Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Representing Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers, Maryknoll Sisters, and Maryknoll Lay Missioners

Asia/Pacific

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.

Statement on Singapore Summit

We celebrate this new vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Maryknoll Missioners celebrate the peaceful encounter and dialogue between the leaders of North and South Korea

"As Pope Francis has insisted, dialogue is the only way to peace."

Articles, alerts, events

Philippines: Rays of hope amid the darkness

Loreta Castro, director of the Center for Peace Education at Miriam College, in Quezon City, Philippines, writes about the current political challenges in the Philippines.

Cambodia: The election that was or wasn’t

Maryknoll Sister Marie Leonor Montiel, director of a program that helps people affected by HIV/AIDS in Cambodia, writes about the recent general election in which the party of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985, says it won a landslide victory.

U.S.-North Korea Summit: Urge President Trump to pursue peace

Send a letter to President Trump and join in prayer.

Modern Slavery at Sea Presentation

On March 21 and 22, 2018, the Maryknoll office for Global Concerns led a one-hour presentation on human trafficking entitled "Modern Slavery at Sea: Connections between Migrants and Our Faith, Food, and Economy" at Maryknoll, New York.

Click here to watch the presentation.

Click here to download the handout.

Take Action: Tell President Trump to accept North Korea's invitation to talks

Dialogue works. Peace is possible.

Take Action: Tell President Trump to accept North Korea's invitation to talks

Dialogue works. Peace is possible.

Philippines: Catholics protest threats to life

The Council of the Laity in the Philippines organized its annual “Walk for Life” on February 24 to protest extrajudicial killings and the push to reinstate the death penalty in the country.

Hope in Pakistan: An interview with Fr. Bonnie Mendes

Father Boniface “Bonnie” Mendes lives and works in the Diocese of Faisalabad in the eastern province of Punjab, Pakistan. Born and bred in Karachi, the 80-year-old priest is former executive secretary of the Pakistani bishops’ National Commission for Justice and Peace and former head of CARITAS Asia. The following is an interview with Fr. Mendes, conducted via email by Gerry Lee, Director of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, just days after the Dec. 17 suicide bombing attack on a church in Quetta in which nine people were killed and 57 injured.

North Korea: Encounter, dialogue lead to peace

A Maryknoll missioner on the Korean peninsula demonstrates with his life a culture of encounter and dialogue as the way to dispel fears and build peaceful relationships.

Myanmar: Investor advocacy for the Rohingya

The Maryknoll Sisters and the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers have both sent letters to some of the world’s largest oil and gas companies who are doing business in Myanmar, as a form of investor advocacy on behalf of the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority.

Myanmar: Calling out abuse and impunity

International news agencies have reported in recent weeks that thousands of people in Myanmar who identify as religious and ethnic minorities and face severe restrictions inside the mainly Buddhist country have fled to the border with Bangladesh to escape fighting between the military and armed members of minority groups, only to be turned back by the Bangladeshi border guards. Faith groups in the U.S. were scheduled to deliver the following letter to Congress in early September in an attempt to halt a provision in a current defense authorization bill that would increase U.S. military cooperation with the government of Myanmar.

U.S. and North Korea: Call to Prayer and Action

Pray and take action for peace!

Myanmar: Peace is possible

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.

Philippines: Mindanao, Maute, and Martial Law

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.

Maryknoll Sister Mary Grenough with a mother and child in Myanmar

Myanmar: Heal, not wound

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.

Scripture reflections

Sixth Sunday of Easter (Year B)

May 10, 2015

Fr. John McAuley, MM, has spent much of his mission life in Asia.

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year B)

March 15, 2015

Fr. Jack Sullivan served many years in Hong Kong. "Let us rejoice that our Brother Francis is calling us to awaken and repent; let us rejoice that the nations of the world are finally awakening to the challenge to save our earth, to save ourselves, to love each other and all creatures so loved by God."

Christmas Vigil Mass (Year B)

December 24, 2014

Cecelia Aguilar Ortiz, who served as a Maryknoll lay missioner in Thailand, wrote the following reflection.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

December 8, 2014

The following reflection, prepared by Maria Montello, a Maryknoll lay missioner serving in Cambodia, was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.