The Social Apostolate in Europe   

 
• Who we are

The Social Apostolate is a dimension of the Jesuit mission to Europe.  People in social ministry like to think of themselves as sharing in Jesus’ mission of ‘bringing good news to the poor’ (Luke 4). They take literally Jesus’ comment:  ‘what you did to the least of my brothers you did to me’ (Mt 25).  Faith, justice and solidarity are their guiding ideas. They go about their work by accompanying the poor, learning from their experience and acting in the best interests of the poor.  Prophetic individuals have shown the way in this work and now communities are learning to live in solidarity with the poor. The social apostolate is deployed at three levels: in the provinces; in networks that reach beyond provinces;  at conference level.
 

• What we do

Jesuit provinces have evolved one or more of the following works:  centre of reflection, community near to the poor, refugee or migrant services, project for access to education, mission office, dialogue with religions/cultures/politics, services to meet specific needs and a social coordinator to liaise with them.

Wider networks that have emerged include Jesuit Services to Migrants (JSM) among the Iberian provinces and Astalli refugee service among centres in Italy.

The European level presents a rich tapestry of networks and bodies: JRS Europe,  Migration Desk, Jesuit European Office (OCIPE), the reflective networks EUROJESS and Scribani, pastoral insertion JEMP, groups such as Les Deux Rives (Muslim dialogue) and Jesuits with Roma, a common project in Malta, a global network on ecology, the Social Apostolate Delegation for overall liaison and a congress called Social Week to express overall identity.
 

• Upcoming Events

· 22nd March 2011:  Meeting of Advisory Council of CEP Social Delegate,
  Brussels
· 30th March 2011:  Migrations Conference, Brussels
· 9th April 2011:  Meeting of Province Social Delegates, Paris.
· 23 – 27 August 2011: EUROJESS Congress “Global Governance in Crisis”,
  Geneva
 

• Province Social Delegates

Click here to get a comprehensive list of the Province Social Delegates.
 

• CEP Social Delegate Advisory Council

Frank Turner, Giacomo Costa, Josep Buades Fuster, Michael Schoepf, Andreas Gösele

Brendan MacPartlin
Social Delegate of the CEP