Where the Church can serve in Myanmar
17 Jul 2012

Where the Church can serve in Myanmar

by | posted in: Education, Interreligious Dialogue, Migration, Social Justice | 0

Myanmar is at a crossroads; an exciting point in its history as a nation. One of the poorest, most ethnically diverse and conflict-prone societies in Southeast Asia, Myanmar is now emerging from decades of isolation. Changes are afoot, as the release, election to parliament and recent travel abroad of Aung San Suu Kyi demonstrate.  A parliament is in place; interim elections passed without major offences. Many political prisoners have been released.  The demands to halt construction of the Irrawaddy Dam project appear to have been heeded. 

JCAP releases report for 2012
26 Jun 2012

JCAP releases report for 2012

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

The Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific has produced a modest 16-page annual report, simply titled “Jesuits in Asia Pacific 2012”. 

A simple man
23 Jun 2012

A simple man

by | posted in: Education | 0

Fr Pierre Ceyrac SJ died in Chennai late last month at the age of 98. He was one of the most remarkable Jesuits I have met. Several entries in Wikipedia refer to him, always as ‘the famous Pierre Ceyrac’. This epithet usually designates someone with a well-crafted public personality. Pierre was different. He was so totally transparent that he invited everyone he met into his inner self. That is why he became so widely known and loved.

Exploring and experiencing Buddhism
23 Jun 2012

Exploring and experiencing Buddhism

by | posted in: Interreligious Dialogue | 0

Sixteen Jesuits participated in the East Asian Theological Encounter Programme (EATEP) held at the Seven Fountains Spirituality Centre in Chiangmai, Thailand from April 16 to May 13, 2012.  A programme of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific, EATEP provides transformational opportunities for Jesuits to deepen their dialogue with people of different faiths and to enrich their perspectives on theology in Asia.  

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.

Having a universal perspective
23 May 2012

Having a universal perspective

by | posted in: International Works, Spirituality | 0

We continue the series of reflections by Jesuit formands on the six interrelated dynamics described in “A Profile of a Formed Jesuit for Asia Pacific” as having the potential to form a Jesuit as a contemplative in action.  Fr Jody Magtoto SJ of the Philippine Province wrote this reflection on the dynamic of universal perspective shortly before he was ordained on April 14.

 

Upgrading Asian theological formation
23 May 2012

Upgrading Asian theological formation

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A Theological Cooperation Working Group has been formed to review Jesuit theological formation in Asia Pacific and develop realistic ideas to upgrade the quality of theology taught to scholastics in this part of the world. 

The group of 12 Jesuits actively involved in theological formation met with JCAP President Fr Mark Raper SJ from April 17 to 19, and will henceforth meet once a year. It was agreed that members are to be specifically delegated by their major superior and are expected to be deans of theological schools empowered to take and implement decisions.