Civiltà Cattolica: Highly negative assessment on status of religious freedom in Russia
Rome, 19 December 2002 (CWNews) -- The prestigious Jesuit magazine Civilta Cattolica has delivered a highly negative assessment on the status of religious freedom in Russia. It charges that Russia political leaders are cooperating with the Russian Orthodox hierarchy in an effort to "decapitate" Catholic communities. The magazine refers to a "campaign of persecution" against the Catholic Church in Russia.
The magazine cites the "grave and repeated acts" by which the Russian government has expelled one Catholic bishop and several priest, leaving their people without "the natural and legitimate spiritual guides." Those acts, Civilta Cattolica grimly comments, "recall to our memory the times of Communist persecution, which we thought were finally over."
Jesuits to launch "African Jesuit AIDS Network" as a common and shared work
Nairobi, 9 December 2002 – Tomorrow, 10 December and International Human Rights Day, AJAN – the African Jesuit AIDS Network - will be launched publicly at the 8th Pan-African Assembly of the International Movement of Catholic Students (IMCS – Pax Romana) in Lomé, Togo. “In solidarity against stigma and for the prevention of AIDS on our campuses” is the major aim of the Assembly.
AJAN is an initiative taken by the Major Superiors of the Society of Jesus in Africa and Madagascar (JESAM). At their meeting last June in Abidjan, the Jesuit Superiors decided to intensify the struggle against AIDS by setting up AJAN as a common and shared work.
In each African country where Jesuits are, AJAN hopes to develop an appropriate social ministry
- that is deeply-rooted amongst those who suffer and accompanies those who care for them;
- that educates to responsibility and prevention;
- that is sensitive to the local culture, faith and spirituality; and
- that collaborates widely with others.
The main office of AJAN is located in Nairobi, Kenya. It is publishing a monthly electronic newsletter "AJANews" in English and French. Subscription is free on request at <AJANews@jesuits.ca>.
German Jesuit starts anti-Santa campaign
Frankfurt (Ananova), 4 December 2002 -- Eckhard Bieger of Frankfurt's Jesuits has had stickers printed that proclaim a "Santa-free area". Looking like a traffic sign, they show a Santa figure dressed in red, with a bar across the image. Bieger told the Frankfurter Rundschau newspaper he was trying to show the difference between Saint Nicholas as a traditional figure and Santa Claus as a marketing tool.
According to German tradition, Saint Nicholas goes from house to house on the night of December 5 and puts sweets in the boots of children who have been good. This tradition dates back to St. Nicholas, who was the bishop of Myra in the fourth century.
Jesuits to commemorate worldwide Francis Xavier
Brussels, 2 December 2002 – Jesuits are celebrating tomorrow the 450th anniversary of Saint Francis Xavier’s death. Xavier was one of the first companions of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus. He left for India in 1541, went to Japan in 1549 and died on the Island of Sancian near the coast of China on 3 December 1552. Canonized with St. Ignatius in 1622 St. Francis Xavier is considered the greatest missionary since the time of the Apostles.
India has put together the 1950th anniversary of the arrival of Saint Thomas Apostle and the anniversary of Xavier’s death. On 16-17 November a solemn celebration in Kerala was presided by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe whom the Pope has appointed his Extraordinary Legate. In Spain the celebration period goes from November 29 to December 8. During that time visitors will be admitted to parts of Xavier’s castle -where Francis was born- which are ordinarily off limits. In Rome the General Superior, Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, will attend a special Eucharistic celebration at the Gesù Church.
Popoli: Intervista al Superiore generale dei gesuiti padre Peter-Hans Kolvenbach
Jesuits study European Convention
Brussels, 24 November 2002 – Seven Jesuits and one lay collaborator were together in Brussels this weekend to study the ongoing European Convention's proceedings. The seminar was an initiative of Ocipe (The Catholic European Study and Information Centre). After an introduction on the history and method of the Convention by Ocipe Director Pierre de Charentenay, the participants discussed the first draft of the so called "Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe". They also debate the final report of six working groups.
A similar process of growing European unity is going on with the thirty Jesuit Provinces and Regions in Europe. As much as possible Ocipe will accompany and support this process. In June 2003 a special workshop on this topic will be organized in Brussels.
JRS to put "a human face" on the refugee and migrant
Rome, 12 November 2002 – In his address to Third Committee of the General Assembly on the Report of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 8 November, Archbishop Renato Martino, head of the Holy See Permanent Observer Delegation to the United Nations, spoke on refugees and on human rights. He mentioned explicitly the "Jesuit Refugee Service" as one of the important agencies of the Catholic Church "to serve the needs of many thousands of people".
