by Jenny Cafiso

There is an image on page 6  of this newsletter which struck me deeply. For me, it summarizes the problem with the state of the world today and why we need ecological justice. In the image, you can see children and their teacher in a classroom in the Philippines, carrying out their lesson with their feet deep in water. They seem oblivious to the flooding, and the perils of stagnant water. The image also speaks volumes about the determination of the students and their families and the commitment of the teachers to education no matter what.

Unfortunately, this is a reality faced by many people as the effects of climate change and ecological damage are felt around the world. As we read in the cover article, it is those living on the margins of society and in the Global South who are affected most severely. This demands a response that is rooted in human dignity and respect for our common home.

In Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), published on May 25, 2026, he devoted a section on the principle of social justice, which he described as “a concrete way of following Jesus and remaining faithful to the Gospel.” The Pope underscored the need to “recognize that injustices do not arise solely from the wrong choices of individuals, but also from structures, mechanisms and economic and cultural systems that produce inequality almost automatically.”  He referred to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST) as "living wisdom" to safeguard human dignity, protect the vulnerable, and address inequalities. These are the principles that guide Canadian Jesuits International’s (CJI) response to the ecological crisis that we are living today.

In this spirit, this newsletter highlights the issue of ecological justice, which will be the focus of our education and advocacy campaign this fall. The cover story explores the meaning of ecological justice. We look at a Jesuit-led project in the Pan-Amazon that promotes care for our common home. A Jesuit from the Democratic Republic of the Congo discusses the impact of mining on communities.

We hope that these and other stories will inform and encourage you further to live out the CST with the poor and marginalized that we serve in the Global South.

I take this occasion to let you know that after 23 rich and inspiring years as Executive Director at CJI, I have informed the CJI Board and staff that I will be stepping down from my position at the end of 2026.

You can read my full statement here. 

This isn’t goodbye yet. Over the next few months, we will have the opportunity to talk, meet and reflect, and be grateful together, as well as dream. You will hear from me again before I pass the baton to my successor.