June 15, 2010

Pope Praises Matteo Ricci, 16th-century Missionary to China

Matteo RicciPope Benedict XVI praised Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci for his unique and effective evangelization in 16th-century China and for opening dialogue between China and the West.

The pope spoke May 29 to a group of pilgrims from Italy's Marches region, where Fr. Ricci was born; the pilgrims were at the Vatican to mark the 400th anniversary of Fr. Ricci's death.

Pope Benedict said that the Jesuit was able to win the hearts and minds of his Chinese hosts by throwing himself into their culture with respect and openness. Fr. Ricci, who came from Macerata in central Italy, represented "the fortunate synthesis of proclaiming the Gospel and of dialogue with the culture of the people who are receiving it, an example of balance between doctrinal clarity and prudent pastoral action," the pope said.

Fr. Ricci not only learned the Chinese language, but he adopted the style of life and customs of cultured Chinese people and, so, was "accepted with respect, not as a foreigner, but as 'Great Master of the West,'" he said. The missionary's efforts made the Chinese more open to his teachings about the Christian faith, the pope said.

Because Fr. Ricci and his companions were able to start a dialogue with the Chinese, he said, their era marked "one of the highest and happiest points in relations between China and the West." [Catholic News Service]

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HIV/AIDS Clinic in Africa Named after Late Canadian Jesuit

Fr. Martin Royackers, SJService Yezu Mwiza (SYM), a Jesuit program for AIDS care and HIV prevention in Burundi, inaugurated a new clinic on June 11 named after Fr. Martin Royackers, SJ, a 41-year-old Canadian Jesuit who was murdered in 2001.

Fr. Yamuremye Désiré, SJ, director of Service Yezu Mwiza (SYM) says of the new clinic's namesake, "Martin's is really the name to give to the clinic—a young Jesuit, engaged in the social apostolate, who died for his ministry and work for the poor."

In 1994 Fr. Royackers went to Jamaica to serve as pastor of St. Theresa's Parish. He was interested in promoting faith and justice, which lead him to defend the rights and protect the land claims for various poor families. Fr. Royackers was shot on June 20, 2001, outside his parish in Annotto Bay.

Fr. Désiré adds, "Yezu Mwiza means good compassionate Jesus, and such caring compassion is addressed to the poor, and is what the service of Martin Royackers continues to be about in the clinic which bears his name."

SYM launched in January 2009 and cares for around 900 people with HIV and nearly 1,000 orphans and vulnerable children. [The Jesuits in English Canada]

Pictured: Top - Father Martin Royackers, SJ; bottom - Fr. Désiré and some of the clinic's staff and beneficiaries (courtesy of Fr. Michael Czerny, SJ)

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Jesuit Journal Praises U.S. Health Reform Law

La Civilta CattolicaThe health care reform law passed in the United States marked "a needed and long awaited beginning" of bringing greater justice to all citizens, especially the most vulnerable, said La Civilta Cattolica, an influential Jesuit journal.

"Limited access to health care compromised in many ways the health of citizens and the country," said the journal. It also said the different positions within the U.S. Catholic community over whether the measure should have been passed reflected a "clash" of differing opinions over how to implement church social teaching.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama March 23, is a continuation of efforts by U.S. presidents to introduce "measures that aim for greater justice for all citizens and, in particular, for the most vulnerable," the journal said.

The article in the Rome-based biweekly magazine was written by Italian Jesuit Fr. Andrea Vicini, a professor at the Pontifical Faculty of Theology of Southern Italy in Naples and visiting professor at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College. [Catholic News Service]

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In the Halls of Congress, Jesuits Are Going Door to Door for Immigration Reform

On June 4, a letter signed by every Jesuit major superior in the United States was hand delivered to the White House and each individual Congressional office. Their canvassing effort seeks immediate and comprehensive immigration reform.

"With the new Arizona law, there is a real risk that life on our national borders will become subject to a patchwork of state responses; Congress is faced with both a constitutional and moral imperative to act," said Fr. Thomas H. Smolich, SJ, president of the Jesuit Conference of the United States. "Despite what some reactionary politicians would have us believe," Fr. Smolich added, "we can secure our borders in a way that does not cost us our humanity."

John Kleiderer, director of social and international ministries at the Jesuit Conference, worries that if Congress does not act quickly, "the lives of thousands of people on both sides of the border will be hostage to the mid-term elections and neither side of the debate will see progress toward either security or justice."

Referencing the Justice for Immigrants Campaign sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Fr. Smolich said "the Catholic Church has been a leading advocate of immigration reform. We wanted to send a clear message to the President and Congress as well as invite all Jesuits and our many lay partners to join us in support of the Church, speak out for the least among us and ask your members of Congress to act now."