" The Holy See assures that currently, the Catholic Church, through a variety of agencies, most particularly the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People, The Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Caritas Internationalis and its national offices, Catholic Relief Services, and the Jesuit Refugee Service, operates centres throughout the world, serving the needs of many thousands of people. All these agencies and institutions continue to ‘put a human face’ on the refugee and migrant, not dealing with quotas or numbers but reaching out to help people in need.", Martino said.
Fr General to attend the celebrations for 75 years of Ranchi Archdiocese
Rome, 6 November 2002 – Fr General Peter-Hans Kolvenbach will leave tomorrow for India where he will visit the Ranchi Province (Bihar, Northern India), attend the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the Archdiocese, meet the Jesuits of the Hazaribag Province, and return to Ranchi to preside over the meeting of Major Superiors of the South Asia Assistancy. He is expected back in Rome on 21 November.
The history of Ranchi Archdiocese is closely linked to the Society of Jesus. The real impetus for the evangelization came from Belgian Jesuit Constant Lievens, who arrived at Doranda on 18 March 1885. He is often called the Apostle of Chotanagpur. The Ranchi diocese was established in 1927 with Msgr. Louis Van Hoeck, SJ, as the first bishop. Seventy-five years later, the original Ranchi Diocese has been divided into 14 Dioceses including the present Archdiocese of Ranchi with Archbishop Telesphore P. Toppo (63).
Ranchi Archdiocese
Catholic Bishops' Conference of India
Constant Lievens
78 new Jesuit Novices for the whole of Europe in 2002
Brussels, 30 October 2002 – For the whole of the 30 Jesuits Provinces in Europe 78 new novices, 2 more than last year, enter the Society of Jesus in 2002. Front runner remains Poland: both provinces together take 23 per cent of all new European novices, 11 in the Greater Poland Province and 7 in the South Poland Province. The six provinces of Spain have together 10 new novices and Italy has 7. Striking is the high number of new entries in the Independent Russian Region: 7 new novices join the 3 novices of the second year. Besides the 78 new novices, there are for the whole of Europe 62 novices who start the second year. 58 novices took their first vows. In addition, the Near East Province (Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey), also belonging to the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials, has 5 new novices.
See table Novices in Europe 2002
CEP President: European Jesuits to aim for more fraternal unity
Vienna, 27 October 2002 – In his opening speech at the 8th General Assembly of the Conference of European Provincials (CEP) on Sunday, the President, Belgian Jesuit Mark Rotsaert, stressed the growing importance of this European structure. It gathers all Major Superiors from about thirty Jesuits provinces, vice-provinces and regions in Europe, joined by those of North Africa and the Near East. For one week they are together at the Kardinal-König-Haus in Lainz, Vienna.
"We will of course have our disagreements on some points and questions about others but my hope is that, as at Lyon last year, we will be able to take some steps forward together in a spirit of fraternal unity'', Rotsaert said to the 45 participants.
The fact that the CEP has now a general assembly each year, in stead of every two years, and the decision of Father General that Mark Rotsaert will continue his job as CEP President on a full-time base from September 2003 show the growing importance and influence of the CEP.
Priorities for the near future remain the formation centres for young Jesuits, the common concern about the movement of peoples and the Jesuits presence in European junctions as Brussels and Strasbourg. The Provincial Congregations, which will be held in the next months, can be "an important moment for our Provinces and also a step towards more inter- and supra-provincial collaboration in Europe".
European Jesuit Major Superiors to hold their annual meeting in Vienna
Brussels, 23 October 2002 – The Jesuit Major Superiors from about thirty provinces all over Europe start tomorrow their annual meeting at the kardinal-könig-haus in Lainz, Vienna, Austria. The first three days they will meet in regional groups, the so called assistancies. From Sunday on they have the plenary assembly of the "Conference of European Provincials", starting with a situation report presented by the President, Belgian Jesuit Mark Rotsaert.
New Service for Jewish-Christian relations opens at the Gregoriana in Rome
Rome, 17 October 2002 – A new "International Jewish-Christian Library and Documentation Service" will be officially inaugurated today at the Gregoriana University in Rome. It is the result of an agreement between the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, which assumed since 1965 the responsibility for he SIDIC-Roma Center (Service International de Documentation Judéo-Chrétienne), and the Jesuit run Gregoriana. The new institute will include the SIDIC Library and Documentation as well as the "Cardinal Bea Centre for Judaic Studies" and collaborated closely with the Gregoriana's newly opened "Institute for the Studies of Religions and Cultures".
