The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in the Philippines, together with the JRS Asia Pacific Director for Climate and Forced Displacement, joined the Diocesan Pastoral Council meeting of the Diocese of Iligan on May 27, 2025, to introduce a new collaborative initiative addressing climate and displacement. Bishop Jose Rapadas and members of the Pastoral Council welcomed the presentation and expressed their support.

The presentation began with an introduction to the history and mission of JRS, both globally and in the Philippines, highlighting its long-standing commitment to serving refugees and displaced populations. JRS then introduced the new project entitled “Communities Reflecting on their Experience of the Environment and Displacement (CREED),” which will be implemented in partnership with the Diocese.

The CREED Project seeks to accompany Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) in their journey toward becoming Basic Ecological Communities. It aims to deepen understanding of how faith influences the response of climate-displaced communities while also contributing to theological reflection on faith, ecology, and displacement. The project will be implemented in selected parishes of Iligan City, specifically in Pala-o, Mandulog, Upper Tominobo, and Buru-un.

During the discussion, Diocesan representatives emphasized the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability in the partnership, drawing from past experiences during the Marawi Siege. JRS affirmed its commitment to a genuine partnership, highlighting the active role of BECs in prayer and reflection alongside JRS’ responsibility in accompanying the process.

Bishop Rapadas described the initiative as a pioneering effort, calling it a potential model for ecological advocacy through BECs. He noted that while no concrete models yet exist, this experience in Iligan could inspire other parishes and even be shared at the level of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). “Journeying with displaced communities is something priceless,” he said, affirming that solidarity and accompaniment lie at the heart of this mission.

Through CREED, JRS and the Diocese of Iligan hope to strengthen faith-based ecological responses and support communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.