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.
Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, in a message published by ZENIT on June 26, calls for an independent investigation of war crime allegations and appeals for an end to crimes against the Rohingyas minority. On June 30, the government of Myanmar, led by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, denied visas to UN investigators.
Fred Goddard, a returned Maryknoll Lay Missioner and former executive director of the Maryknoll Affiliates who works with the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute in the Philippines, wrote the following article on June 26, which was Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holy day that marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
The armistice was signed on Jul 27, 1953 to temporarily suspend the Korean conflict that broke out in 1950. Since then, no peace treaty has been signed to officially declare the end of the war. To sign the Korea Peace Petition, go to www.endthekoreanwar.org. For analysis on current options for peace on the Korean peninsula,…
Maryknoll Father Peter Barry, on mission for many years in Hong Kong and mainland China, reflects on opportunities to share his faith with students in China.
Maryknoll Sister Mary Grenough, who recently returned to New York after many years on mission in Myanmar, wrote about Cardinal Bo’s appeal and actions to promote an end to state-sponsored violence in Myanmar.
In a new pastoral statement, the Catholic Bishops of the Philippines have unequivocally denounced President Duterte’s war on drugs for creating a “reign of terror” among the poor.
Faith-based groups conduct trauma debriefing sessions to those left bereaved in drug war.
On December 9, the Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) released the following statement entitled “President-elect Trump Should Repudiate Duterte’s Claims of U.S. Support for His Murderous Drug Policy.”
This week’s reflection is written by Karen Bortvedt, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in Cambodia.
The people of Myanmar have seen hopes for peace intensified in recent months, only to have them threatened by further human rights abuses and warfare.
Voices of the church continue to denounce the massive wave of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines incited by President Rodrigo Duterte.
In October Taiwan’s legislature passed an amendment to the Employment Service Act, which eases a significant burden on the country’s migrant workers.
Dozens of organizations are working together to make TODAY a Nationwide TPP Call-In Day — to ask members of Congress to take a public position on the TPP. Call 1-888-659-7351….
Amid the violence surrounding President Duterte’s “war on drugs,” Maryknoll Sister Marvie L. Misolas continues to work in the Philippines with the Maryknoll Sisters’ Environment and Climate Change ministry. The following article was written by Sister Marvie on recent developments to securing a healthy environment in which human rights can flourish in the Philippines.
The following reflection on the assassination of Kem Ley in Phnom Penh on July 10 was written by Charles McCarthy, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in Cambodia.
The government of Cambodia is currently implementing one of the worst crackdowns against the opposition political party and human rights organizations in recent years.
The following article about Philippine church leaders launching the global call to “break free from coal” in Quezon province, dubbed as the “coal capital” of the Philippines’ island of Luzon, was published in the Union of Catholic Asian News (UCAN) on April 12.
Concerns about corporate commitments to workplace remediation plans remain as implementation lags.
