Statement on Singapore Summit
We celebrate this new vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
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.
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.
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.
Pages
Scripture reflections
Palm Sunday
March 24, 2013
Sr. Theresa Kastner lived and worked in Taiwan.
Second Sunday of Lent
February 24, 2013
Sr. Mary Grenough lives and works in Myanmar.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
January 27, 2013
Fr. Joe Thaler, a missioner in Nepal, writes this week's reflection.
Baptism of the Lord
January 13, 2013
Fr. Charlie Dittmeier, who lives and works in Cambodia, writes the reflection on the baptism of Jesus.
Feast of the Holy Family
December 30, 2012
Br. John Beeching works with Burmese refugees in Thailand.
Fourth Sunday of Advent
December 23, 2012
The reflection for this final Sunday of Advent 2012 is written by Maria Montello, a lay missioner in Cambodia.
29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 21, 2012
This Sunday's reflection is written by Fr. Jim Kroeger, who has served as a missioner in Asia for many years.
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 5, 2012
Sr. Luise Ahrens, who has spent many years in Cambodia, writes in this week's reflections about the challenges of living in a interconnected world ... How do we make choices that are clarified by God's wisdom? How can we live a life formed and informed by the Spirit of Jesus?
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 29, 2012
In this week's reflection, Fr. Tom Marti recalls his service in the Philippines, and that beautiful nation's efforts to reverse the devastating ecological destruction it has experienced in recent decades.
Maryknoll Fr. Gerard Hammond speaks on Korea reconciliation