombings of the military junta. Despite the strife in Myanmar, Jesuit vocations continue to grow, a source of hope and consolation.
Near the end of the week-long gathering, the Spanish Jesuit Bishop Enrique Figaredo SJ, Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, addressed the group and spoke about the importance of supporting the people of Cambodia. One of the pioneers of the Jesuit mission, Bishop Kike as he is known to many, celebrated 20 years as the Apostolic Prefect of Battambang in 2020.
At the end of the assembly, the major superiors expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to meet face to face after so long, and particularly enjoyed the private time they were able to spend in conversation with each other. A strong feeling of solidarity permeated the gathering, giving a sense of real community within the Jesuit superiors of Asia Pacific as it moves forward with the Missio Dei.