Three weeks after Typhoon Haiyan (“Yolanda” in the Philippines) wreaked widespread devastation on the Philippines, the survivors are slowly beginning to pick up the pieces.
The official death toll of 5,500 as of November 27 makes the typhoon the deadliest storm in the country’s history – and the number of dead is expected to increase.
The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific has published an environmental report that presents a brief overview of key environmental concerns, advocacy initiatives, events, policies and discoveries in Asia Pacific. Titled “Environment Outlook 2013”, the report is based on the responses of Jesuits and collaborators in reconciling with creation, as seen in visits and levels of engagement with Jesuit provinces, institutes and schools in this part of the world in the last months.
The Philippine Jesuits have been walking in solidarity with some 3,000 families whose lands and livelihoods are threatened by the construction of a special economic zone in the Aurora province of the Philippines.
A Jesuit based in China has written a book aimed at helping companies to review and better exercise their corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the Chinese context. Fr Benoit Vermander SJ’s latest book, Corporate Social Responsibility in China, is a practical, business-oriented book that takes into account China’s classical and contemporary thought on CSR. It is the result of a research and collaborative process initiated and led by Maverlinn, from 2011 on, and supported by industry leaders.
Fr Leslie Raj SJ and a team of four in Singapore have began forum@KINGSMEAD, a series of seminars that they hope will encourage academics, professionals and leaders, especially those who collaborate in Jesuit ministries, to gather for reflection and dialogue in the Ignatian tradition.
A call has gone out for donations for the relief efforts for survivors of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck in Central Visayas earlier this month, affecting more than 3 million people. The refrain, “Tabang Visayas” (Help Visayas), is being used by Jesuit work Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB) and Ateneo de Cebu as they work together to respond to cries for assistance from the affected communities in Bohol. Donations will be used to provide for the immediate needs of the least and unreachable communities in the province of Bohol.
Fr Peter Hosking SJ reflects on his recent journey to Japan accompanying the St Aloysius’s College study tour and the life long impact the peace museums in Hiroshima and Nagasaki had on him, the students and chaperones alike.
In mid-October, 35 Year 9 and 10 students returned from the Japanese study tour. One of the most moving parts of our journey for me was our visits to the peace museums at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, dedicated to the victims and survivors of the atom bomb.
The Jesuit Provincials of Europe and the Middle East, together with the Provincials of Africa-Madagascar, issued a statement on migration and asylum on October 25, 2013. That same day, the Provincials of Europe and Middle East also issued a declaration on Syria.
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Jesuit journals around the world have published an exclusive interview with Pope Francis. The interview was conducted by Fr Antonio Spadaro SJ, editor in chief of La Civiltà Cattolica, the Italian Jesuit journal, over the course of three meetings held in August 2013 in Rome. His questions were consolidated from those sent by several major Jesuit journals including La Civiltà Cattolica, Thinking Faith and America.