Jesuit schools scrutinise their role in today multimedia society (update)
Warsaw, 16 October 2002 -- The Fourth Congress of the Jesuit European Committee for Secondary Education (JECSE) for all Directors of Jesuit schools in Europe starts today at Konstancin Jeziorna, near Warsaw, Poland. It the first congress organised in a East European country. Theme of the congress is: "Education to live in a multimedia society. Educational, Ethical and social aspects". The 150 participants - from 20 European countries as well as from Egypt, Lebanon, USA and Canada - will search together, with the help of the expertise of Canadian Jesuit John Pungente (Jesuit Communication Project, Toronto), for elements of an Ignatian discernment in this field.
Message of Fr General, Peter-Hans Kolvenbach [English, Français, Español]
European Jesuits committed to serving as a bridge to Orthodoxy
Velehrad (Czech Republic), 10 October 2002 (VID) – "Commit resources in the ecumenical dialogue, because it is one of the vocations of the Society of Jesus and one of the great issues that the Church in Europe is committed to". A basic convergence was achieved on this leading idea among 46 Jesuits of 21 European Provinces, who met at the SS Cyril & Methodius Retreat House in Velehrad, 3-7 October, together with their General Superior, Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach. The theme in discussion was: “The Jesuits' Role in the Catholic-Orthodox Relationships in Europe: Past, Present and Future.”
For the future, it was stressed that the Society has to promote “forgiveness” as one “ecumenical methodology” to help the process of Christian unity. But the Society of Jesus especially has two important resources “that can develop play the role of bridge” between East and West: the Pontifical Institute of Oriental Studies and the Russian College, both in Rome, as well as through a close collaboration which can be further realized between the Aletti Center in Rome and the Olomuc and other Institutes in the Slovakia.
Slovenia to host the meeting of the European Jesuit Refugee Service
Celje, 8 October 2002 -- Members of European Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS-E) start their annual general meeting in Slovenia next Friday, 11 October 2002. The organizing team has decided to meet in Celje, one of the cities with many refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“This is the first time that the annual meeting of JRS-E will take place in Central-Eastern Europe”, says Fr. John Dardis, the Regional Director of JRS Europe. “It is of great importance to us that JRS helps refugees not only in Western-European countries but in those in the East as well. This year we will discuss our mandate and try to decide whether we should help even those refugees, who are not recognized as refugees by international law. Afterwards a seminar on management will follow in order to strengthen our capacities in reaching out to refugees.”
JRS is a world wide non-governmental organization, which accompanies refugees, serves them and advocates their cause. In Europe it is present in more than 20 countries.
More about JRS Slovenia: www.rkc.si/jrs
Father General to visit Jesuits in the Czech Republic
Rome, 1 October 2002 – Tomorrow Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach is travelling to the Czech Republic. After meeting the Jesuits in Prague, he will go to Velehrad where a Symposium on "The Role of the Jesuits in Catholic-Orthodox relation in Europe: present, past, future" will be held October 3-5. He will pay short visits to Brno, Olomouc and other places where Jesuits work, before returning to Rome on October 8.
More about the Jesuits in the Czech Republic: www.jesuit.cz
JRS Romania is opening an assistance and accommodation centre
Bucharest, 23 Sept 2002 – The Jesuit Refugee Service Romania announces the opening of the Social Centre Pedro Arrupe for tomorrow. The centre is the first of its kind, providing accommodation and assistance for refugees and migrants that have to deal with a serious crisis. JRS Romania will develop humanitarian assisting programs for the following categories of underprivileged people: refugees, people who receive conditioned or temporary protection, asylum seekers, migrants, repatriated persons and people without citizenship. Activities of psychological and social evaluation, emergency accommodation, complementary Romanian and English language courses, cultural guidance and PC operating courses will be organised. The Pedro Arrupe Centre is meant to show solidarity and to give hope for people who are forced to leave their country of origin and to find a place where they can live in peace and tolerance.
Cardinal Martini celebrates last Mass before retirement
Milan, 8 Sept. 2002 – Jesuit Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini celebrated his last Mass at the Duomo cathedral of Milan on Sunday before heading into retirement in Jerusalem, where he says he will dedicate himself to prayer. He has been serving in Milan since 1979 and is stepping down because of age.
"Love yourselves, one to the other. In that way, you will live in justice, forgiveness and peace," he told those gathered. "Our major contribution to peace in a world full of conflicts and threats, of new absurd conflicts, will be born from a heart that above all lives in forgiveness and peace."
Genoa Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi has been named to replace Martini. A welcoming ceremony for Tettamanzi will take place Sept. 29 in Milan.
