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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Maria Montello, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner serving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, reflects on recognizing Christ in our daily lives.
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Karen Bortvedt reflects on lessons she learned from the deaf community in Cambodia.
Maryknoll Father James Kroeger reflects on what he calls the heart of mission – the compassion of God.
Maryknoll Sister Luise Ahrens, who was instrumental in re-establishing the Royal University of Phnom Penh after the reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, reflects on our need to make choices in our lives "formed and informed by the Spirit of Jesus."
Maryknoll Father Thomas J. Marti, who was on mission in the Philippines for many years, reflects on the work for peace and justice as integral to our call to love another.
Maryknoll Sister Miriam Frances Perlewitz in Bangladesh reflects on the need for a clean heart and steadfast spirit when facing life's challenges.
Kathy Morefield, a Maryknoll Affiliate who served in Cambodia, asks "Who does this Earth belong to?"
Charles Dittmeier, a diocesan priest from Kentucky who is on mission with the Maryknoll Lay Missioners in Cambodia, reflects on our generous and caring God.
Maryknoll Father James Kroeger, on mission in the Philippines, reflects on seeing the divine in the ordinary.
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.
This week's reflection is written by Karen Bortvedt, a Maryknoll Lay Missioner in Cambodia.
This week's reflection is written by Sr. Mary Ann Smith, who spent many years as a missioner in the Philippines.
Fr. James Kroeger, MM, who served in the Philippines, wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Fr. John Sullivan, MM, who served many years as a missioner in Hong Kong, wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.
Sr. Luise Ahrens, MM, who served in Cambodia, wrote the following reflection which was published in A Maryknoll Liturgical Year: Reflections on the Readings for Year B, available from Orbis Books.