A network on migration has been formed within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, comprising Jesuit institutions working on the issue – Tokyo Migrant Desk in Japan, Yiutsari in Korea, Rerum Novarum Centre in Taiwan, UGAT Foundation in the Philippines, Sahabat Insan in Indonesia, JRS Asia Pacific, and Jesuit Social Services Australia.
Fr Thomas B Steinbugler SJ died at about 9:30 am on June 10 in the Jesuit Residence in the Ateneo de Manila University. He had been suffering from severe pulmonary weakness for some time. Fr Tom was born on Dec 27, 1929, entered the Society on July 30, 1948, and was ordained a priest on June 17, 1961.
Father Adolfo Nicolás SJ, who has been Superior General of the Jesuits (the Society of Jesus) since 2008, has announced his intention to resign. Having recently reached the age of 78, Fr Nicolás says he has received the approval of his advisers and has informed Pope Francis that he intends to convoke a General Congregation for the latter part of 2016, during which he will formally submit his resignation and his successor will be elected.
In the mathematics of synergy, 1 plus 1 does not equal 2, but 3 or more. The sum total of the experience and practical know-how of the group is greater than just the added up experience and contributions of the individuals. This was the case at the recent Development Officers meeting, which brought together representatives from Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, Japan, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, Timor Leste, and Australia with Karen Goh from JCAP and Fr Jorge Serrano SJ from the Curia in Rome joining as resource persons.
The Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr Adolfo Nicolás, has appointed Fr Petrus Sunu Hardiyanta to succeed Fr R B Riyo Mursanto as Provincial of the Indonesian Province of the Society of Jesus.
Fr Sunu is finishing his doctoral studies in System Ecology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he did his Master’s degree in 2007. His thesis dissertation is on the Mangrove Ecosystem under the Netherland Fellowship Programme.
The Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr Adolfo Nicolás, has appointed Fr Brian McCoy to succeed Fr Steve Curtin as Provincial Superior of the Australian Province of the Society of Jesus.
As I prepared to write this Christmas greeting, our fifth floor of the East Asian Pastoral Institute where I live in Manila began to rock and sway. The tremor lasted seconds, but it was enough to remind me that the Philippines not only receives 10 to 20 tropical storms a year, but also lies on the “Ring of Fire”, the Pacific Ocean’s volcano and earthquake belt. This year, the Filipino people have once again experienced more than their share of earthquakes and typhoons.
The Philippine Jesuits are joining forces with massive relief efforts to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan (local name Yolanda), the most powerful typhoon ever recorded in the Philippines. The scale of desperation and devastation is immense.
A team from the Jesuit social arm, Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (Church in service of the Nation – SLB) sails today on a navy boat for the devastated areas of Leyte and Samar together with a Caritas Manila team and many supplies.
With a Pope whose language and behaviour so closely reflect his Jesuit identity, the Society of Jesus is enjoying a period of encouragement in its mission. Pope Francis models a discerning, compassionate, pastoral approach for the Church. Each day he surprises us, yet his initiatives make sense to many people, whether believers or not, whether Christians or not.
SALVADOR, Brazil (CNS) — Using the example of a big-hearted giraffe, the superior general of the Jesuits, Father Adolfo Nicolas, told 2,000 World Youth Day pilgrims: “Keep your eyes and your hearts open.”
The young people from around the world — mostly students from Jesuit universities — had gathered in Salvador on July 12 for a 10-day, pre-World Youth Day programme known as Magis, which means “the more” in Latin. The programme is designed for the young people to examine their lives to see how they can do more for Christ and for others.