Longing for Reconciliation: Lamenting over 70 years of Division Between North Korea and South Korea
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns signed on to the following statement in July 2020 in support of the Korean American Churches.
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.
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns signed on to the following statement in July 2020 in support of the Korean American Churches.
The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns joined a number of organizations in sending the following letter to House leadership asking Congress to include humanitarian assistance for North Korea in the next COVID-19 relief bill.
We celebrate this new vision for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
"As Pope Francis has insisted, dialogue is the only way to peace."
Eight years after 112 died in a fire at a garment factory, survivors stage protest calling for help from the prime minister. UCANews published this article, excerpted here, on November 25, 2020.
A new youth protest movement calling for greater democratic norms has emerged in Thailand.
Bangladesh has experienced severe flooding, storms, and loss during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Catholic Church in Hong Kong raises concerns that a new security law will threaten the basic rights and freedoms of the territory's people.
Korea Peace Now!, a global movement of women mobilizing to end the Korean War, commissioned an international and multidisciplinary panel of independent experts to assess the human cost of sanctions on North Korea, and particularly on North Korean women. The following is the executive summary of the 48-page report.
Sr. Janet Hockman served as a missioner in the Marshall Islands and in Nepal.
This week's reflection is written by Sr. Mary Ann Smith, who spent many years as a missioner in the Philippines.
Sr. Mary Grenough lives and works in Myanmar.
Fr. Joe Thaler, a missioner in Nepal, writes this week's reflection.
Fr. Charlie Dittmeier, who lives and works in Cambodia, writes the reflection on the baptism of Jesus.
Br. John Beeching works with Burmese refugees in Thailand.
The reflection for this final Sunday of Advent 2012 is written by Maria Montello, a lay missioner in Cambodia.
This Sunday's reflection is written by Fr. Jim Kroeger, who has served as a missioner in Asia for many years.
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?
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.