Honoured for remaining with the oppressed
23 Jun 2012

Honoured for remaining with the oppressed

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

Portuguese Jesuit Father José Alves Martíns was one of six consecrated religious men awarded Timor Leste’s second highest medal by the newly sworn-in President, Taur Matan Ruak, on the occasion of 10th anniversary of the country’s restoration of independence on May 20, 2012.  The President conferred upon the religious the Medalha de Mérito de Dom Marito da Costa Lópes on May 22 in recognition of their contributions during the struggle and fight of the people of Timor Leste for independence during the 24 years of Indonesian occupation from 1975 to 1999.

Education initiatives, opportunities and challenges
23 Jun 2012

Education initiatives, opportunities and challenges

by | posted in: Education | 0

Education continues to be a priority for Jesuits in Asia Pacific, as the recent JCAP meeting of Province delegates for pre-secondary and secondary education revealed.  

Several new initiatives in education are underway or proposed within the Conference.

You are not forgotten
23 Jun 2012

You are not forgotten

by | posted in: Social Justice | 0

“You are not forgotten,” said Aung San Suu Kyi.  “Pass this message to those behind you and on to others.” Not permitted a microphone, the Burmese pro-democracy leader called out to the crowd of refugees and migrants at the border refugee encampment of Mae La in May on her first visit abroad in 24 years.  Her clear message of hope quickly reached the hundreds of thousands of Myanmar citizens, who had waited decades in squalid jungle camps along the length of the 1,300 km Thai-Myanmar border.

Raising consciousness through film
23 May 2012

Raising consciousness through film

by | posted in: Social Communications | 0

In a decade, Casa de Produção Audiovisual has built a reputation for producing good film and animation productions that tell stories of the people of Timor-Leste.  In recent years, it has begun producing films in conjunction with non-profit organisations and government departments to raise awareness of political and social issues in Timor-Leste.

Changing to best serve the universal mission
23 May 2012

Changing to best serve the universal mission

by | | 0

The Society is now at a new stage brought about by a couple of converging factors – the demographic realities and how we can best serve the universal mission today.

Our numbers have been in decline for the last 40 years – from over 30,000 in the 1960s to fewer than 18,000 today.  The steep declines in Europe and North America and consistent decline in Latin America have not been offset by the significant increase in South Asia and a small rise in Africa.  

The value of Jesuit education
23 Apr 2012

The value of Jesuit education

by | posted in: Education | 0

Scholastic Sidelizio Pereira SJ shares with us a reflection on his regency spent in his home country of Timor Leste.   Side did his regency in the Colégio de Saõ José, the secondary school set up and managed by the Jesuits for the diocese of Dili for 18 years. Although the school was transferred back to the diocese in December 2011, Side’s reflection on what is unique about Jesuit education is significant for Timor Leste as the Society intends to build an educational institution in the country for secondary level as well as the training of teachers.

CPA film in Prix Jeunesse Festival
22 Feb 2012

CPA film in Prix Jeunesse Festival

by | posted in: Social Communications | 0

A short film produced by Jesuit work Casa de Produção Audiovisual (CPA) in Timor Leste will be screened and catalogued by the 2012 Prix Jeunesse International.   The biennial festival that promotes excellence in children’s television will be held in Munich from June 1 to 6.

The film, The Youth Parliament, is part of Wisdom of the People, a weekly series CPA produces that is aired on the local television network. 

Promoting reconciliation with creation
16 Jan 2012

Promoting reconciliation with creation

by | posted in: Reconciliation with Creation | 0

How do we promote reconciliation with creation to our fellow Jesuits in Asia Pacific? With imaginative and powerful images as the members of the Scholastics and Brothers Circle showed in the innovative campaign materials they developed during a workshop on Effective Communications held from December 19 to 30, 2011.

Jesuits return school to Dili diocese
16 Jan 2012

Jesuits return school to Dili diocese

by | posted in: Education | 0

Jesuits serving in Timor Leste have returned a secondary school they set up and managed for 18 years to the diocese of Dili.   Colégio de São José was transferred on December 14 with a mass led by Vicar General Father Apolinario Aparicio Guterres.

During his homily, Fr Guterres thanked the Society for developing both the Church and the nation through the school and praised the Jesuits for teaching young people to be qualified and disciplined individuals. (Source: UCAN)