JRS Europe asks to "tackle the refugee crisis at its roots"
Brussels, 6 September 2002 – The Jesuit Refugee Service - Europe (JRS) today broadly welcomed agreements reached at the Johannesburg summit on Sustainable Development.. However, insufficient progress was made on crucial steps for a major change in the refugee and migration situation.
'We have to begin to tackle the root causes of refugee and migration situations,' said European Regional Director of JRS, John Dardis. 'It is no longer good enough just to give aid in emergencies. What is needed is practical and targeted solutions. We know the causes, we know why people flee their countries: poverty, hunger, human rights abuses, war. Have we the will to implement the solutions? That is the question before us. Politicians in Europe are concerned about immigration and are in the process of erecting elaborate security systems. But the fundamental issue is the imbalance between North and South, rich and poor, developed and undeveloped countries. This has to be changed. Have we the will?'
To reduce the push factors of huge future migratory movements JRS-Europe asks the rich nations to look at trade policies especially where they concern agriculture. American and European policy on agricultural subsidies needs urgent attention.
More: www.jrseurope.org
Jesuit Delegation at Global Forum and World Summit on Sustainable Development (update)
Johannesburg, 21 August 2002 -- Around thirty Jesuits are gathering in Johannesburg (South Africa) in these days. This is how they introduce themselves to the public: "Our delegation at the WSSD represents the Jesuit mission of faith that does justice, the spirituality which sustains us, and the issues which Jesuits and colleagues work on in different parts of the world. Coming from a dozen countries with varied backgrounds and viewpoints, we all follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the service of the poor as our specific focus." Father General wrote to the delegates: "The coming seventeen days are a precious opportunity to struggle with very real issues of poverty, injustice and environmental degradation which afflict our world."
The delegation is made up of the African Jesuit AIDS Network, the Christian Life Communities, the Center of Concern (Washington), the Indian Social Institute (New Delhi), the International Jesuit Network for Development (IJND), the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), the Jesuits of South Africa, and the Social Justice Secretariat, at the General headquarters of the Society of Jesus in Rome, co-ordinates the social apostolate world-wide and publishes HEADLINES.
For our daily coverage of the Global Forum and the WSSD see <www.sjweb.info/sjs/wssd/index.cfm> and listen to <http://105live.vaticanradio.org>
Contacts:
African Jesuit AIDS Network: <aids@jesuits.ca> and <www.jesuitaids.net>
Christian Life Communities: <Maryeen.Maynard@eskom.co.za> (South-African coordinator) and <www.cvx-clc.net>
Center of Concern: <coc@coc.org> and <www.coc.org>
Indian Social Institute: <isi@unv.ernet.in> and <www.isidelhi.org>
International Jesuit Network for Development: <communications@ijnd.org> and <www.ijnd.org>
Jesuit Refugee Service: <pretoria@jesref.org> (for South Africa) and <www.jrs.net>
The Jesuits of South-Africa: <murrayhouse@icon.co.za> and <www.jesuits.org.za>
Social Justce Secretariat: <sjs@sjcuria.org> and <www.sjweb.info/sjs>
Jesuit Delegation at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg
Rome, 16 August 2002 – A Jesuit group of some thirty delegates is participating in the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg as well as in the parallel Global NGO Forum. It comprises representatives from the Center of Concern (Washington), the Christian Life Community (South Africa), the International Jesuit Network for Development, the Indian Social Institute (New Delhi), the South African Jesuits and the Social Justice Secretariat (Rome). The Global NGO Forum begins on 19 August and the WSSD itself on 26 August, and both run until 4 September.
"Few of the objectives of the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro have been realised, and more recent conferences on financing for development (Monterrey) and on food (Rome) have been very disappointing. The themes of Rio and Johannesburg -- finding a humane balance between economic growth, social development and environmental protection -- involve some of the world's biggest problems which no single country, company or organisation alone can solve. The United Nations remains the only world forum in which all countries are equally represented (one country one vote in the General Assembly). The sixteen days in Johannesburg are a precious opportunity to struggle with the real issues", says Canadian Jesuit Michael Czerny of the Social Justice Secretariat in Rome.
He also justifies the Jesuit involvement: "The millions who suffer most from these problems are people whom Jesuits typically work with: the poor, women, children and youth, farmers, indigenous people, workers and trade unions, migrants. They are the real reason for having a Jesuit delegation at Johannesburg, where few decisions may be taken and many important choices will be avoided. Since both the stakes and the risk of failure are so high, it's important to be there and give Christian witness, out of our Catholic faith and tradition, to respect for the dignity of each human being, the unity of the human family, the integrity of creation. Please join the Jesuit Delegation with your interest, prayers and solidarity".
