Loyola (Fides Service) – At Loyola Cathedral in Spain with a solemn concelebration of Mass presided by Father Peter Hans Kolvenbach, Preposito General of the Society of Jesus, the 69th congregation of Jesuit procurators which opened on 18 September come to a close.
“During these days the congregation of procurators came together to listen obediently to the Word in order to discern, as companions of Jesus, where we put obstacles in the way of his call, and how we can better serve the mission to ‘assist souls’ in the Church and in the world today” Father Kolvenbach said. “This congregation of procurators for which we give thanks to God with this Eucharist – with its discussion and exchange placed the Society once again totally in the hands of the Lord”.
With a wide majority the 97 members rejected the convocation in a short time of a General Congregation. The decision was reached after long sessions of exchange of opinions on the present situation of the Society of Jesus in the world. Themes chosen for careful reflection in the plenary sessions, after they had been discussed in language groups included: Jesuits and Laity; Formation of young Jesuits; Present government of the Society of Jesus; Globalisation and its impact on Jesuits’ life, government and work; A desire to grow in unity with the Church.
The congregation of Jesuit procurators has no legislative powers but all the same it presented more than 100 recommendations to the Father General who assured the procurators that he and his assistants would carefully examine all recommendations and proposals. After this the Society will be informed of the decisions taken. Today the Society of Jesus is present in 112 different countries with about 20,400 members divided in 10 assistancies and 85 provinces. On 1 January 2003 the Society had 929 novices. SL (Fides Service 24/9/2003 EM lines 22 Words: 324)