Dear Members and Readers,
The July – August 2024 issue of the SEDOS Bulletin covers the second part of the Residential Seminar that was held at Ariccia on the theme, “Prophetic Witness for Universal Communion: Mission in Conflict Zones and Healing”, from 6-10 May 2024. It contains primarily the psychological and spiritual approach to the theme. SEDOS had invited the Jesuit Refugee Service team (JRS) to come as it has a vast knowledge and experience in dealing with these aspects.
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international faith-based organization currently working in over 50 countries. As a global ministry of the Society of Jesus and inspired by the compassion and love of Jesus, JRS is dedicated to accompanying, serving, and advocating for refugees and forcibly displaced individuals, empowering them to heal, learn, and determine their own future. Eric Goeh-Akue, SJ, head of JRS says, “Our approach is holistic, addressing psychosocial well-being, gender responsiveness, safeguarding,
community empowerment, and environmental stewardship as key for rebuilding lives and preserving dignity. Within this framework, we prioritize four programmatic areas for our mission, emphasizing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.”
The first presentation the JRS team gave was by Eric with Katharina on, “The Psychological Approach to Missions in Conflict Zones.” The presentation focused on reflection on psycho-social determinants of mental health in settings of conflict and the importance of the human rights approach to the mission to protect the well-being of vulnerable refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. Eric also talked about the importance of self-care and mechanisms to protect the staff’s well-being within their program.
The Second presentation was delivered by Eric with Amaya Valcarcel, on the same theme, “Prophetic Witness for Universal Communion: Mission in Conflict Zones and Healing” but from the spiritual point of view, focusing on the Spirituality of Nonviolence.
This presentation delves into the JRS’s approach, through the lens of nonviolence and spirituality, emphasizing the transformative impact of accompaniment and compassion.
According to Eric, “JRS’s nonviolent spiritual approach in support of forcibly displaced individuals which envisages compassion, solidarity, and justice. It echoes Pope Francis’ call for unity and humanity in confronting the global refugee crisis, emphasizing that it is not merely about migrants, but more especially about our shared humanity. As we work together, let us strive to dismantle walls and embrace a collective identity of “we”, encompassing all of humanity.”
Sheila Kinsey, FCJM, in her presentation on the theme, “The Spirituality of Nonviolence as Prophetic Witness for Universal Communion: Mission in Conflict Zones and Healing”, shared her own experience and the experience of others on violence from her early childhood and how she had been motivated to work for the mission of nonviolence. She summarised her presentation in the following words, “On the spiritual journey of Integrity for Nonviolence, we are guided by our compass to God’s grace and mercy. In this session we will explore the implications of our desire to be persons of integrity and to practice nonviolence in a way that is reflective of our contemplative and active stories. Our lives are to be the passionate prophetic witness to nonviolence and to engage others in nurturing and healing our precious world.”
This issue also contains the experiences of the participants in the form of reports submitted by the different language groups who addressed the process of healing in conflict situations. While reflecting on their own missionary life, they were inspired and motivated to work for universal communion by becoming prophetic witnesses.
I am sure these presentations will inspire and motivate all our Members and Readers to be prophetic witness while the whole world is in the grip of various conflicts and enormous suffering. May Jesus who suffered and died for love of others, enlighten and guide us so that we can truly follow him.
John Paul Herman SVD
Director of SEDOS