More information: www.sjweb.info/sjs
Jesuit Priest Ordained by his Brother...
Novosibirsk, Russia, 10 August 2002 -- On Saturday 10 August 2002 Klemens Werth SJ was ordained to the priesthood in the Society of Jesus at the Transfiguration Cathedral of Novosibirsk. He is the first Russian Jesuit to be ordained to the priesthood in Russia since the creation of the Independent Region of Russia in 1992. But also worthy of mention, Klemens (32) was ordained by his brother, Joseph (49), also a Jesuit and since 1991 the Apostolic Administrator - and since 11 February 2002 the Bishop - of Novosibirsk.
The ordination ceremony was largely attended by the Werth family as well as by Jesuits and a good number of the local Catholic community. They all participated enthusiastically and happily in singing, praying and celebrating together. On Sunday morning Klemens will celebrate his first mass at the same Cathedral.
Novosibirsk is - after Moscow and St-Petersburg - the third city in the Russian Federation and one of the four Catholic dioceses. Jesuits have their noviciate there and run the Inigo Centre. At present the Jesuit Independent Russian Region includes geographically Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Bielorussia and Ukraine. It comprises 58 members, among them 25 from other Provinces. There are seven novices. Seven new men will enter the noviciate next September.
Laypeople trained for leadership positions in Jesuit schools
Warsaw, Poland, 3 August 2002 -- From July 10 through August 3, 2002, the International Jesuit Education Leadership Program for Central and Eastern Europe took place in Warsaw-Falenica (European Center for Communication and Culture). It is the fifth year of the Program aimed at preparation of laypeople for leadership positions in Jesuit schools. Teachers from Lithuania, Slovenia, Byelorussia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Albania introduced themselves with presentations of their counties, schools, and other educational institutions run by Jesuits.
Fr. Vincent J. Duminuco, S.J., and Fr. Fernando De La Puente, S.J., introduced participants in the tradition of Jesuit schools and the “mentoring” experience of Spanish schools. Everybody was really eager to learn more in order to achieve a better understanding of Jesuit education. The Eastern European team, led by Fr. Wojciech Żmudziński, S.J., offered all of the participants the practical experience of the methodology of the Ignatian pedagogical paradigm (IPP).
Every session leaves great hope in the hearts of the participants. This hope will certainly bring some serious development in building our schools’ communities, as well as relations, between schools; and hopefully encourage others to cooperate and build up possibilities for the future expansion of the Jesuit Apostolate of Education in the countries of former Soviet Union-dominated areas.
Teams of Eastern Europe trained for ministry of teaching
Gdynia (Poland), 1 August 2002 – Three teams of teachers from Slovenia, Lithuania and Poland, have been trained during the very first "Colloquium on the Ministry of Teaching" in Eastern Europe. They are now ready to organize similar training sessions at their schools and to lead other teachers throughout the following two years.
The idea of the Colloquium had its beginning in the United States of America, about twenty years ago. Last month the US team came to Poland for the first Colloquium for teachers from Jesuit schools and educational institutions in Lithuania, Slovenia, Hungary, Egypt and Poland. The training was organized at the Arrupe Centre in Gdynia.
Rwanda and Burundi to commemorate fifty years of Jesuit presence
Kigali, Rwanda, 21 July 2002 – In a letter to the members of the Jesuit region of Rwanda and Burundi, Fr Tite Mutemangando, Regional Superior, announced the commemoration of fifty years of Jesuit presence in both central African countries. In fact, in 1952-53 Jesuits started the project of a high school, first in Gatagara, Rwanda, and afterwards in Usumbura, Burundi. "This celebration may be a good opportunity for spiritual renewal and apostolic stimulus", Fr Mutemangando said.
Campion House at Osterley to close in 2004
London, 16 July 2002 -- In a letter to the British Province dated Monday 15th July Fr David Smolira, Provincial Superior, announced that Campion House, Osterley will close in two years’ time. Osterley is best known as a college for late vocations and this is coming to an end. As this pre-seminary course lasts for two years, it will be accepting its last intake this year. But since September 2000 Campion House has also developed a part-time programme to train lay people for ministry in the Church. This lay-ministry course is going to continue, and hopefully expand, but on different premises, perhaps nearer central London, when the Osterley site closes. Retreats and conferences will continue be hosted until the end of 2003 and possibly the early part of 2004. The Jesuit Refugee Service which moved its UK offices to Osterley three years ago, will soon be looking new office space. In the course of the next year, thanksgiving celebrations are planned for all that has been accomplished at Campion House over the last ninety years.
