Being open to dialogue, to change, to transformation
28 May 2015

Being open to dialogue, to change, to transformation

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

Sri Lankan Jesuit Scholastic Anthony Prathap Raj participated in the recently concluded Asia Pacific Theological Encounter Programme in Indonesia. Now back in the Philippines where he is studying theology at the Loyola School of Theology, he shared this reflection of his one-month immersion experience of Islam with us.

As a Jesuit scholastic rooted in Ignatian Spirituality, I went to Indonesia ready to see God in every encounter I had with our Muslim brethren, and open for change and transformation.

Committing to the rebuilding of Nepal
27 May 2015

Committing to the rebuilding of Nepal

by | posted in: Beyond JCAP | 0

It has been a month since Nepal suffered the deadliest disaster in its history. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the Himalayan country on April 25, killing thousands and demolishing more than half a million homes, most of them in rural areas. A second major quake struck on May 12, just as the people were beginning to recover from the previous quake. According to the home ministry, the death toll from the two quakes stands at more than 8,500.

Hospitality and solidarity needed in addressing Rohingya
27 May 2015

Hospitality and solidarity needed in addressing Rohingya

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

On May 19, Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific issued a statement calling for Southeast Asian nations and the global community to respond to the suffering of the Rohingya people who have been fleeing Myanmar in unprecedented numbers in recent weeks. Thousands did so by boat and were stranded at sea after being turned away by Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Building a better migration network
27 May 2015

Building a better migration network

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

Visitors to Taiwan are greeted at the Taipei airport by signs welcoming migrant workers to the island country. The authorities provide a lot of information to migrant workers, on their rights as well as precaution measures in place, upon their arrival to the country, even before they meet their agencies or employers. In a country with 23 million people, the presence of more than half a million migrant workers is no small figure.

It was in this setting and context that this year’s Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific Migration Network meeting was held from April 21 to 23.

Respecting Indigenous Peoples and their beliefs
26 May 2015

Respecting Indigenous Peoples and their beliefs

by | posted in: Indigenous Ministry | 0

A new programme designed to foster understanding of Indigenous Peoples and their culture among Christian religious and laity was formally launched in April in the Philippines. The first Asia Pacific Contextual Theology Program for Engagement Project (ACOTEP) was held from April 6 to 20 in Bukidnon, after a pilot run in Bendum and Zamboanguita, Bukidnon last year.

The need for a compassionate refugee policy
24 May 2015

The need for a compassionate refugee policy

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

Two years after Pope Francis went to Lampedusa to demonstrate his solidarity with refugees and immigrants, the compassion he showed is needed. The recent pushback of Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshi immigrant workers by Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia has made it a call to the Jesuits of our region. Who can look unmoved into the eyes of the women, children, and men adrift on these boats as they are repelled by nation after nation?

Learning Asian theology through an experience of Buddhism
17 May 2015

Learning Asian theology through an experience of Buddhism

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

Jesuit scholastics are invited to join a four-week programme designed to guide them in examining issues of Asian theology, and understanding interreligious dialogue and the inculturation of the Catholic faith in Asia. They will do this through an intensive experience of Buddhism in the specific context of Thailand, which is predominantly Buddhist.

Now on its 10th year, the 2015 East Asia Theological Encounter Programme (EATEP) will be held from July 22 to August 17 at the Seven Fountains Spirituality Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Praying for Nepal and Micronesia
30 Apr 2015

Praying for Nepal and Micronesia

by | posted in: Reconciliation with Creation, Social Justice | 0

Dear friends,

These last weeks, we have seen and heard yet again of the destruction and devastation caused by natural disasters. Typhoon Maysak at the end of March caused severe damage throughout Micronesia, displacing thousands, ruining livelihoods and food supplies, and damaging infrastructure. And just days ago, on April 25, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake has caused widespread destruction in Nepal. 

A time of total and full integration
30 Apr 2015

A time of total and full integration

by | posted in: Formation | 0

Timorese Jesuit Fr Venancio Pereira recently completed his tertianship in Sri Lanka, and shares how his tertianship experience has made him a “professional Jesuit”.

First of all, I would like to thank Fr Mark Raper SJ, my superior for sending me to do my tertianship in Sri Lanka. It was a special grace that I received personally from the Lord, the owner of my vocation and life.