EVERYBODY'S CHALLENGE - Jesuit Refugee Service | USA

chapter two
The foundation of JRS
We walked over to the mother house of the Missionaries
of Charity... Mother Teresa quietly walked
into the room... we had a vigorous exchange of
views... I could not accept her views on the role of
Jesuits – “Continue looking after the rich, it is what
you know best”... Before leaving I gave Mother
Teresa a copy of the Decrees in our last General
Congregation and wrote the following dedication
in it: “With the request that you pray for all Jesuits
that they may work with the poor and oppressed
with greater love and dedication. And please pray
for me that I may help them to do this in some small
way.” (1976)
...Next came a two day consultation on the refugee
problem for which I was directly responsible. It was
attended by Fr General with six members of his
Curia staff and seven Jesuits from outside who had
direct experience or knowledge of refugee work...
the result was the setting up of the JRS in the Curia
as an adjunct to my own Secretariat. (1980)
Michael Campbell-Johnston SJ
27