An 83-year-old Filipino Jesuit's mission among poor Muslims and displaced southerners

Br. Nebres, a former lecturer and rector of a university in Manila, continues-despite his age-to help the poor in the southern Philippines, a predominantly Muslim region.

Manila (AsiaNews) - Br. Bienvenido F. Nebres, former provincial superior of the Jesuits, regularly travels to Maguindanao, Marawi and Sulu with a very specific mission: to feed the hungry and improve the quality of education in these peripheral and remote majority areas Muslim.

He also helps to rebuild war-torn homes.Fr. Nebres was also a professor and president of the “Ateneo de Manila” University in the Philippine capital, run by the Jesuits. And he received the 2011 National Scientist Award for his contributions to education from the Philippine government.

Recently, during the conference from October 17 to 20 in Cebu City, Father Nebres received the 2023 “Pro Deo et Patria” (for God and Fatherland) Award conferred by the Catholic Education Association of the Philippines (CEAP). Despite his age, he is still ready and willing to bring hope and help to the weakest sections of the population in Mindanao, in the south of the Philippines.

Various agencies and ecclesial congregations, including Jesuits and civil society groups, are doing their best to help people in need in those territories where a complex conflict, involving six armed groups and numerous militia units, has led to instability and to competition between local elites for power, with the consequent impoverishment of civilians and lack of work and education opportunities.

Furthermore, the Marawi conflict began almost immediately after fighting broke out in May 2017 between government troops and ISIS-linked terrorist groups. Over 600 thousand people had to leave their homes due to the conflict which lasted until October 2017, the effects of which are still felt today.

Against the backdrop of the socio-political tensions of Mindanao, with the support of Jesuits and volunteers, Br. Nebres and other brothers are committed to feeding the hungry and improving the quality of education by building schools but also homes for people.

“Our humble service is to reach the poorest people in the suburbs - said Br. Nebres -. We have to face many challenges, but we love doing what we are doing, faithful to the words of Pope Francis."

Appreciating the efforts of Br. Nebres, fr. Marlito G. Ocon, another Jesuit, said: “It is truly wonderful and amazing that at the age of 83 he still has the passion and energy to go into those difficult and sometimes dangerous areas. He remains a man on a mission and with a strong passion for social justice."