Collaboration with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

To All Provincial, Regional and Mission Superiors of the Society
In re: Collaboration with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)
Dear Provincial/Regional/Mission Superior,

The former General Administration sent a circular letter in July 2016 titled “Collaboration with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)” (P09/2016). In this letter, the then Superior General invited the confreres to commit themselves at the service of refugee camps with JRS. The Generalate got a few inquiries from the confreres, and so far, two confreres have worked at a refugee camp in Malawi as JRS staff and as volunteers. We thank them for their valuable commitment and witness of the love of Christ among these people. There is an interview video of the two confreres available at the SVD YouTube channel:

Unfortunately, the phenomenon of refugee continues in many parts of the world. Our living and working in refugee camps, providing medical, psycho-social services and pastoral ministry, etc., are activities of giving witness to the people regarding our commitment to the Gospel. As a missionary congregation which tries to bring the good news to the most marginalized people, the 18th General Chapter reconfirmed the recommendation of the previous General Chapter to appoint more confreres for the migrant and refugee apostolate (2.1.1). Following this recommendation, we would like to invite confreres again to work at refugee camps as JRS staff (place and country depending on the need). The service of confreres at these refugee camps certainly gives a big impact to the life of refugees, and also the experience of the confreres at these places will be a great asset to our missionary activities in the PRMs when they return.

Those who are interested to be at the service with JRS staff, please contact the Generalate JPIC Coordinator (Fr. Daisuke Narui, SVD at svd.jpic@gmail.com).

May the love of Christ impel us to be faithful to the Word and one with the people.