Reflections on Christmas Island
15 Dec 2011

Reflections on Christmas Island

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

At the age of 70, when most people are retired or taking it easy, Australian Jesuit Celso Romanin SJ responded to an urgent call from Jesuit Refugee Service Australia for a priest to provide pastoral care to the detainees on Christmas Island.  He had eight years of experience with refugees in Australia, Asia and Africa, yet the prospect of going to Christmas Island at his age was daunting.  But he put his reservations before the Lord and ended up spending October with the detainees on Christmas Island. 

A rich blend
15 Dec 2011

A rich blend

by | posted in: Education, Social Justice | 0

Ignite café, Jesuit Social Services’ new hospitality training space, officially opened on November 19 with a full house gathered for this and the formal launch of the Mount Druitt Hub community space.  The guests included Tony Burke, the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Water, Population and Communities; the Member of Parliament for Chifley, Ed Husic; and Blacktown Mayor Alan Pendleton.

Prison Ministry perseveres as prisons flood
15 Dec 2011

Prison Ministry perseveres as prisons flood

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

At the height of the floods in Thailand in October and November, the Jesuit Foundation Prison Ministry continued to reach out to the many prisoners it has befriended in the country’s overcrowded prisons.   Vilaiwan Phokthavi, Director, Jesuit Prison Ministry tells us how the floods affected prisoners in three prisons.

Balancing environment and economics
14 Dec 2011

Balancing environment and economics

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

The Philippines island of Mindanao will soon launch a major island-wide undertaking that shall focus on ensuring integration of Mindanao’s economy and environment to achieve sustainable development. Jesuit research institute Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) is a partner agency and one of only two non-governmental groups working with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) on this flagship programme.

Youth learn to grow crops sustainably
14 Dec 2011

Youth learn to grow crops sustainably

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

Abaca, coffee and rubber are three very different crops that can make a difference to the indigenous communities in Mindanao – both economically and socially.

In October, 30 youth from Upper Pulangi, Bukidnon in northern Mindanao spent 10 days learning about these crops, how to produce them and how to do so with a sense of environmental stewardship.  Jesuit research institute Environmental Science for Social Change (ESSC) conducted the training, in partnership with the Malaybalay City Agriculture Office and the Fibre Industry Development Authority. 

Flood misery continues across Southeast Asia
22 Nov 2011

Flood misery continues across Southeast Asia

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

An estimated 20 million people across Southeast Asia have been affected by flooding since June. Most are in Thailand, but typhoons struck the Philippines in October, and Laos was hit by cyclones in July and August.  About 1.8 million people in Cambodia and Vietnam are also suffering from the worst flooding in a decade.  Myanmar also is experiencing flooding, though the extent is unclear because little information has been released from the country. Local media there reported some 30,000 people were hit by flash floods last month that killed more than 160.

In Cambodia, floods have scattered the hope of the people
22 Nov 2011

In Cambodia, floods have scattered the hope of the people

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

As the floodwaters in Cambodia recede, the work of recovery and reconstruction begins. Fr Greg Priyadi SJ, Director of Jesuit Service Cambodia, reflects on the damage caused of by worst floods the country has experienced in years and the tough times faced by the people who have lost their homes, their harvest and their livelihoods.

New JRS Asia Pacific director
22 Nov 2011

New JRS Asia Pacific director

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

Fr Bambang Sipayung SJ has been appointed Regional Director of Jesuit Refugee Service-Asia Pacific.  His three-year term begins on June 1, 2012.

Fr Sipayung replaces Fr Bernard Arputhasamy SJ who has served the region with dedication and competence for nearly seven years.

In his letter of appointment, Father General Adolfo Nicolás said that Fr Sipayung’s rich field experience will be “a great asset to JRS”.