As Asia’s population approaches four billion, or more than half of the world’s population, the continent presents startling contrasts of wealth and poverty. While its governments range from the autocratic to the democratic, Asia has the potential for exponential economic growth and significant advances in science, health and technology. But the cost of development must take social justice and environmental values into account. In Asia the U.S. encounters ancient cultures and values from which it could learn much, as well as markets and trade opportunities that could benefit both Asia and the U.S. At the same time, robust Asian economies are potential competitors that could challenge the U.S.’s economic dominance in the world. With the U.S., Europe and giants such as China and India competing for critical natural resources, the globalized economy will demand political considerations – and concessions – of the U.S.
The Office for Global Concerns depends on the experience of Maryknoll missioners in Asia, who are deeply involved in many aspects of their hosts’ lives – religious, social, political and economic. Maryknoll personnel act as partners in diverse apostolates – in parish ministry, health work and education. Missioners work with persons with HIV and AIDS and with special needs. They support those living on the margins – people who are displaced, refugees, foreign workers – as they seek to promote peace, social justice and the integrity of creation.
Maryknoll OGC was among the peace advocate organizations that released a statement in support of peace in the wake of the election of the new South Korean President.
In today’s Gospel, as Jesus bids farewell to His disciples, he reassures them: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love them….” These words were said many centuries ago. Do they still speak to us today? And how can we keep His word? In the Gospel for the Fifth Sunday of…
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined other faith based groups in a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate committees on foreign affairs urging support for accountability and peace in the Philippines, as the former president faces trial before the International Criminal Court.
People from around the United States are invited to participate in Korea Peace Advocacy Week June 9-13, during a fraught time on the Korean Peninsula.
Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. The Apostle Thomas could not believe what he did not know. He had been at the last banquet with Jesus. His execution on a cross…
People’s organizations have a way of witnessing the hope that things can get better with collaborative efforts. It was 38 years ago in Baguio City, Philippines, where I am writing this reflection, that an indigenous women’s organization was founded. Initially, the Women’s Desk for Indigenous Women’s Education and Organization was part of a social action…
This reflection was published as part of the Lenten Reflection Guide: A Jubilee of Hope. In Myanmar, it is difficult for people to count on a steady income, land, even food or education. When their families, clan or communities cannot meet their basic needs, they rely on their faith in God and their deeply ingrained…
This reflection was published as part of the Lenten Reflection Guide: A Jubilee of Hope. The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to Jesus, “I shall give you all this power and the glory… All this will be yours, if you worship me.” But Jesus…
As the Doomsday Clock moves closer to midnight than ever before, nations meet in New York to work toward banning nuclear weapons, and arms control advocates urge Trump Administration to follow up on “denuclearization” comments.
Burdensome public debt in the continent has induced African youth to migrate for employment driving greater risks of exploitation and modern slavery.
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined 38 other faith and civic organizations in a letter to President Trump urging him to work on improving relations with North Korea, including by formally ending the Korean war. Read this letter as a PDF. January 29, 2025 Dear President Trump, The undersigned coalition of national organizations write to…
Peace Advocates from around the United States gathered in Pennsylvania to discuss goals and strategies for bringing about an end to the Korean War and peace with justice on the Korean Peninsula. The following article was published in the January – February 2025 issue of NewsNotes. Korea peace advocates are organizing for an uncertain future….
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined a letter to the leadership of the House of Representatives, organized by Asian Americans Advancing Justice with the partnership of fifty faith and civil society groups, in opposition to the reauthorization of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party,…
The Nobel Committee’s recognition of the Japanese hibakusha organization Nihon Hidankyo comes at a crucial moment for addressing the nuclear threat. The following article was published in the November-December 2024 issue of NewsNotes. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on October 11 that it has awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 to the Japanese organization…
Hiroshima and Nagasaki hold their annual ceremonies memorializing the 1945 bombings by the United States in a particularly fraught year for peace.
Setting out priorities in front of diplomats and UN representatives, the new leader of Bangladesh vows continuity on two biggest policy challenges.
Benedict Rodgers writes in his column published in UCANews on Aug. 26, 2024, that Rohingyas are facing the gravest threats since 2017 when more than 750,000 were forced to flee to Bangladesh.
Maryknoll Fr. Joy Tajonera served as the lead organizer and host of the three-day International Conference on Fisher’s Welfare in the Chinese city of Taichung this past May.
