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.

Putting mercy in motion
16 Dec 2015

Putting mercy in motion

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

On December 8, as a concrete sign of commitment to the Jubilee Year of Mercy, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) launched the “Mercy in Motion” advocacy and fundraising campaign to expand and strengthen their education programmes. JRS’ goal is to provide educational services to 100,000 more refugees than they currently serve by the year 2020.

Mercy in Motion reflects the words of Pope Francis: “mercy is not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality… We are called to look beyond, to focus on the heart to see how much generosity everyone is capable of.”

Pope Francis supports global education initiative for refugee children and youth
23 Nov 2015

Pope Francis supports global education initiative for refugee children and youth

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

In a private audience with 15 refugees and friends and staff of Jesuit Refugee Service to commemorate the 35th anniversary of JRS on November 14, Pope Francis emphasised the importance of education for refugee children and youth as a means to build peace and foster the development of more resilient and cohesive societies. 

Top European Jesuits call for solidarity with refugees
24 Oct 2015

Top European Jesuits call for solidarity with refugees

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

Brussels, 19 October 2015 – Hospitality and generosity should be at the centre of our response to the increased arrivals of refugees in Europe, say a group of leading European Jesuits in a statement released today. The statement acknowledges work done over past decades with refugee and migrant communities by Jesuits and those working with them and calls for renewed energy and vision in building active solidarity and hospitality with forced migrants.

JRS urges Australia to increase humanitarian intake
20 Sep 2015

JRS urges Australia to increase humanitarian intake

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

The impact of the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe has jolted Australia into realising that it needs to respond more urgently and generously to the humanitarian disaster caused by the Syrian conflict. Jesuit Refugee Service Australia (JRS) welcomed on September 8 the Australian government’s determination to provide further assistance to those fleeing conflict in the Middle East.

JRS urged the government to increase immediately the current annual humanitarian intake from 13,750 to at least double that, given the scale of the current crisis.

Hospitality and solidarity needed in addressing Rohingya
27 May 2015

Hospitality and solidarity needed in addressing Rohingya

by | posted in: Migration, Social Justice | 0

On May 19, Jesuit Refugee Service Asia Pacific issued a statement calling for Southeast Asian nations and the global community to respond to the suffering of the Rohingya people who have been fleeing Myanmar in unprecedented numbers in recent weeks. Thousands did so by boat and were stranded at sea after being turned away by Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Kidnapped Jesuit released by Taliban
23 Feb 2015

Kidnapped Jesuit released by Taliban

by | posted in: Beyond JCAP, Migration | 0

Indian Jesuit Fr Alexis Prem Kumar SJ has been released by the Taliban after eight months in captivity. Fr Prem had worked for three years as Afghanistan country director for Jesuit Refugee Service in Herat province when he was abducted by gunmen in June last year.