Advocating for migrants in the US as Pope visits Mexico-US border

During Pope Francis’ visit to Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican city on the border with the United States, thousands affiliated with Jesuit institutions across the United States echoed his call for a compassionate response toward migrants by holding masses, erecting “mock border walls”, and signing a letter to members of Congress.

Boston College, Creighton University, and Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, California were among a number of schools, parishes, and other ministries that held masses in a display of solidarity with Pope Francis’ mass at Benito Juarez Stadium on February 17.

First Fe y Alegría Congress in Africa

In January, the first Fe y Alegría Congress in Africa was held with more than 40 participants from Chad, Madagascar, Kenya, Togo, Central African Republic, Guinea Conakry, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Zambia, as well as from the Conference of the Jesuits of Africa and Madagascar, the International Federation of Fe y Alegría, Jesuit Refugee Service, Entreculturas-Fe y Alegría Spain, Alboan, Porticus, and Misereor.

To hear, understand, and accept refugees

On January 21, more than 170 Montagnards (Degar Christians) were granted the chance to a fair asylum process by the Cambodian government. They had fled to Cambodia from religious persecution in Vietnam in late 2014 and 2015. Many had endured imprisonment, torture, harassment and violations of their land rights.

This government decision was welcomed by the Jesuit Refugee Service, which has been accompanying the Montagnards since they arrived in Cambodia.

Buddhist-Christian dialogue and the sustainability of life

Sustainability is a hot word today among scientists, economists, politicians, religious leaders, and others especially concerned with humanitarian values. It has been linked to economics, ecology, social welfare, social justice, gender equality, financial security, conserving energy, eradicating poverty, and, of course, finding meaning in life.  And it is a topic of concern for the Jesuits engaged in dialogue with Buddhists.

Lessons from a silver jubilee

Are there lessons to be learnt from a silver jubilee?  In a typically Jesuit fashion, Fr Renato Repole SJ, Rector of the Arrupe International Residence (AIR), looked back on the recently concluded celebratory activities spread out over the last seven months, and asked himself, “What have we learned and gained from the whole experience? What did it mean for us at Arrupe?”

Set aflame by Magis

posted in: JCAP News | 0

Go, set the world on fire! On January 3, 70 young people, set out to do just that in their home countries – Cambodia, Korea, Myanmar, Macau, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Indonesia – after nine days spent in the first Magis JCAP, held at Omah Petroek in Kaliurang Yogyakarta. 

Converging to dialogue on sustainability of life

This August will see an estimated 100 Jesuits, collaborators and friends converging in Indonesia to reflect, discuss and explore actions on sustainability of life in the ASEAN context. The meeting will be the largest collaboration across sectors in the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific in recent years.

Nine new Jesuit priests in Vietnam

posted in: Formation | 0

The Society of Jesus in Vietnam celebrates nine new Jesuit priests. Fathers Joseph Mary Cao Gia An SJ, Dominic Vũ Duy Cường SJ, Francis Joseph Nguyễn Mai Kha SJ, Martin Nguyễn Đình Khải SJ, Peter Nguyễn Đình Khánh SJ, Joseph Bùi Quang Minh SJ, Michel Bùi Hà Ngân SJ, Joseph Vũ Uyên Thi SJ, and Thomas Vũ Ngọc Tín SJ were ordained to the priesthood on August 21, 2014.

Five new Jesuit priests in Korea

The Society of Jesus in Korea celebrates five new Jesuit priests.  Fathers Andrew Sung-gyoon Lee, Simon Mon-hoi Kim, Benedict On-dohk Kang, Thomas Min Han and Igwan Su-yun Park were ordained to the priesthood on July 2 at Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea. More than 1,500 people participated in the ordination mass concelebrated by Most Rev Peter Chung Soon-taek OCD, Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul, and 80 priests. 

Three new Jesuit priests in Vietnam

posted in: Formation | 0

The Vietnamese Province of the Society of Jesus has three new priests.  Thomas Aquinas Tạ Trung Hải SJ, Joseph Chu Thái Hiệp SJ, and Anthony Nguyễn Thành Nguyên SJ were ordained to the priesthood on August 22, 2013.  His Eminence Michael Hoàng Đức Oanh, Bishop of Kon Tum Diocese, presided at the celebration in Thuduc during which five Jesuit scholastics were also ordained deacon.  The new deacons are Dominic Vũ Duy Cường SJ, Joseph Bùi Quang Minh SJ, Mathiah Nguyễn Kim Đoàn SJ, Michael Bùi Hà Ngân SJ, Thomas Vũ Ngọc Tín SJ.