The Jesuit Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat (SJES) of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia (JCSA) successfully conducted its South Asia Convention – 2026 from 15 to 17 July 2026 at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur, Kodaikanal, hosted by the Madurai Jesuit Province. Centred on the theme “Our Role in Nation Building,” the three-day convention brought together 110 participants, including 82 Jesuits and 28 Mission Partners, representing Jesuit Provinces across South Asia.
The Convention commenced on 15 July with the inaugural ceremony presided over by Fr. Stanislaus D’Souza, SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference of South Asia. Mr. R. Sachithanantham, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, the Dindigul Lok Sabha Constituency, inaugurated the Convention and delivered the inaugural address. Fr. Thomas Amirtham, SJ, Provincial of the Madurai Jesuit Province and Chairperson of the South Zone, felicitated the gathering. Fr. A. Santhanam Arockiasamy, SJ, Convener of the Convention, welcomed the participants, while Fr. Joseph Antony Samy, SJ, Superior of Sacred Heart College, extended the formal welcome. Fr. Jerald D’Souza, SJ, Secretary of SJES–South Asia, introduced the objectives and dynamics of the Convention, and the inaugural session concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Fr. Vargheesh Antony, SJ.
The first one-and-a-half days were devoted to keynote presentations by eminent public intellectuals, social activists and Jesuit leaders, who offered critical reflections on the challenges facing India and the wider world. Delivering the inaugural address, Mr. R. Sachithanantham, MP., emphasized the urgent need to safeguard India’s constitutional values and democratic institutions. He encouraged Jesuits to strengthen grassroots engagement by promoting constitutional awareness, educating citizens about their rights, organizing local communities and fostering peaceful democratic participation. Fr. Stanislaus D’Souza, SJ (POSA) reflected on the rapidly changing global context marked by wars, ecological degradation, economic inequality, migration, social polarization, youth uncertainty and the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence. Drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIV’s Magnifica Humanitas, he called for renewed commitment to solidarity, synodality and integral human development.
Adv. Dr. V. Suresh, Senior Advocate and National General Secretary of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), examined the present condition of Indian democracy and expressed concern over the systematic weakening of democratic institutions. Environmental activist Dr. S. P. Udayakumar, Convenor of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy, challenged participants to move beyond the traditional idea of nation building towards “planet building.”
The Convention also featured a special session titled “Jesuit Veterans – Jesuits in Action,” during which senior Jesuits Paul Michael Raj (MDU), Stanislaus Tirkey (MAP) and Tom Kavala (DUM) shared their rich experiences and insights gained from decades of commitment to the social apostolate. Participants were introduced to the diverse initiatives of the SJES networks through presentations by the Secretaries of Ecology, Migration, Justice in Mining, Right to Education, JEMAI, Youth Ministry, Lokmanch, ISI Delhi, and ISI Bengaluru. Mission Partners from different zones also shared their grassroots experiences and reflected on their collaboration with Jesuits.
The Convention concluded with group discussions, thematic reflections, and collaborative planning that identified key priorities for the Jesuit social apostolate across South Asia. Participants emphasized nurturing constitutional values among youth, strengthening collaboration with people’s movements and civil society, and using media for social transformation. They also highlighted the need to develop grassroots leadership, strengthen research and documentation, and integrate indigenous and ecological wisdom into ministries. Revitalizing democratic institutions, expanding advocacy networks and mobilizing local resources emerged as important areas of focus.
The Convention concluded with a delightful Kodai Darshan, an opportunity to experience the serenity of Kodaikanal. The participants expressed their gratitude for the warm hospitality and meticulous arrangements extended by the Madurai Jesuit Province, especially through the MDU Social Action Commission, the Sacred Heart College Community, Shembaganur, and the dedicated team of PEAK (People’s Education and Action in Kodaikanal), whose generous service greatly enriched the Convention experience.
Sch Chris Patrick Pio, Madurai Province
