New name for JCEAO

A Report of the JCEAO meeting 16-19 July 2009

A new name for the conference; new statutes giving more authority; an international perspective on formation; and priority to sending resources to our frontiers, especially to the smaller regions, were topics considered at the recent JCEAO meeting in Klaten, Central Java, 16-19 July. The meeting opened with a sharing on the frontiers we face, geographical and spiritual. Time was given to the impact China is having on our region and to the various initiatives of the Society in relation to China. Despite the immensity and diversity of cultures and languages in our region which holds over one third of the world’s population but only one tenth of the Society’s number, the meeting reached consensus on many practical matters. 

Fr General Nicolás

Fr General Nicolás, himself a member of this conference for 10 years, first as a provincial then as president, accompanied the major superiors of the seven provinces (Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam/Laos) and six regions (Cambodia, East Timor, Malaysia/Singapore, Micronesia Myanmar, Thailand). The new Formation Delegate, Matthias Chae Joon-ho, and the Delegate for China, John Lee Hua, were present. Other guests included Fr Joe Daoust, Delegate for International Roman Houses. Fr Koichi Matsumoto, Rector of Arrupe International Residence came to report on AIR and for the discussion on formation.

Fr Nicolás commented on the frontiers faced by the universal Society and that we face in touching the soul of Asia. He informed us of the changing profile of candidates to the Society; of developments in studies and formation practices; the expectations other parts of the Society have of Asia Pacific Jesuits; and he commented on ecology; media; women’s place in the Church; on the great need for leadership in the Society.

Asia Pacific

The name proposed for our conference replaces ‘East Asia and Oceania’ with ‘Asia Pacific’. The argument is that Asia Pacific is the normal way to refer our region: all of the Asian and Pacific countries around the Pacific Ocean, and it communicates better. After wider consultation, the final decision will be made at our January 2010 meeting.

Statutes

New draft Statutes for the Conference attempt to embody the vision of GC35 in our practice, and to acknowledge our availability for a universal mission and the increased desirability of international collaboration. Provinces will review the draft, which will also be compared with those of other conferences. Our next Conference meeting in January expects to send a final version to Fr General for approval.

5% on Mission

Currently 5% of assistancy members serve on assignments outside their provinces, an increase of 2% over the past 5 years. Given the new common tasks we are now undertaking, this percentage will surely grow.  Commitments of the Conference will need to be considered whenever major new projects are planned within Provinces. Superiors offered personnel for around a dozen Conference assignments.

Geographic and spiritual frontiers

Major superiors spent time for personal sharing on their ‘frontiers’, geographic and spiritual. Missioned to leadership at a time of great change within society and the Church, implies a responsibility to offer vision. Our list of frontiers reflected the vastness of our region, and the diversity of our contexts. Challenges included global warming, whether in the Pacific islands or in agriculture; the formation of Jesuits for collaboration; theological discourse in our Asian contexts; having the intellectual apostolates meet and serve the poor; building community. In summary: being with the poor who are left behind by the world, with the world that has left God out, with the Church whose interest in the world is not always evident.

Priority to the Regions

The meeting decided to give significant priority to four regions: Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and East Timor. Each will work together with the Conference staff and other provincials to develop their vision and apostolic plans, identifying major challenges and discerning needs over the coming 5 to 10 years. This planning will include the breadth and depth of commitments, recruitment policies, commitment to the orientation and preparation of Jesuit personnel and companions, and governance arrangements.  The Conference will develop a pool of expertise to help in planning.

Major new plans were reported from Myanmar and East Timor. Myanmar is purchasing a building and site for the candidates’ program in Yangon. East Timor is planning for a new school and will call on experts to help clarify the pedagogical focus (whether to have three levels of senior secondary or six; whether to include teacher training; how to reach the real educational challenges of the country), and the physical arrangement of the school.

Development Offices

Approval was given for a training program early in 2010 for development officers for provinces and regions. Some of our units have considerable experience in encouraging benefactors to share in our mission. Others have not yet promoted this important aspect of mission.

Formation

This was the first appearance of the Delegate, Fr Matthias, in his new role. A decision was taken that the Assistancy Juniorate will be for one year. Options for Philosophy studies include the Ateneo de Manila, Driyarkara in Indonesia, and several locations in India. Supporting increased cooperation among theologates, a November 2009 meeting of Principals and Deans of theologates was approved. The Delegate was asked to seek expert help in developing Formation Guidelines for the Conference, to critique existing programs and help develop plans, especially for the regions, and to develop links with other conferences.

International Roman Houses

Fr Joe Daoust, Delegate for these interprovincial works, reported that 7% of their students come from Asia Pacific, but less than 3% of personnel. Future commitments will require long term preparation. All Roman teaching personnel are now required to return to their home provinces during the long summer breaks in order to refresh their teaching and to contribute at home.

150 years for the Province of Indonesia

Our host Fr Riyo Mursanto gave a background on the 150 years year history of the Jesuits in Indonesia, and the superiors took part in a dinner and mass to mark this occasion. There was a contemporaneous workshop for Jesuit brothers and a consultation on Islam followed the JCEAO meeting. Fr General met with separate groups of scholastics, pastors, and with the brothers.

Mark Raper SJ
President JCEAO