Ukrainian Jesuit Jan Beyzym will be beatified
Rome, 15 July 2002 -- Pope John Paul II has approved the beatification cause of Jesuit Father Jan Beyzym (1850-1912) born in today’s Ukraine who joined the Society at the Stara Wies novitiate in 1872 and later on, in 1898, was missioned to Madagascar where he worked for 13 years in the leprosarium of Ambahivuraka, near Tananarive. Although no official announcement has been made, it seems that the beatification ceremony will take place on August 18 during the Pope's visit to Poland.
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Pope John Paul II accepts the resignation of Jesuit Cardinal Martini
Milano, 11 July 2002 -- Pope John Paul II accepted today the resignation of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini from the pastoral care of the archdiocese of Milan upon having reached the age limit. He will be succeeded by Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi, the present Archbishop of Genova. In a letter to his "Carissimi fedeli Ambrosiani" Martini thanks the pope and welcomes his successor.
Martini entered the Society of Jesus in 1944 and was trained as a Scripture scholar. In 1978 he became Rector of the Gregorian University in Rome. On 29 December 1979 Pope John Paul II appointed him as Archbishop of Milan. Martini was at the head of Europe's largest archdiocese for more that twenty years. Last year already he said he would like to retire to the Holy Land, to continue studying the Bible, his lifelong passion.
Jesuit Cardinal Martini invites parents not to be afraid to have sons become priest
Milano, 4 July 2002 (VID) – In a letter to the parents of his archdiocese Jesuit Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, now in the final days of his mandate as Archbishop of Milan, addressed the question of vocations. He stated that parents should not only know how to undertake a vigorous discourse of education with their children but should also be able to discuss the vocation of priests and religious.
There are things that make the life of a priest beautiful and unique and parents therefore should not be afraid if their sons answer the call of the priestly vocation and the consecrated life should not be considered a choice of unhappiness, Martini said.
The Cardinal himself testifies: "The priest as a matter of fact especially lives with relationships: he devotes his time to people. He does not care about things, about papers, of money, if not secondarily. He spends his time meeting people: children and the elderly, young people and adults, the sick and the healthy, those who love him and help him and those who criticize him, scoff at him and demand things from him. It is an extraordinary human experience. And he meets people not to sell them anything, not to draw some advantage from them, not for curiosity not as if he were meeting a customer, but in order to take care of their lives, of their vocation to joy, of their being children of God'.
Spanish Jesuit dies in car accident in Russia
Moscow, 1 July 2002 -- Spanish Jesuit Federico Gonzale-Fierro Botas (59) died on the way to a hospital Friday after the car carrying him and three Russian companions veered off a highway and overturned near Lubyanka village, according to a Jesuit source in Moscow. The three Russians — a Catholic priest and two theological students — escaped uninjured. Gonzale-Fierro had gone to Lubyanka in order visit the catholic community after completing the semester long teaching at St. Thomas Aquinas College, Moscow.
JRS: G8 Summit at Kananaskis is ‘not a good summit for refugees’
Brussels, 28 June 2002 -- In a statement issued today the Jesuit Refugee Service Europe calls the G8 Summit "not a good summit for refugees". Steps vital for the future of Africa and which could have helped to resolve the refugee crisis in many countries did not get approval at the G8 summit.
‘The results are disappointing and much more was needed’ said JRS Europe director John Dardis. ‘Europe is prepared to spend billions of euros on control of its borders but can’t find the money to address the root causes of migration. When you put the results of the G8 summit with the results from the Seville summit, it has not been a good month for refugees.’
Jesuit Conference establishes new African Jesuit AIDS Network
Rome, 21 June 2002 – In a letter to all Major Superiors Father General announces the establishment of an African Jesuit AIDS Network. It has been set up by the Conference of Jesuit Superiors of Africa and Madagascar (JESAM). Canadian Jesuit Fr Michael Czerny will serve as coordinator. " Everyone agrees on both the urgency and the immensity of the task, so I share this piece of news with you and the whole Society in order to solicit your prayer, concern and support in every way possible. I count on the Network itself to inform us about the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the responses which Jesuits and colleagues are making with the help of God’s grace and the intercession of St. Aloysius Gonzaga, patron of HIV/AIDS sufferers and of all who care for them", Fr General explains.
JRS proposes alternative action plan for EU Seville proposals
Brussels, 18 June 2002 -- Proposals which aim to tighten border security in Europe and to send back illegal immigrants are too narrow and put the lives of refugees at risk says refugee agency JRS. In addition, EU plans for "immediate political reaction" against the source countries of illegal immigrants raise serious questions.
