Looking forward to GC36 in Rome

The beginning  of GC 36 in Rome on the 2nd October 2016 is an exciting event for the Society of Jesus.  It will elect a new General and discuss on how it can strengthen and refocus its mission in the world today.

 It is a world that has changed since General Congregation 35.  Two major changes which have occurred is the urgency of the ecology issue and the suffering of people living and fleeing from conflict zones.  Pope Francis has given great leadership on how the Church can respond to these issues.

Urgent need to build peace for all in South Sudan and the Sudan

Travelling to Maban is a challenge.    You need to reach the NE corner of the South Sudan border with Sudan and Ethiopia.  It is a 2 hour ride from Juba on a small plane with WFP. It travels every Tuesday and Friday.  Maban is only accessible by plane at present.

It is a tent city of 140,000 refugees fleeing the Blue Nile conflict of Sudan and 60,000 returnees from different refugee camps in Eastern Africa.  There have been 2 evacuations of humanitarian staff in the past year because of insecurity. The first took place in December 2013 when the national conflict exploded in Juba- all NGO staff was advised to leave their work stations.   In July  2014  the local militia attacked Nuer groups and killed 5 humanitarian drivers.  All NGO staff except essential support staff was advised to move.  Humanitarian workers returned in  September.

To say the work there is challenging is an understatement and the work of humanitarian teams there is heroic in very difficult circumstances.  Many have been living in tents in 40 degree heat in the past year.

Some of the greatest challenges are the following:

The complexity of the conflicts affecting the local and refugee population:

Maban is the meeting place of many conflicts.  The majority of the refugees flee the conflict in the Blue Nile within the Sudan.  They seek autonomy from the Khartoum Government and are in negotiation with the government for some form of independence.There are many political factions and militias within the Blue Nile state seeking at times in a splintered fashioned such autonomy.  This movement for autonomy is supported militarily and politically by the SS Government and training and trading of arms  takes place on the borders.

Another significant group are the returnees (60,000 approx).  They have come back from exile after the 25 year war.  They live in temporary dwellings in a county where there are few services.  Their livelihoods are on the edge of survival and their post independence expectations of a better life have been dashed.

Another conflict existing in the area is the tension between the locally formed militia and groups within the national army present within the area.  This conflict is an off shoot of the national conflict which split Nuer versus Dinka.   The Nuer who have remained in the national army view other ethnic army members with suspicion and they in turn are viewed with suspicion by other army members and local militias.  This tension could blow up at any time as happened in July when the local militia attacked the Nuer army members in Maban.

Humanitarian teams work within the confluence of many conflicts and their presence and work there is remarkable.

Accessibility and climate:

It is an isolated zone and landlocked at present because of rebel movements in the area.

Communication by road in and out of Sudan and Ethiopia and down South to Juba  has been affected by bad rains and floods and also insecurity. 

Basic supplies are not easy to access locally and everything has to comein by plane especially in the wet season which is expensive and slow.  Building supplies are very expensive.  One bag of cement costs 130 USD in Maban in November 2014.

Midday heat reaches 40s at times and malaria is frequent in the area.

Security:

On Thursday 13 Nov.  2014 The Sudan Government  bombed Maban county.  This is the first time cross border bombing took place in this area since independence and casualties were brought to the hospital in Bunj town.  Rebel movements were reported on 16  Nov moving to the Blue Nile seeking training and arms.   On the night of 17 Nov there was armed robbery of store in Bunj town.  Security is fragile and its maintenance depends on so many factors such as the peace talks in Addis, the behaviour of local militias and commanders and developments in Blue Nile.  Some forecast a resumption of hostilities on a national level when the rainy season ends in December.

Weak local governance structures:

Maban county and payams  like all parts of  S. Sudan  is striving to put in place local  governance structures and services. Many exist in name but do not function. The local education department for example do not know  how many primary schools actually  function and recent research done by NGOs show most have closed down and the teachers who have been unpaid have gone to work elsewhere in NGOS.  As in many  conflict and  emergency situations there are dual economies and governances  operating in parallel- the local fractured one and the one operated by the humanitarian agencies in the county.  The reality in Maban is that the refugee community have more services available to it than the host community.This has the potential to create real tension between the two communities. 

Continuity and consolidation;

The humanitarian effort in Maban has had a short and interrupted year but has made real connexions to the refugee community, host community and other stakeholders.  There is a capital of good will amongst all the actors in the environment.  Real work is taking place in teacher training, psycho social, pastoral activities and WASH.  This is a great credit to the present teams.

What is key to the maintenance and the building up of the project is continual presence of core teams,  Another evacuation would be difficult for the teams both physically and psychologically and could lead to the closure of the project.  Meanwhile, there is an immediate need to consolidate the teams and locations of work within the compound site and in the camps and local communities.

Urgent need for peace:

There is a crisis of leadership in South Sudan and in the Sudan and as the Swahili proverb says when elephants fight the grass gets hurt.  Too many people are hurting at present –almost 4 million need direct assistance within  South Sudan-  national and local leaders need to wake up to the suffering of their people and fight for and build  peace and not for war and division. 

