Jesuits and lay people working in Ignatian Spirituality ministries have begun efforts to increase collaboration across the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP), following a meeting at the Canisius Centre of Ignatian Spirituality in Sydney last month.
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.
I remember my first visit to the Klong Prem Prison Hospital with Father Olivier in April 2009 (two months before I started full time Prison Ministry that June). We approached each prisoner patient and gave him a few things such as toiletry articles and cookies. I thought we were going too fast and wondered how we could do better.
We talk about creation and environment, in study we read about ecology as our Jesuit mission. We get to know about “ecology” but have no understanding with meaning necessary to connect to mission. For instance, we have lectures about keeping the environment green; in our mind we know it is important. In theory we know but cannot grasp its relevance – or our relevance – to broader society.
Our kind of understanding is superficial in that it remains as an idea. This Wonosobo experience to be with people on the land builds a new perspective of what ecology means as creation where we are present.
Fr Jojo Fung (MAS), Coordinator of Jesuit Companions in Indigenous Ministry (JCIM) of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, writes on the gathering of Jesuits and youth leaders of indigenous peoples.
| Oct 21 – 23 | JCAP Extended Consult, Quezon City, Philippines | |||||||||
| Nov 14 | Arrupe International Residence 20th Anniversary | |||||||||
| Nov 15 – 17 | Meeting of Theological Cooperation Working Group, Quezon City, Philippines | |||||||||
JCAP President’s Schedule for October – December 2010
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