"We are very concerned about the proposals on the table for the Seville summit later this week", said Fr John Dardis, JRS Europe Director. "While I am aware that governments are trying to control their borders, I think they need to take stock of the human rights problems which will be caused by some of the new measures. Also, most of the proposals place far too much stress on short term border control and do not have a long term view."
JRS emphasises that tighter border controls on their own will not stop illegal migration. Instead it will drive people into hands of traffickers, forcing them underground if and when they finally get to a European country. JRS emphasises the importance of a longer-term solution. Without a comprehensive approach, European governments risk moving from one temporary solution to another.
See the JRS alternative 5 point action plan at www.jrseurope.org.
Jesuits hold international encounter on liturgy
Rome, 17 June 2002 -- An international meeting on the topic of "The Liturgical Reforms of the Second Vatican Council and the Society of Jesus" starts today at the General's Curia in Rome. 122 Jesuit specialists (along with several non-Jesuit collaborators) from 44 counries participate in this consultation.Cardinal Godfried Danneels, Archbishop of Malines-Brussel will give the keynote address. On June 22 Father Kolvenbach will deliver the closing speech: "Looking to the Future".
First non-Jesuit Director for JRS-UK
London, 11 June 2002 -- The Jesuit Refugee Service in the UK has appointed a new director, Louise Zanre – its first non-Jesuit director. Louise, who has been working for JRS for nearly two years, will take up her appointment in September. The new appointment is part of a restructuring of JRS in the UK which includes the setting up of a governing body responsible to the Provincial. Among the members of this body will be Keith McMillan SJ, David Rhys-Jones (a solicitor) and Sr Mary Ann Loughry RSM (Pedro Arrupe Tutor at the Refugee Study Centre in Oxford). It is also planned that one place on the governing body be filled by an asylum-seeker. The governing body will also liaise closely with John Dardis SJ, the European Director of JRS.
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Fr General to attend the meeting of African Major Superiors in Abidjan
Rome, 31 May 2002 -- Father General is travelling to the Ivory Coast, 1-9 June, to attend the meeting of the Major Superiors of Africa. During his stay, he will bless the corner stone of the Abidjan Theologate which will open next year for students of theology in French.
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Fr General argues the intellectual quality of each Jesuit work
Krakow (Poland), 20 May 2002 – In a discourse at the Ignatianum Jesuit University School of Philosophy and Education in Krakow, Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, argued "the distinctive importance of the intellectual quality" of each Jesuit work, quoting the last General Congregation (1995). This requirement goes back to Saint Ignatius himself, but needs to be adapted to the present-day situation as well as an healthy critical attitude, Fr Kolvenbach said. He made also some propositions about a Catholic and Jesuit educational institution and gave two fundamental principles. The first is that all inquiry can serve to deepen faith and that faith by its nature demands understanding. The second principle is that love of God which does not include love of neighbour is a pious fraud.Full text of Fr General's discourse [Original: English] [Polski]
Jesuit Founder of Kishor Nagar's Boys' Town in India awarded by University of Antwerp
Antwerp, 17 May 2002 -- Fr Victor Van Bortel from the Indian Ranchi Province, originally from Belgium, gets today an honorary doctorate from the University of Antwerp for "his great merit" on Friday 17 May 2002. Victor is the founder of Boys' Town in Kishor Nagar, Ranchi, India. Some thirty years ago he started getting together young orphans and street children from poor areas. His "town" accommodates today nine hundred children.Van Bortel's work is part of the social involvement of the Jesuits in the Indian state of Jharkhand (South-Bihar) for the good of the “dalits” or outcaste, started at the end of the nineteenth century by another Belgian missionary, Fr Constant Lievens.
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Father General pays a visit to Poland
Rome, 15 May 2002 -- From 16 to 21 May Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach pays a visit to Poland to attend the proclamation of Saint Andrea Bobola as patron of the country, to celebrate 180 years of the Stara Wiés Novitiate, and to meet Jesuits and lay collaborators. At the end of a Symposium on the intellectual activity of the Jesuits in Poland before, during and after the suppression of the Society, Father General will deliver a discourse on The Intellectual Apostolate of the Society of Jesus.
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Paul Chetcuti appointed as the new Provincial of the Maltese Province
Naxxar (Malta), 12 May 2002 -- Fr General has appointed Fr Paul Chetcuti as the new Provincial of the Maltese Province. Fr Chetcuti, who is 56, joined the Jesuits in 1963. After novitiate and juniorate Malta (Naxxar), he studied philosophy in France (Chantilly) and theology in Belgium (IET, Brussels). After his ordination in 1975 and tertianship, he worked as vocations promoter, teacher at St. Aloysius' College, chaplain at the Junior College and for several years as Archbishop's Delegate to the Diocesan Youth Commission (KDZ). Fr Chetcuti is also editor of the Jesuit monthly publication for young people RM2000. He succeeds Fr Paul Pace as Provincial and will enter into office on 31 July 2002.