Juba airport- life line for the country

Returning to Juba airport

The Juba airport experience.

One has always to brace oneself about what to expect in Juba airport. Will there be queues rather than a free for all, will it  be possible to spot and retrieve ones luggage amid the chaos and will they check it in detail before they put the magic chalk sign on the bag to signify all is OK?  Will they have installed some more ventilation systems to help in the sweltering temperatures inside a big hangar. Returning for the 4th time in past 10 years on November14  there were changes and some surprising. We had to wash our hands and get a kind of eye test for Ebola before we could enter the hangar and fill out a yellow form that had to given to immigration.  There were reasonably ordered  queues at immigration but no desk to fill out your forms.  Collecting  the luggage was usually a free for all but a more ordered free for all since more staff was around to identify your luggage. The ventilation and cooling system did not seem to exist or work but we got through OK. Leaving the airport for Rumbek it is always good to have someone who knows the secrets amidst the chaos of people and desks.   In  the  lounge where hundreds wait for  UN , WFP and a few commercial  flights it can be swelteringly hot. 

TIPS : If you are fortunate to find a seat sit beside one of the coolers near the window where you can even read a book but make sure you listen to your flight number and direction being called  since I know of some who have been left behind.  Spending another night in Juba can be expensive!

Amidst the present conflict it is vital the airport can run as smoothly as it does given the number of humanitarian flights moving in and out each day.  It is a vital channel of assistance to over 3.5 million people who need assistance in South Sudan  today.  

Bravo to all the people who help to run  it as smoothly as it does given the limitations and pressures of its present infrastructure.  Without them and the airport the suffering of millions of people would be much greater. 

China's greatest challenge- pollution?

Is China taking a great leap backwards- environmental hazards

Walking along the Bund in Shanghai in early December in 2013- the Bund is the beautiful waterfront separating the old city from the new city- one could hardly discern the museum of tall skyscrapers on the other side of the river. The boats on the river were like moving shadows. All this because a mist, a haze, polluted clouds enwrapped this beautiful city. The local authorities banned all out door sport for children because the air quality was toxic. Neighbouring schools were closed and traffic flows limited.

The great challenge facing China and its people is the poisoning of its air and people- all in the name of progress and development! Authorities now admit of cancer villages surrounding many industrial sites in China. Chinese friends speak of the growing levels of cancer amongst their family and neighbours. International students going to Beijing and other large cities and academic institutions are less because of toxic air but also poor water quality and food. Baby food and formula is the most requested gift sought by parents in China from visitors coming from abroad. All travellers from Hong Kong to mainland China get a a warning across the intercom that only 2 packets of baby formula and powdered baby food is allowed. If one is caught taking more one is liable to a fine of 500,000 HK Dollars. This means there is panic amongst parents about the health of their children in mainland China.

Some estimates put the polluted water ways in China as high as 40%. When this water is used for irrigation the food chain is corrupted. Recent research and reports write of over 1 million premature deaths in China per year related to air pollution.
Hong Kong newspapers reported in late November that the relatively new USA Ambassador based in Beijing wanted to give up his post and return to the USA seemingly, for family educational reasons but the real reason suggested was that Beijing was an unhealthy place to live given the level of pollution in the city. Unfortunately, 1.3 billion people cannot move and have to breathe this polluted air. Those who can afford medical masks wear them diligently. One can even buy a can of fresh air in some areas in China!

The controversial Catholic Shanghai Bishop Jin Luxian died in April 2013. In his last interviews he spoke of his heartfelt wishes for his Diocese and people 1. The Shanghai Diocese would become a Diocese that cares for the poor 2. He hoped that Shanghai authoritiesand society would stop and reflect on the development orientations of the city. He believed livelihoods and the quality of life of the people neededspecial attention. He warned against falling into the trap of money worship, and he believed neglect of the quality of life and damage to the environment were key challenges for his people and Government. His words are indeed prophetic given the poor quality of health suffered by many people because of air pollution in many parts of China today.

The Chinese Government and people can learn useful lessons from the West in relation to their struggles over the years in dealing with similar problems and the present economic crisis. However, the most notable lesson it can learn is how unregulated development - doing business without ethics- progress without consideration for the whole person-greed for money can affect the livelihoods of millions and impact negatively generations of peoples

Following the Ricci trail

Following the Ricci trail

Macau has been the gateway of many explorers into China. It was the first port of call for the great ITALIAN JESUIT MISSIONARY Matteo Ricci. He built the bridge of understanding of Chinese culture and relations in China which has remained an example to all missionary endeavour to the present. His set of rules were befriend the people, learn the language, understand the culture, appreciate and appropriate the values of that culture which are consonant with the Gospel and enter into dialogue with the peoples and learn from them. Work on how one can immerse the Gospel into the culture and vice versa and never impose it.
Macau continues to be a bridge into China and amidst the plenitude of casinos and churches and it remains a melting pot of many cultures and a place where West meets East.

