A project mapping the involvement of Jesuits in social ministries across Asia has highlighted the need for a renewed focus on social justice within the Society’s mission and activities.
The results of the social mapping project were presented at the meeting. One of the findings that emerged from the survey was that only a small number of Jesuits is engaged in full-time social ministries, and that these often experience a sense of isolation and lack of support. Just 30 of the 1680 Jesuits in the Asia-Pacific region are engaged full-time in social ministries, although many more are integrating social outreach into their other ministry work.
Lay involvement has given Jesuit ministries a vibrant, well trained and dynamic workforce. But while 20 per cent of Jesuit social ministries are now headed by lay leaders, the report found a continuing need for Jesuit involvement in these ministries.
‘Many of the lay leaders are asking for more meaningful Jesuit involvement, pointing out that collaboration should not be seen as merely appointing a lay person to head a ministry and then leaving him or her alone to run it’, the report says.
The survey also found that many current efforts in the social ministries sector are characterised by a piece-meal approach, and noted a lack of connection between the social and other apostolates. It also found that younger Jesuits in the social apostolate needed space to find new paradigms for working.
‘A number have inherited existing ministries pioneered by their predecessors. Yet the local and regional contexts have changed’, the report notes. ‘The younger generation of Jesuits will respond to encouragement and flexibility. They are called to boldly redefine the way ahead.’
One of the key recommendations of the report was to identify two specific apostolic frontiers for collaboration between Provinces: migration, and care for the environment and natural resources. The meeting explored the issue of migration, in particular in relation to migrant workers.
Presenters included JCAP President Fr Mark Raper, Fr Fernando Franco and Fr Graziano. With a mobile workforce across the region, and with migrant workers forming marginalised communities in many Asian countries, it is an issue that requires collaboration between countries.
The conference participants called for the establishment of a Conference migration desk with full-time personnel, to help minister to migrant workers, provide research and formation for work in migration, undertake advocacy work at the local and international level, and increase awareness of migrants among Jesuits and companions in the Church.