The year 2020 was a uniquely trying time for all of us. Over a million lives were lost in the pandemic, which has affected the poor and vulnerable the most, and pushed more people into poverty. “Lockdowns”, “social distancing”, and “face masks” became part of our everyday language. Many of us transitioned to work from home. Despite the obstacles we met, we look back on the previous year and find many significant moments in the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific. Covid-19 challenged us to adapt to the new normal and we did so with incredible resilience, pushing forward and growing stronger as a conference.
To mark the end of 2020, we share some of the stories that highlighted our year beyond Covid-19. This roundup does not include the efforts of our provinces, regions, and missions in reaching out to those most affected by the pandemic, which you can read about here.
13-20 January
Seoul
Novice Directors of JCAP meet in Seoul, South Korea. They are joined by Fr Riyo Mursanto SJ, JCAP Delegate for Formation, and Fr Mark Ravizza SJ, Fr General’s Delegate for Formation from Rome. Read more
1-8 February
Baguio
JCAP Major Superiors take an eight-day retreat prior to their Major Superiors Assembly in Baguio City, Philippines.
20 February
Rome
Fr General Arturo Sosa holds his first webinar on the first anniversary of the release of the Universal Apostolic Preferences. Read more
30 April
Rome
Fr General Arturo Sosa holds another webinar, this time on care for the mission in light of Covid-19. Read more
1 May
Seoul
The Korean Province has a new Provincial Fr Kim Yong-su Paschal SJ. Read more
20 May
Tokyo
Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ, 30th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, dies at the age of 84 in Tokyo, Japan. Read more
30 May
The Society of Jesus holds the first online global Ignatian prayer vigil for Pentecost. Read more
5 June
Philippines
The Philippine Jesuits and Lasallian Brothers release a joint statement opposing Philippines’ anti-terror bill, which many fear could threaten human rights. Read more
8 June
JCAP President Fr Tony Moreno appoints Filipino Jesuit Fr James Gascon as Coordinator of the new Safety in Ministry network to advance a culture of safeguarding and integrity in the conference. Read more
1 July
Fr Gabriel Dennis Lamug-Nañawa is appointed Coordinator for JCAP Reconciliation with Creation with Sylvia Miclat and Sue Martin as Assistant Coordinators.
13-17 July
JCAP Major Superiors hold their very first online assembly. Read more
16 July
Phnom Penh
The Magga Jesuit Research Center publishes a Khmer translation of the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy to help students and researchers understand the fundamental concepts of Philosophy in their local language. Read more
20 July
Indonesia
Fr Benedictus Hari Juliawan SJ begins his mission as Provincial of the Indonesian Jesuit Province. Read more
25 July
Fr Jeffrey Chang SJ is appointed Coordinator of the Network of Deans of Theological and Philosophical Centers, replacing the Theological Cooperation Working Group.
31 July
Magis Asia Pacific holds its first online Magis Circle meeting. Read more
24-28 August
Jesuits and collaborators in social ministry gather over Zoom for conversations on the Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAP) in a time of pandemic and beyond. Read more
1 September
Fr Tong Chak-long Stephen and Sally Law are appointed Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator of the JCAP Ignatian Spirituality Network.
4 September
Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ appoints Fr Dominic Quyen Vu SJ as the next Provincial of the Australian Province beginning 1 January 2021. Read more
25 September
The Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat holds a global prayer vigil for the Season of Creation. Read more
3 October
Assisi
Pope Francis signs his third encyclical “Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship” on the feast of St Francis of Assisi. Read more
7 October
Yangon
Myanmar Leadership Institute announces new journal to promote reflection and critical thinking in leadership and management. Read more
8 October
Indian Jesuit and indigenous rights defender Fr Stan Swamy SJ is arrested under false charges in Ranchi and subsequently jailed in Taloja near Mumbai. JCAP shows support for Fr Swamy and the Jesuit Conference of South Asia. Read more
20 October – 10 November
The East Asian Pastoral Institute holds its first online course on “The Church in Times of Covid: Discerning Pastoral Responses for a New World”. Read more
22 October
Pope Francis appoints Fr In-gun Kang SJ, Coordinator for Buddhist Studies and Dialogue, as one of the consultors of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Read more
24 November
The River Above Asia and Oceania Ecclesial Network (RAOEN) is launched online, uniting the energies, hopes, and dreams of people from Asia and Oceania with those of ecclesial networks across the world promoting integral ecology. Read more
10 December
Fr General Arturo Sosa appoints Spanish Jesuit Fr Miguel Garaizábal Fontenla SJ as the new Superior of the Thai Jesuit Region. Read more