The Coordination Team of the Franciscan Network for Peace and Integral Ecology in Asia consist of the animators of JPIC (Justice, Peace and Integrity of the Creation) General Office in Rome, representatives of SAAOC and EAC Conferences, Franciscans International, Franciscan Secular Order (online), gathered on April 07-11, 2025, at the House of Silence-Retreat House in Cebu, Philippines.
At the meeting, the Network’s main priorities for the future were defined in response to the specific situation in the region. The aim was to follow up on some plans to further develop the parts of the network that comprise promoting peace, dialogue, advocacy, conscientization, community building and partnerships.
The meeting opened with a warm greeting from Br. Renee Dean OFM, Minister Provincial of St. Anthony-Cebu, Philippines, followed by reading a message from Br. Derrick Yap OFM, President of SAAOC. Then, a review of the Network’s activities from April 2024 to the end of March 2025 was addressed. Also presented were the Network in the Americas and the Mediterranean. In the light of Laudato Si’ and Fratelli Tutti, the Kota Kinabalu-East Malaysia Resolution 2024, the Assisi Statement 2025, the Team reflected on what measurable programs will be undertaken.
In the region, many initiatives on peace have been undertaken over the years such as the Nagasaki Peace Project by the friars in Japan, the peace church between North and South Korea by the friars in South Korea, advocacy for West Papua as a ‘land of peace’ by the friars in Indonesia, dialogue as a bridge to peace in Manipur by the friars in India, and others.
In response to the current earthquake and ongoing civil war in Myanmar, the members agreed that the beneficiary of the Network’s program would be Myanmar, including humanitarian aid, support in housing construction, and then some activities and assistance for the victims of the war especially the migrants and refugees in Penang, West Malaysia.
Another concern of the Network is the need to animate the JPIC animators in Asia, both Franciscan religious and lay people. In light of the 800th anniversary of The Canticle of the Creatures and the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’, the members of the Coordination Team noticed that there is a need of some supports, reflection and training, for Asian JPIC animators, to sensitize them to the climate emergency issues through eco-pastoral programs in Indonesia as clear example and pilot project.
Finally, realizing that the activities of peace and integral ecology requires easy access to various activities of the Network, a digital form of the Network should be created so that this platform can be used by Franciscan family and the public as a means of sharing and learning in up-to-date information.
