Fr General calls for societies to welcome migrants and refugees
19 Jan 2017

Fr General calls for societies to welcome migrants and refugees

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

On January 13, Father Arturo Sosa SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, joined the community of Centro Astalli (Jesuit Refugee Service Italy) in commemorating the International Day for Migrants and Refugees at the Church of Gesù, the Mother Church of the Society in Rome.

“This moment presents an important invitation to the Society of Jesus to accompany, with its few resources, and to share in the anxieties and hopes of the refugees here in Italy and everywhere in the world,” said Fr Sosa at the event.

Reuniting families separated by detention
4 Oct 2016

Reuniting families separated by detention

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

Seeing divided families is a painful sight and this is often the case in immigration detention centres where women and men are held in separate detention cells. For 25 years, the Jesuits have been working closely with the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) in Bangkok to facilitate the release of detainees and help them return to a life of dignity and freedom with their families. Two years ago, Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific handed over responsibility for this work to the Jesuit Foundation – Prison Ministry Thailand.

An urgent call to stop the use of cluster munitions
2 Sep 2016

An urgent call to stop the use of cluster munitions

by | posted in: Province News, Social Justice | 0

“It is outrageous that new cluster munitions are still killing people in Syria and Yemen in 2016 and causing so many new refugees,” said Sr Denise Coghlan RSM, Director of Jesuit Refugee Service Cambodia.

The Cluster Munitions Monitor for 2016 released on September 1 documented this use and also the progress being made in stockpile destruction, clearance and assistance to enhance the quality of life of the survivors.

Opening our minds to unlock our potential as a society
22 Jun 2016

Opening our minds to unlock our potential as a society

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

This World Refugee Day, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has called for everyone to embrace refugees as part of their communities by providing them with opportunities to grow and contribute to society. This means not only giving them a safe place to stay but also ensuring that they are protected from all forms of evil, including poverty, isolation, exploitation, misconception and neglect.

Standing in solidarity #WithRefugees
14 Jun 2016

Standing in solidarity #WithRefugees

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

Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Indonesia has launched a social media campaign ahead of the celebration of World Refugee Day on Monday, June 20.

The initiative seeks to gather messages of support by asking people on Facebook to post a photo of themselves alone or with friends holding a personal statement of encouragement for people who have been displaced because of war, natural disaster or prejudice and oppression in their home countries.

I Get You
26 Apr 2016

I Get You

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

Jesuit Refugee Service Europe has launched a campaign called “I Get You” to map, network and strengthen local initiatives of refugee welcome in Europe.

Across Europe, citizens have opened their doors to people in search of safety – migrants and refugees – sharing meals, learning languages and simply being together.  The goal of I Get You is to identify and bring together community building initiatives for local citizens and refugees in nine European countries.

Advocating for migrants in the US as Pope visits Mexico-US border
26 Feb 2016

Advocating for migrants in the US as Pope visits Mexico-US border

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

During Pope Francis’ visit to Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican city on the border with the United States, thousands affiliated with Jesuit institutions across the United States echoed his call for a compassionate response toward migrants by holding masses, erecting “mock border walls”, and signing a letter to members of Congress.

Boston College, Creighton University, and Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, California were among a number of schools, parishes, and other ministries that held masses in a display of solidarity with Pope Francis’ mass at Benito Juarez Stadium on February 17.

To hear, understand, and accept refugees
26 Feb 2016

To hear, understand, and accept refugees

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

On January 21, more than 170 Montagnards (Degar Christians) were granted the chance to a fair asylum process by the Cambodian government. They had fled to Cambodia from religious persecution in Vietnam in late 2014 and 2015. Many had endured imprisonment, torture, harassment and violations of their land rights.

This government decision was welcomed by the Jesuit Refugee Service, which has been accompanying the Montagnards since they arrived in Cambodia.