VI JPIC Asia-Oceania Continental Meeting concluded
Jakarta, 22-27 June 2026
01 July 2026The VI Continental Meeting of Franciscan JPIC Animators of Asia and Oceania concluded in Jakarta, Indonesia. The aim of the meeting was to evaluate and to reflect on JPIC activities in the region under the theme “Caring for People, Caring for Creation”. Also, they shared on how JPIC Animators can implement the values of JPIC through explicit commitments in Asia as Franciscan witness.
From listening to the reports from both the South Asia and Oceania Conference (SAAOC) and the East Asia Conference (EAC), it can be concluded that each Entity has been working to make JPIC values present in the various ministries of the friars in Asia. These include eco-pastoral initiatives, advocacy for human dignity and the right to a healthy environment, different forms of dialogue, solidarity with victims of natural disasters and violence, and assistance to refugees and displaced persons. At the same time, many challenges continue to confront the friars, such as the extractive economy, armed conflict, forced migration, environmental degradation, human trafficking, and other related issues.
By examining the realities of Asia, the participants believe that these are not only signs of the times but also indications of an uncertain future to which Franciscans are called to respond. For this reason, new approaches are needed to provide insight into how we can better understand these realities and respond effectively. A delegate from Franciscan International, Budi Tjahjono, offered practical guidance on defending the rights of Indigenous peoples, victims of conflict, and the right to a healthy environment at the grassroots, national, conference, and international levels. Br. Mikhael encouraged the friars to initiate various eco-pastoral projects, drawing from his many years of experience as a pioneer of eco-pastoral ministry in Indonesia. Hendro Sangkoyo also gave a comprehensive presentation on extractivism in South Asia and the impact of multinational corporations in the region.
The realities of Asia are a call for Franciscans to respond and collaborate. Returning to the Franciscan origins, spirituality and charism, Br. Derrick Yap led the participants in reflecting on formation and inspired them through Pope Leo’s new encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” on human dignity and its implications for formation. Br. Lino Gregorio Redoblado encouraged the participants to become Easter people as instruments of hope, especially as the Franciscan family celebrates the 800th anniversary of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi. Then, Br. Peter Beto shared his experience as a missionary in Myanmar, where he witnessed armed conflict, human rights violations, and extreme poverty. He reflected that, when confronted with such realities, people often feel hopeless and powerless. Although we know that peacebuilding, dialogue, and assistance to refugees are necessary, the challenge remains: what can we do as Franciscans?
Reflecting on Br. Agustinus Lorensius Nggame reminder at the beginning of the meeting that JPIC is not merely a program but a way of life, and on Br. Ignacio Ceja (the Vicar generale) emphasis that JPIC is a constitutive dimension of Gospel life through which the friars remain relevant and offer a prophetic alternative, the participants arrived at a common statement, resolutions, and commitments.
Finally, the VI Continental Meeting concluded with a visit to the Ciliwung Community, where a statue of St. Francis was blessed, fish were released into the river, and trees were planted. Through the many messages shared by the young participants in the interfaith dialogue and the JPIC Animators of the Franciscan family in Jakarta, one message stood out clearly: Franciscans should be at the forefront of caring for creation and caring for people, and they do believe that they do not stand alone. As one area of concern, the environmental crisis is being addressed not only by the JPIC Office of the OFM but also through interfaith dialogue among young people from different religious traditions in Indonesia, including Catholics, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Confucians.