The inspiration of Ricci inspired many Jesuits to give their lives to China and in spite of the expulsion of foreigners under the Mao regime Chinese religious leaders and Chinese lay men and women catholics continue through their heroic commitment to give witness to freedom and to the dignity of the human person in spite of Government spying, harassment, intimidation going on in many places within China. One is bemused at times what the Chinese Government and Party organs are afraid of from Catholics and the Catholic Church. One wonders if the party is more afraid of a free internet or the Catholic Church within China? The present accomodation strategy adopted by some Western Governments to appease the Chinese Government is a source of sadness to many ordinary Chinese people who hunger for the freedom to assemble, express themselves, worship freely and have an unblocked internet. The placing of the Shanghai Catholic Bishop under virutal house arrest and the retention of the passsports of a number of religious leaders , thus curbing their feedom to travel abroad is to be abhorred. The international community and its leaders must continue to raise human rights issues with the Chinese Government. Remaining silent does a disservice to those who are voiceless within Chinese borders. International leaders who visit just to do business or just charm the Chinese leaders can never supersede issues of human rights,dignity, respect for cultural identity, freedom to travel and expression and right of assembly within China. The deprivation of such rights affects the lives of millions of Chinese in 2013. Money and good economic relationships with China must not be allowed to take priority over the promotion of human dignity and human rights within this grest country. It must however, be also acknowledged that China has travelled a long way to freedom from the oppressive days of the Mao regime and the outcome of the ‘third plenum’ published in November,2013- this is the Government policy document for the next number of years- indicates that the struggle to give more space to progressive elements within the party,Government and people is bearing results – the abolition of labour camps and re-education internments seems to be strong indicators that China under the present leadership is on the way to join the international in community in acknowledging basic freedoms. One hopes that the blueprint for reform emerging from the present leaders will bloom and grow.

Far East trip

Visiting Hong Kong is always a fascinating experience-7 million crowded into an island of half the area of county Limerick in Ireland with skycrapers reachig 50-70 storeys high. You build up rather than out because out is the sea!

It is is both a huge residentail/commercial centre and a container yard for the East. The people seem to live in many locations in shoe boxes in the more crowded areas while others live in luxurious apartments. The people look serious and focussed and work really hard. Employment is easy to find especially, in the construction industry at present and unlike the recession ridden west Hong Kong is seeking urgently 2,000 workers for the building of a railway.

Relations with mainland China seem to be harmonous at present although current debate concerns how they will elect the next Head of the island through democratic means or through committees designated -'fixed" by China.

Being in Church here on the Feast of Christ the King is a wonderful experience of life, singing and whole families together celebrating their faith. Almost 6,000 young adults were baptised last yesr in Hong Kong- many young adults- and this matches numbers in the mainland who turn to God as they see through the illusions of both liberal capitalism and oppressive communism- a real lesson for humanity.

The Taiwan experience

The  immigration counter is usually the first experience of a country by a visitor.  The lady at the Taipei airport immigration smiled and wished you an enjoyable stay in Taiwan. The person who showed me how to get a bus ticket to the city centre and the bus driver were equally helpful and friendly.  Taiwan is a friendly country and the people appear relaxed and content. It is where one experiences a certain harmony in the rhythm of life of the population. This seems to be absent in parts of  mainland China where people appear rushed and somewhat traumatised  and where officials seem to be trained not to smile and be suspicious of foreigners.


Every morning in Duan park in Taipei various groups gather to meditate, dance to music or just walk and exercise.  One is free to join any particular group  and will be helped by one of the participants to  learn the moves of Tai Chai or rock and roll.  It is an excellent way to start the day from 6am onwards.


The other great place to visit is the national palace museum of Taipei which  contains almost 700,000 pieces of Chinese artifacts and paintings which came to Taiwan from mainland China before the invasion of China by the Japanese and again before the cultural revolution.  It contains over 8,000 years of Chinese history and the collections and treasures of Chinese emperors are on display there. If one was to delve into Chinese culture and history this museum is a must see.

What is obvious in Taipei is the number of visitors from the mainland who come in their thousands to visit.  More flexible travel restrictions to and from from mainland China is a boom for the tourist industry and is  also a great outlet  for the people from the mainland who are free to experience another world in Taiwan.  An ex -labour camp intern from mainland China who now lives in Taiwan expresses it this way '' in Taiwan one can say or do what one wants ''.  Perhaps this freer movement of peoples from inside China to Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan may  lead o an unfreezing of the strict controls the Party has on the people in the mainland.  It will sure raise awareness amongst the visitors that life can be lived and organized otherwise, free from suspicion and fear of speaking and meeting as one pleases.

It is important is to visit the mountains south of  Taipei. They are beautiful but it is more important to  meet and greet the indigenous people.  Some of them  suffer as much as the immigrants in terms of labour opportunities, social conditions  and low standards of living.  A number of NGOs and Church groups including the Jesuits and the Jesuit inspired sociall centre Rerum Novarum, work to advocate to bring about better conditions of these marginalized groups. The beauty of the mountains can hide the struggles of those who live there and the freedom given to many different groups to work amongst them to improve their lot is both inspiring and encouraging.

Perhaps of all the Chinas, mainland China, Macau and Hong Hong,  Taiwan  seems to be more at ease with themselves and with one another as a people in spite of the future political uncertaninty.