Burma has always been an exotic, isolated country. Over the centuries, the Jesuits have undertaken three distinct missions in Myanmar, as Burma is now known. The most recent mission, which is just over 20 years old, was given a boost … Continued
The charismatic Pedro Arrupe still has an important impact on the life of the Society of Jesus. Full of imagination and enthusiasm, with freedom, vision, and courage, he aroused, like any good leader, both devoted followers and resolute enemies. For … Continued
JCAP. More and more this acronym is used by Jesuits and collaborators in Asia Pacific and beyond. The change of name from Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania (JCEAO) shortly after General Congregation (GC) 35 in 2008 may have … Continued
After nine and a half years, Fr Mark Raper SJ stepped down as President of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) on November 22, handing over the leadership to Fr Antonio Moreno SJ in a simple ceremony consisting of … Continued
General Congregation 36 (GC 36) dominated Jesuit life during 2016. The theme, “Row into the deep”, was derived from a message of Pope Francis to the Society of Jesus in 2014, echoing Jesus’ call to his disciples to “put out into the deep”. In the Congregation logo, the IHS represents the Society’s boat in the Church; the waves are the troubled seas of our times into which Jesuits are invited to row with faith.
Fr General Arturo Sosa has appointed Fr Antonio F Moreno to succeed Fr Mark Raper as the next President of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific. Fr Moreno, who is currently Provincial of the Philippine Jesuit Province, will assume office within the next six months.
It has been almost a fortnight since General Congregation 36 finished on November 12 and three images remain with me.
“The Society of Jesus can develop only in collaboration with others: only if it becomes the least Society that collaborates. We want to collaborate generously with others, inside and outside of the Church, in the awareness, which comes from the experience of God, of being called to the mission of Christ Jesus.”
We celebrate on July 31 the feast of Ignatius Loyola, the founder and first Superior General of the Society of Jesus. His successor was elected at the first General Congregation that, delayed by a war, was held two years after his death, in 1558. In October this year, 220 electors will assemble in Rome for the 36th General Congregation, called to elect the 31st Superior General who will replace Fr General Adolfo Nicolás who, at 80 years of age, is seeking to resign.
“If I do not see him, I will not believe, said Thomas.” (John 20,25). Well said, Thomas. Seeing is believing. We can identify with Thomas.
Yet how is it that on entering an empty tomb, Peter and the disciple with him, the one Jesus loved, saw and believed? How can a tomb that is empty be a cause of belief? Can the absence of Jesus be a source of energy, joy and love?