Xavier Jeyaraj, SJ

It will be almost five years since we, as Jesuits, discerned and were missioned to work on the four Universal Apostolic Preferences (UAPs), one of which was ‘care for our common home’ (UAP4). In light of what Pope Francis has done with LD after eight years of LS, it is an opportune moment for us Jesuits to review where we are now on our four apostolic preferences.

At a time when people are trying to stay alive amidst a persistent covid-19 pandemic for a little more than two years, the theme of Achieving social justice through formal employment for the World Day of Social Justice on 20th February seems to be a fanciful utopian dream from the ivory tower of the sleeping global giant, United Nations.

The general feeling was that the option for the poor and the option for the earth were inseparable, as environmental degradation particularly affected the poorest more than others.