October 28, 2017
Nine Jesuits from the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) were ordained on October 28, 2017 at the Church of the Gesù, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines. Jerome I. Asunto, SJ (PHI), Firmo N. Bargayo, Jr., SJ (PHI), Lee Huen Kwan John, SJ (KOR), Hyunbai Joseph Han, SJ (KOR), Jung Hoikang Peter, SJ (KOR), Kim, Ju-chan, SJ (KOR), Lucien Emil Susantha, SJ (SRI), Anthony Nguyen Ngoc Triem, SJ (VIE), and Pham Cong Tung, SJ (VIE) were ordained by Most Rev. Antonio J. Ledesma, SJ, DD , Archbishop of Cagayan de Oro.
In his homily, Archbishop Ledesma urged the newly-ordained deacons to be faithful in the face of challenges and adversities while remaining humble witnesses of Christ in the world. Archbishop Ledesma likened them to the Interlocking Compressed Earth Blocks (ICEB) which were used in the rehabilitation of typhoon-ravaged communities in Cagayan de Oro back in 2011. The ICEB technology, according to him, was chosen because it was durable, cost-efficient, and solid. The deacons ought to be “interlocking,” as well, in the sense that they must promote communion in the Church. He also described them to be “compressed” which point to the solid Jesuit formation they underwent over the years.
THE NINE DEACONS
Jereme Ibale Asunto, SJ, 36 hails from Tagbilaran, City, Bohol. He studied Business Management at the University of the Philippines-Cebu. He entered the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Quezon City on May 30, 2007. His past assignments include teaching at the Miriam Adult Education Program of Miriam College and staff at the Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan. He did regency at Ateneo de Zamboanga University where he taught Christian Living to high school students. He is currently finishing his STB at the Loyola School of Theology and Masters in Theological Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Photo by Sch. Al San Buenaventura, SJ
Firmo Nives Bargayo, Jr. SJ, 38 is from General Santos City, Philippines. He finished BS Accountancy at the Mindanao State University-General Santos City. He was a full-time missionary of the Youth for Christ (Couples for Christ) charismatic community prior to entering the Jesuits. He entered the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Quezon City on May 30, 2006. For regency, he was assigned in Cambodia where he worked with the Jesuit Service Cambodia and served as adviser of the Rural Development Ang Snoul (RDAS). Returning from regency, he was appointed the Associate Director of Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan based in Loyola House of Studies. He is finishing his MA in Theological Studies at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Lee Huen Kwan John, SJ, 37, was born and raised in Seoul. He studied biology at Konkuk University in Seoul. After graduation, he joined the Society of Jesus in 2008, studied philosophy and theology at Sogang University and earned his master’s degree in philosophy. He did his regency in Sogang as a campus minister. After finishing his regency, he moved to the Philippines in order to continue his theological study and to earn another master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Hyunbai Joseph Han, SJ, 36, was born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Toronto, Canada. He immigrated to Canada when he was 14 years old. He studied economics at York University in Toronto. In 2008, Hyunbai joined in the Korea province of the Society Jesus. After the novitiate in St. Stanislaus Kostka, Suwon, Hyunbai studied philosophy and theology for three years at Sogang University in Seoul. Next, he was assigned to Cambodia for his regency. He spent two years in Banteay Prieb in Phnom Penh. Banteay Prieb is a training center and home for young people with disabilities. He then studied theology at Sogang University for two years. Now he is finishing theology at Loyola School of Theology.
Jung Hoikang Peter, SJ, 35, was born in Kwangju, southern South Korea. After his college graduation in 2008, he joined the Korea province of the Society of Jesus. After his novitiate formation, he studied philosophy and theology at Sogang University. He was assigned to the youth ministry for his regency. At present, he is finishing his theology studies at Loyola School of Theology.
Kim, Ju-chan, SJ, 40, was born and raised in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang Province. He studied Electrical Engineering at Kyeongnam University (BS) and at Pusan National University (MS). Prior to entering the Jesuits, he worked for Korea Automotive Research Institute as a research engineer. He entered the novitiate in 2008. At present, he is finishing his theology studies at Loyola School of Theology.
Pham Cong Tung, SJ, 33, is from the Dongnai province of Vietnam. He studied Oriental Study in Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Saigon, Vietnam. In 2004 he joined the candidacy house of the Society of Jesus and in 2006 entered the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Thu-duc, Saigon. He studied philosophy at St. Joseph Jesuit Scholasticate in Saigon, Vietnam. After three years of studying philosophy Br. Tung did his regency as an assistant to the minister and as a minister of Sacred Heart novitiate for two years. In 2014 he began his theology studies at Loyola School of Theology.
Anthony Nguyen Ngoc Triem, SJ, 37, is from the Nghe An province, Vietnam. He studied Bachelor of Laws in Hue University of Science. He joined the Christian Life Community while studying at the university. He was admitted to the Sacred Heart Novitiate of the Society of Jesus in 2006. After a year of regency, he was missioned to become the assistant to the Director of the Candidacy House in Vietnam. At present, he is finishing his theology studies at Loyola School of Theology.
Lucien Emil Susantha, SJ, 34, is from Sri Lanka. He joined the Society of Jesus in 2005. After finishing the novitiate in 2009 in Daham Sihila, he studied Philosophy at Ampitiya National Seminary. He learned Carnatic music for two years while doing his regency in 2012. At present, he is finishing his theology studies at Loyola School of Theology.
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