SLB renews commitment to a faith that does justice
24 Mar 2015

SLB renews commitment to a faith that does justice

by | posted in: Province News, Social Justice | 0

Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), the social justice arm of the Philippine Jesuit Province marked 29 years of service to the Church and the Filipino nation recently with a week-long celebration themed “Renewing a Faith that does Justice”. 

Over the years, SLB has evolved and developed programs in response to the needs of Philippine society, and the celebration from February 21 to March 1 was an opportunity to showcase current programs and introduce new ones.

Kidnapped Jesuit released by Taliban
23 Feb 2015

Kidnapped Jesuit released by Taliban

by | posted in: Beyond JCAP, Migration | 0

Indian Jesuit Fr Alexis Prem Kumar SJ has been released by the Taliban after eight months in captivity. Fr Prem had worked for three years as Afghanistan country director for Jesuit Refugee Service in Herat province when he was abducted by gunmen in June last year. 

Strengthening disaster preparedness and evacuation strategies in Payatas
23 Feb 2015

Strengthening disaster preparedness and evacuation strategies in Payatas

by | posted in: Reconciliation with Creation | 0

There is an increasing focus on disaster preparedness in the Philippines, although this is happening at different levels. The general public is learning how to use the available technologies for monitoring hazards and to understand the language used. Many communities are also focused on evacuation strategies and on identifying safe centres that can be used in the event of a disaster.

A Lenten proposal from Cambodia
23 Feb 2015

A Lenten proposal from Cambodia

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

The Jesuits in Cambodia have proposed a fast from pollution this Lent. Why pollution? Their response is that “Pollution weakens our bodies and makes us vulnerable to many diseases such as diarrhoea, chest infections, cancers, respiratory and heart diseases. And the people most likely to be affected first are the poor, due to their already limited access to clean water, clean food and clean air. The poor suffer first.”

In support of this, they provide the following facts:

Providing much needed support for asylum seekers
27 Jan 2015

Providing much needed support for asylum seekers

by | posted in: Migration, Province News, Social Justice | 0

Jesuit Refugee Service Australia has opened a new drop-in centre to address a lack of asylum seeker services in Western Sydney. The project is the result of a needs assessment undertaken by JRS in 2014, which found that the region is home to New South Wales’ second-largest group of asylum seekers arriving by boat and living on bridging visas.

Prayers for peace for Jeju Island
25 Jan 2015

Prayers for peace for Jeju Island

by | posted in: Social Justice | 0

Resistance to the construction of a naval base at Gangjeong on Jeju Island, South Korea continues although the base is already under construction.  The Jeju Volcanic Island and  Lava Tubes are a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The most recent significant effort was the Gangjeong Peace Conference and Peace Festival organized by the Jesuit Research Centre for Advocacy and Solidarity (JAS) at the Seoguipo Catholic Parish and Gangjeong Villag