A Discussion with Denise Coghlan

Sister Denise reflects on her 20+ years working in Cambodia and how she is motivated by her faith and a sense of justice. She highlights the challenges facing people with disabilities, of post-conflict reconciliation, and rebuilding trust. She also discusses the legacy of the Khmer Rouge in relation to families and society in Cambodia today. Faith-inspired organizations are an important link between the policy and community levels. Sister Denise stresses that faith-inspired organizations must be experts in their field; faith alone is not always sufficient to make lasting contributions. Finally, she describes her international work on landmines and cluster bombs, which won her team a Nobel Peace prize.

Acting Superior for East Timor Region

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A dinner was wonderfully prepared by Fr Roy Ragas (PHI) last February 21 in Dili. The region of East Timor had two reasons to celebrate. First was to welcome Fr Mark Raper who just arrived that afternoon. Second, February 21 marked his 50th year in the Society; the Region felt honored that Fr Mark chose to be with them on that day.

Giving testimony to the power, beauty and joy of following Jesus

posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

Fr Franz Magnis-Suseno (IDO) was born as Count von Magnis in 1936 in Silesia, Germany. In 1955 he became a Jesuit priest and later went to Indonesia, where he still lives and works as a priest and university professor. In 1997 Father Magnis-Suseno, who studied theology, philosophy and politics and had by then obtained a doctorate in theology, took out citizenship in his adopted country and chose the additional Javanese name of Suseno. In 2001 he was awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. He was interviewed in early January by representatives of the international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).

Superior for Myanmar Mission

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Fr. General has appointed the President of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, Fr. Mark Raper, Major Superior of the Mission of Myanmar, for a term of three years. Fr. General entrusts Fr. Mark with the specific mission of planning and implementing apostolic and governance arrangements for Myanmar, in addition to the other concerns of a major superior. Fr. Mark assumed office January 24.

The Pope appoints his “representative” for Vietnam

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 Vatican City (AsiaNews, 13 January 2011) A significant step forward in relations between the Vatican and Vietnam. As Benedict XVI had previously announced in a speech on Jan. 10 to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, as of today there is a “papal representative” for Vietnam. Mgr. Leopoldo Girelli, until now apostolic nuncio to Indonesia, was appointed today “apostolic nuncio to Singapore, Apostolic Delegate to Malaysia and Brunei, and non-resident papal representative to Vietnam.”

Rethinking Effective Approaches in Church’s Evangelizing Mission in Asia

This is an article written by Fr Jojo Fung (MAS) for a book publication by Penerbit Ledalero (Ledalero Publishing House) at the STFK (Catholic Institute of Philosophy and Theology) in Ledalero, where John Prior SVD, a well known Asian theologian, has been lecturing for more than 25 years. The book is in honor of John’s 65th birthday in gratitude for his dedication to academic progress, in particular in Ledalero, and as a contribution of STFK Ledalero towards the development of contextual theology in Indonesia.

Diakonia now available online

posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

With rising distribution cost, Jesuit Refugee Service-Asia Pacific has decided to make their magazine, Diakonia, be available online only. If you would like to receive a copy of Diakonia electronically, please email diakonia@jrs.or.th. The last printed copy of the magazine can be downloaded using the link below.

What I have learned in 34 years

posted in: Social Justice | 0

Fr Jorge Anzorena (JPN) spoke at the ACHR Regional Meeting in Bangkok last January 27. Mr Denis Murphy introduced him, saying “This amazing person is Argentinian by birth, entered the Jesuit order and became a priest when he was in his early thirties. . . . If you ever hire someone, you should look for someone like Fr Jorge.” The transcript of Fr Jorge’s talk began as follows, “There are one billion slum dwellers in the world, and 600 million of them are in Asia. This is the situation that has moved many people to do something – activists, professionals, community leaders, architects, planners.

Building companionship and dialogue

posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

Sch Ladislas Nsengiyumva (CHN) joined the Scholastics and Brothers-in-Formation Assembly in December 20, 2010 – January 2, 2011. It was centered on the theme of Interreligious Dialogue. Bro Ladi wrote, “We started from sharing in groups about our personal experiences with Islam in our own countries followed by a three day live-in experience with Muslim youths in Pesantrens (Schools teaching Islamic Studies). This combination of sharing and experience led me to realize how little and often distorted was my knowledge about Islam. I personally knew that there were two categories of Muslims – moderate and radical Muslims – but I had never had the opportunity to sit together with any of these two groups. This time, I had the chance not only to share meals with the moderate Muslims, but also to pray together in their Mosque. It was for me an eye opening and heartwarming experience.”