General Information

In recent years, we had used the term Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania to define organisational arrangements covering our life and service in the Asian countries to the east from Myanmar and in the Pacific Islands.  In order to achieve the greater mandate we had been given, however, we felt that we had to see ourselves in a new, more readily understandable light in today’s world, as the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP).

Fr. John Hayes was 36 years old when he died. He is buried in grave 7A. F. 24, Taukkyan War Cemetery, outside Yangon (formerly Rangoon) in Myanmar (Burma). He was the only Irish Jesuit chaplain to have died during the Second World War.

Please remember in your prayers, Fr Tom Steinbugler (PHI) and Fr Jim Meehan (PHI) who are both convalescing from their recent illnesses.

Last 4 February 2010, Fr General received a request from the Major Superiors of the Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania,  seeking approval of a new name for the Conference. On 1 March 2010, Fr General approved the change. Henceforth, the Conference is to be known as the “Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.” The following administrative abbreviations will be used: CAP for the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific and ASP for the Assistancy of Asia Pacific. (Excerpt from the Letter to all Major Superiors 2010/07)

UNESCO celebrated the 400th anniversary of Matteo Ricci's death with a symposium and the opening of an exhibition. More than 700 people convened for the celebration on February 16 at UNESCO's headquarters in Paris.