Rectors and Formation delegates across the Conference of Asia Pacific gathered in Manila recently to discuss how to form Jesuits for the needs and contexts of the globalized, interconnected world we live in today.
In particular, the 18 Jesuits who attended the JCAP Formators’ Circle Meeting from August 11 to 13 spoke of each community’s efforts to implement the Profile of a Formed Jesuit for Asia Pacific, which the Conference published in November 2011.
“Some communities are still trying to look for ways to use it, while others have already started to employ them – as recollection material or as the basis for self- and peer- assessment or evaluation,” said Fr Renato Repole, Rector of Arrupe International Residence and one of the meeting’s organisers.
“In AIR, we try to achieve the goal of enhancing Universal Perspective by grouping our international community by Provinces and Regions, and asking them to share, through various means, especially on faith and culture.”
Fr Arthur Leger, Director of the East Asian Pastoral Institute, showed how the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm can help sharpen the Profile as context, experience and reflection are crucial to the paradigm. Following well from this was Fr Ben Nebres’ consultation of the formators on the ongoing subject of re-visiting Jesuit studies, a task entrusted to him and members of his committee by Fr General. The aim is to make the studies of Jesuit formands relevant to the needs and contexts of our times.
The group also discussed the training of formators, and Fr Michael Smith, head of the planning committee, presented the three-year JCAP programme to training formators, which will begin in Manila in August 2013.
Finally, the group reviewed possibilities for the next JCAP Delegate for Formation (to replace the late Fr Matthias Chae SJ) and for the new position of Delegate for Studies. Three names will be submitted to the President for consideration in his forthcoming consult.