AUSTRALIA: Awards for Collaborators

 

Nearly 230 people from Jesuit works across Australia came together for the Province Gathering on the 3rd and 4th July at St. Ignatius College in Sydney. It was the first Gathering with the new Provincial, Father Steve Curtin. The theme “A heart for mission” focused on what inspires and sustains people in their mission and work. The personal stories of some participants highlighted the various ways that the mission is viewed and energized in the Province’s works. A session focused on mission formation and ways to ensure that people from the Province’s various ministries understand the broader story of the Australian Jesuits. Father Mark Raper, actually President of the Jesuits Conference of East Asia and Oceania, said that the three actual priorities in the Assistancy are the formation of young Jesuits, supporting Cambodia, Myanmar and East Timor, and promoting cooperation internationally. The meeting was also the occasion for recognizing with the Companions Medal Awards five people for making a significant contribution to the work of the Australian Province. This year awardees were one sister religious and four lay collaborators, three men and a woman. The Companions Medal was created two years ago during the Jubilee Year.

 

BURUNDI: International Congress of Jesuit Alumni/ae

 

The 7th Congress of the World Union of Jesuits Alumni/ae will be held in Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, in the heart of Africa from 22 – 27 July. Participants will come from all over the world. The choice of Africa, and especially Burundi, for this occasion is full of significance, especially given the political turmoil in the country, widespread malnutrition and the AIDS pandemic suffered there. The Society of Jesus has a long tradition in Africa, especially in the field of education. The tradition of the old Collège Saint-Esprit continues today with the Lycée Saint-Esprit serving nearly 900 boys and girls. The theme of the Congress embodies a program in itself: For a better Africa: What have we done, What are we doing, What must we do? The event will be preceded by a week long program of “spiritual experiences” for young alumni/ae. These experiences will consist of activities in centers for vulnerable children (AIDS orphans) and visits to hospitals. The program will take place in Burundi and in the Bukavu Region in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

COLOMBIA: A Jesuit named Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference

 

Bishop Juan Vicente Córdoba, auxiliary bishop of Bucaramanga, is the new secretary general of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia, in place of Bishop Fabián Marulanda, who left the position after seven years of service. It is the first time a member of the Society of Jesus (though present in the country for more than 400 years) has been elected to this high post. Bishop Córdoba is 58 years, old, did graduate studies in bioethics, was ordained bishop five years ago by Pope John Paul II and is one of the youngest members of the ecclesiastical hierarchy of Colombia. He is the only Jesuit bishop of the country (in its entire history there have been only five!), and thanks to his formation he brings to this position an innovative spirit: “We have to give up the old image of a conservative Church” he said, “and think about new ways of evangelization as a humble, servant church.” Talking about the need to change the conception of morality, he continued, “We do not have to condemn the faithful, but we have to motivate them. We do not have to say to them do not do this or that, because it is a sin, and God will punish them, but we have to stimulate them to be at the service of others, to take care of their own person and environment.”

 

IVORY COAST: Inauguration of a Health Centre

 

On the 13th of June, a new Health Centre was inaugurated in Niamkey Konanko, Ivory Coast. Father Umberto Libralato, vice-president of Magis, the non-governmental organization of the Italian Jesuits, Tomaso Spingardi, member of the board of directors of Magis, and Antonio Rampinini were present at the ceremony as well as local authorities and many others both, young and old. All were there to celebrate this important event for so many local communities. The center was dedicated to the memory of the mother of one of the benefactors and a plaque with her name was placed at the entrance. The inscription reads: “En memoire de Giovanna Ponza par ses enfants qui ont perdu trop tôt son amour et ses soins” (“In memory of Giovanna Ponza from her children who lost her love and care too early”). The Centre was an idea born in 2001 and its realization has been possible thanks to the help of many benefactors, the work of Magis and the Sisters Filles de Saint Camille. The Niamkey Konanko dispensary serves a large region of 30 square km, home to nearly 25.000 people. Each month over 1.000 come for help. The most common diseases are Bouruli ulcer and malaria. Many of these diseases are curable if treated in time; the real secret, of course, is prevention. In addition to treating diseases, the dispensary will, as far as it is possible, to diagnose them at an early stage of development.

 

HONDURAS: Jesuits Caught in the Political Earthquake

 

The political turmoil that erupted on the 28th of June in an already earthquake devastated Honduras touched the Jesuits in Progresso. On that day, the president of the country, Manuel Zalaya Rosales, was removed from office and at 10:30 a.m. Radio Progresso, run by the Jesuits was invaded and silenced by a group of 25 soldiers. Father Ishmael Moreno, director of the radio station wrote, “While the soldiers were inside our workrooms, a large group of people besieged our offices and wanted to enter to defend the Radio and the staff. Thanks to numerous mediations we avoided any incidents that could have resulted in violence.” The next morning the soldiers left and the station resumed its broadcasts knowing that it could again be silenced. Radio Progresso is in contact116 radio stations throughout the country in order to follow events as they happen. During the 1970’s, Radio Progresso was the symbol of resistance against Central America military dictatorships.

 

RUSSIA: Vocations in Kazakhstan

 

Vocations to religious and priestly life is one of the signs of life in the Kazakhstan Mission; ten or more men and women have entered religious life or seminaries. Three sisters from the Pavlodar region made their solemn religious profession on the 7th of June during a ceremony attended by many parishioners and celebrated by Father Ryszard Matejuk. Two colleagues of the Jesuits in Kazakhstan are Sisters Theresa and Mariana. They prepare people for the reception of the sacraments and do so in a variety of settings: private homes, churches and pubic gathering spaces. After evening Mass, they will gather people for a cup of tea and share fellowship. All are welcome including parishioners, casual visitors, children and those looking for something to do.

 

SPAIN: Eurojess Congress in Granada

 

“Muslim populations in European Societies” will be the title of Eurojess 2009 meeting, that will be held in Granada from the 25th to the 29th of August. The meeting is one of the initiatives of the Society of Jesus in Europe in order to address the challenges linked to the growing number of Muslims on the continent; it is organized by Jesuits experts in Social Sciences (Eurojess). After some necessary preparation so as to better understand the Muslim reality in Europe, time will be given to deepen ideas regarding integration at the local and national level. Finally, the participants will try to identify some action steps for Jesuit institutions in light of promoting justice and dialogue.