The Jesuit Communications (JesCom) network in Asia Pacific convened in Hong Kong from 3 to 5 July for their first face-to-face meeting since the pandemic. The gathering, facilitated by Fr Emmanuel Alfonso SJ, conference Secretary for Social Communications, Paolo Antonio Gonzalez, JesCom Philippines Multimedia and Training Manager, and Fr Primitivo Viray Jr SJ, conference President, brought together representatives from Australia, Malaysia-Singapore, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Indonesia, Chinese Province, and the Philippines.
The first day covered comprehensive reports on media and social communication activities and projects. Fr Alfonso, who is the Executive Director of Jescom Philippines, noted the significant accomplishments of the network last year, which included a co-hosted live-streamed panel discussion with the JCAP Reconciliation with Creation (RWC) network on the message of Laudate Deum and a digital citizenship workshop for students of Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta.
Day two focused on planning for the coming year. Gonzalez, who is an assistant instructor at the Ateneo de Manila University’s IT Department, presented on the current Asia-Pacific media environment. This provided the context for a strategic mapping of critical regional issues led by Fr Alfonso, while Fr Viray shared the General Curia’s priorities.
The group also engaged in a SWOT analysis before planning for common projects in the next two years. Potential projects that were identified included a media campaign for the visit of Pope Francis to Asia in September, a revamped vocations promotion video, as well as workshops and modules to further strengthen initiatives on protecting the environment upon the urgent appeal of Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ.
The highlight of the third and final day was the group’s audience with Stephen Chow Sau-yan SJ, Cardinal and Bishop of Hong Kong. Previously the provincial superior of the Chinese Jesuit Province, Cardinal Chow shared insights on the state of the Catholic Church in the Chinese context. The group also enjoyed some free time, immersing themselves in the sights, sounds, and culture of Hong Kong.
After they reconvened for a thanksgiving Mass later that evening, celebrating a fruitful three-day conference, the group bade each other good luck and farewell, armed with a renewed sense of purpose and mission for spreading the Word of God in the region.
