Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical
24 Jun 2015

Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical

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

Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment has won many hearts, not least because it combines concern for the environment and for social justice. The Pope writes with authority because of his experience with the poor in large Argentinian cities. There the poor, caught in a society marked by great extremes of wealth and poverty are forced to live in polluted and unhealthy conditions. He has also visited poor villages whose people are vulnerable to the extreme weather events resulting from global warming.

Praying for Nepal and Micronesia
30 Apr 2015

Praying for Nepal and Micronesia

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

Dear friends,

These last weeks, we have seen and heard yet again of the destruction and devastation caused by natural disasters. Typhoon Maysak at the end of March caused severe damage throughout Micronesia, displacing thousands, ruining livelihoods and food supplies, and damaging infrastructure. And just days ago, on April 25, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake has caused widespread destruction in Nepal. 

Jesuit schools in Micronesia damaged by Super Typhoon Maysak
10 Apr 2015

Jesuit schools in Micronesia damaged by Super Typhoon Maysak

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

With sustained winds of 160 mph, Super Typhoon Maysak struck the Pacific region just before Easter, causing severe damage throughout Micronesia. Maysak struck the island of Chuuk on March 29, bringing down communications system from the island, and hit the island of Yap on March 31. Jesuits from the USA Northeast Province, the Province of Indonesia, members of the Jesuit Volunteer Corp and residents of Micronesia staff the two schools that suffered losses.

Increasing collaboration on disaster risk reduction and management
25 Mar 2015

Increasing collaboration on disaster risk reduction and management

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

The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) is developing a protocol that outlines steps for Jesuits in responding to disasters in this part of the world. Responses to catastrophic events are collaborative in nature, joining local efforts and guiding important international support. This is an ongoing process with other organisations and there is much learning from the experiences of Jesuits on the ground. The effort is also to find ways to collaborate across different phases in disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) that demand a wider range of coordination beyond disaster.

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: