Jesuit Talk

There is discussion here and there about the future of the leadership of the Jesuits. It's sort of convoluted, but the Society's Superior General is said to have met with Benedict many times over the past months, and the decision has been made to convene a General Convention in 2008:

Unlike practically every other religious community in the church, Ignatius designed his Society as a counterpoint to the capitular model; that is, it does not convene for plenary meetings on a fixed schedule.

The General Congregation, as the Jesuit convocation is known, is called either at the death of a Superior General to elect his successor, or at the discretion of a General who wishes to convoke the community to hear its mind on salient issues. For example, the 32nd General Congregation in 1975 was convoked to examine the Jesuit mission ten years following the Second Vatican Council -- its emphasis on social justice crystallized much of the initiative for which the Society was called to heel six years later. The last GC, also an extraordinary one, was held in 1995. Between the Provincials, who sit on it by virtue of their office, and elected delegates from the provinces, the total membership of a modern GC numbers around 200.

At a private audience granted to Kolvenbach on 11 June 2005, sources within the Society tell Whispers that the Father-General requested Benedict XVI's input on consulting with the Jesuit provincials worldwide on the "possible" calling of a General Congregation in 2008, the business of which which would "possibly" include the election of his successor as Superior General.

Catholic Outsider has several more posts on the matter, which spill over into discussions of the Society's relationship to the Pope. Interesting.

Comments

[Dave Wells]

From what I've been reading over at "First Things," I think it's time for the Holy Father to suppress the Jesuits once again.

[Maureen]

Nah. Just make Fr. Mitch Pacwa or Brother Consolmagno the new head Jesuits, and pack the convention with tons of the more faithful guys. Heh, heh.

Seriously, though, I think the Church does need the Jesuits. It just needs more of the Jesuits a little more on task, and a little more faithful to the Pope and the Magisterium instead of whatever they dreamed up this morning. If they could just get their spiritual guns all pointed in the proper direction, they could do some pretty amazing things for God. They're not a stupid bunch. They just need reforming.

[Maureen]

Here's a recent good thing started by the Jesuits:

http://www.ilvc.org/
Ignatian Lay Volunteer Corps

It puts together retired people with useful skills and communities that need help. The retired people work a few days a week, and meet other days for prayer; they commit to do this for a year.

Sounds like a good use of valuable human resources to me.

[Michael Hugo]

Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 3, Article 7, SubSection 5, Heading 2

Catholic Catechism

It all depends on whether we believe what the Church teaches. Sin is sin. But does sin have a penalty? If it does, this seems pretty serious. If, on the other hand, Christian unity is more important than worrying about someone's salvation (from what???), the Church seems to be saying that divorce/remarrying is only an issue with Catholics.

Since Eucharist is not required for salvation, then...

Hey, I have no idea. Someone else try to explain it...

[Michael Hugo]

Oops. Sorry, wrong post...

[Robin]

While attempting to solidify my decision to convert I have been attending a parish run by Jesuits. I have been impressed by the intellectual depth of their sermons, but not so impressed by the prayers of the people that sounded like they were drafted by the DNC.

[Michael Hugo]

Robin,

You are right on. I am a Catholic of 48 years, and I couldn't have said it nearly as well. It is the sad intrusion of politics in EVERY aspect of our lives.

The spirit of rebellion is as old as man, so we find it in the Church as well.

There are great Catholics out there, tho. I pray you find them and that your new walk is brilliant and joyous.

The Church isn't a "better club". And people that enter the Church by choice, instead of by birth, are not "junior" or lacking seniority. Very often, and maybe even nearly always, converts are the new salt bringing life into the Church.

I truly thank God you're here!

Phil 1:3