The Jesuits are asking for legislation based on five core principals shared by the Justice for Immigrants Campaign.

  1. A path to legalization that ensures undocumented immigrants have access to full rights.
  2. A legal employment structure for future workers that protects both migrants and United States workers.
  3. Expedited family reunification and emphasis on family unity.
  4. The need for due process and humane enforcement of our immigration laws.
  5. Economic development assistance and fair market access for developing countries.

For the complete text of the letter, visit http://bit.ly/immigrationletter. [Jesuit Conference]

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Jesuits in Jamaica Reported Safe after Gun Battle in Kingston

JamaicaAttempts to arrest an alleged drug kingpin in Kingston, Jamaica in late May turned into urban warfare that left dozens dead in Tivoli Gardens, the neighborhood that was under siege for days as the security forces battled heavily-armed gangsters defending their leader, Christopher Coke, known as Dudus.

In the midst of this violence is St. Anne's Parish, as well as the Jesuits and the schools that they oversee. Canadian Jesuit Fr. Peter McIsaac, Regional Superior of the Jesuits in Jamaica, recently sent this letter to the New England Province of the Society of Jesus regarding the situation. Since 1929, the New England Jesuits have overseen the Jamaica Mission for the Society. [NJN]

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Jesuit's Newman Institute is First Catholic College in Sweden in 500 Years

Jesuit-run Newman Institute for Catholic Studies in SwedenThe Jesuit-run Newman Institute for Catholic Studies in Sweden received accreditation from the government in April making it the first Catholic college in the country in 500 years.

Located in Uppsala, Sweden, the Newman Institute has been offering courses and seminars in theology, philosophy, and cultural studies since 2001. The new accreditation allows the school to grant bachelor degrees in theology; is the first Catholic institution of its kind to receive accreditation in the country since the 1500.

"The future is exciting for us," said Fr. Philip Geister, SJ, director of the institute. "Our goal now is to expand and improve our excellent programs in theology and philosophy."

Currently twenty-one adjunct and full-time teachers are on staff at the institute, and several hundred students enroll in courses each year. The institute is also actively involved in international collaboration efforts including regularly scheduled speakers, visiting scholars, and student exchange programs. [Newman Institute]

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Around Campus

The Heartland-Delta VI Conference of Midwestern Jesuit Colleges Held at Xavier

Heartland-Delta VI Conference logoThe Heartland-Delta VI conference, held May 25-28 at Xavier University, provided a venue for dialogue and learning about Jesuit education, collaboration, and Ignatian spirituality. About 300 faculty, staff, and administrators from the 12 Jesuit colleges and universities in the Midwest explored a variety of topics in hopes of building lasting connections with colleagues and finding common ground for Jesuit higher education.

The theme of the conference was taken from a statement by early Jesuit leader Jeronimo Nadal: "We are not monks! ... The world is our house." Particularly aware of the opportunities and challenges posed to Jesuit campuses by globalization, conference attendees gathered to:

  1. Remember together the Jesuit values which underlie their work.
  2. Reflect on "the signs of the times" in light of global issues.
  3. Explore their responses to these issues in light of their shared Jesuit mission.
  4. Inspire each other to acts of justice and compassion.
  5. Find support for their common work across campuses and disciplines.

Learn more by visiting the Heartland-Delta conference web site at www.xavier.edu/heartlanddelta6. [Xavier University]

Gesu School Holds Annual Hike for Hunger

Gesu School's Hike for HungerThe Jesuits' Gesu School & Parish in Cleveland held its 26th Annual Hike for Hunger in May and raised over $14,000. Close to 700 students participated in the 2.2 mile hike.

Since 1985 the hike has raised $272,000 for the poor and the homeless locally and internationally. Some of this year's recipients included Catholic Charities, Assistance Dogs of America, and Gesu's Honduras Mission.

"The Hike for Hunger allows our students to help make a difference in their community and world and helps them live out our mission of Service to Others," said Sr. Linda Martin, OSU, principal. [Gesu School]  

Arrupe Jesuit High School Seniors Will All Head to College

Arrupe Jesuit High in Denver will be sending 100 percent of its senior class to college in the fall.

"Sixty percent of you are the first in your families to graduate high school," Fr. Steven Planning, the president of Arrupe, told the graduates at the graduation ceremony.

Fr. Planning says the experience that students get by working one day a week in a corporation to earn money to pay for Arrupe is the heart of the school's success.

"They get to see, feel, and touch the future that we want them to have," Fr. Planning said.
According to Fr. Planning, the 54 graduates earned a combined total of more than $3.85 million in merit-based scholarships. That averages to more than $70,000 in scholarship money per student. [www.9news.com]

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