More about the Maltese Jesuits: www.jesuit.org.mt
Italian Railroad Authority entrusts shelter for refugees to Jesuits
Rome, 9 May 2002 (VID) – The Pedro Arrupe Reception Centre set up in a building of the Ferrovie dello Stato (Italian Railroad Authority) has been entrusted to the Jesuits of the Centro Astalli in Rome for the next 15 years. It falls within a larger project of the United Nations and will provide shelter for political refugees asking for asylum in Italy.
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Fernando Franco new Secretary for the Jesuit Social Apostolate
Rome, 28 April 2002 – In a letter of 22 April 2002 Father General announced the appointment of Father Fernando Franco (Gujarat Province) to succeed Father Michael Czerny (Upper Canada Province) as the Society's fifth Secretary for the Social Apostolate.
Fr. Franco comes to this post as director of research at the Indian Social Institute (New Delhi) since 1999 and as superior of its Jesuit community. In 1981 he completed doctoral studies in economics at the University of Bombay and then taught economics at St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), where later he also served as Rector of the College. In 1982 he joined the Behavioural Science Centre, Ahmedabad, and became involved in designing and conducting programmes for rural animators. He has done research on poverty, caste and rural organisations. In 1995 he served as the Gujarat Province's elected delegate to GC 34.
Father General offers to Fr Czerny sincere gratitude in the name of the whole Society for the generous service he has given during more than ten years, first helping to prepare for the 34th General Congregation and then working hard on the initiative to renew the social apostolate. Fr Franco will take office in Rome next September.
Francesco Tata appointed new Provincial for Italy
Rome, 15 April 2002 -- Father General has named Fr. Francesco Tata, 58, new Provincial of Italy. He substitutes Fr. Vittorio Liberti. At present Fr Tata is Rector of the Aloisianum Institute in Padova, where young Jesuits make their studies of philosophy. He is also responsible for the website of the Italian Jesuits. The Province of Italy has 802 members and is by far the largest province of the Society of Jesus.
Both German Provinces hold first common Symposium
Köln/München, 2 April 2002 – Both German Jesuit Provinces start today their first common Symposium. Earlier this year both Provincials, Fr Franz Meures from Northern Germany and Fr Bernd Franke from Upper Germany, announced the merger of both provinces into one German Province by mid 2004. Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, Superior General of the Society of Jesus, is attending the first part of the four days meeting. On Wednesday 3 April he will accept the final vows of five fellow Jesuits.
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Solidarity is the answer - Jesuit Refugee Service opens new office in Slovenia
Lubljana, Slovenia, 28 March 2002 -- The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) of Slovenia officially opened its new Slovenian office in the Spiritual centre of St. Joseph in Ljubljana. "Our aim is to support and contribute to the development of philanthropic and religiously profound human relations in our homeland. By this we hope to form a new international culture, the 'culture of love', to which we are invited by the Pope John Paul II", said Fr Marijan Šef SJ, Director of Slovenian JRS, at the opening ceremony on 19 March 2002.
The migration issue in Slovenia is a rapidly growing problem. From 1990 on, the number of refugees, asylum-seekers and illegal migrants in Slovenia has increased over tenfold. The activities of JRS in Slovenia include counselling to immigrants in detention centres, volunteer work like accompanying, recreation, shopping, debating, training; help to the social workers, police, and other people who are in touch with the foreigners; helping improve the image of the immigration issue in public media; and summer camps for the Balkan wars' victims. These activities are sometimes performed in cooperation with similar organisations home and abroad. The new office will help the JRS and others to answer the problem of refugees even more unanimously: “We know that the solidarity is the answer.”
Pictures on the Opening event at www.rkc.si/jrs
Contact: Peter Rozic, JRS team in Slovenia
JRS Europe calls for educational programmes to integrate refugees and migrants
Brussels, 19 March 2002 – In a statement for the "European-wide Action Week Against Racism", 16-24 March 2002, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe calls politicians to give positive leadership in the fight against racism. Immigrants and refugees are especially vulnerable to racist attacks since they do not always enjoy the same rights which protect citizens. Irregular migrants and those without papers live on the margins of society and cannot easily go to the authorities to complain.
"JRS is very concerned about some emerging trends", said European JRS Director Fr John Dardis SJ. "These trends show how important it is to work proactively to integrate local communities with newly arriving groups of migrants and refugees. Integration is something we cannot take for granted. When refugees flee their homeland to escape persecution it is a real tragedy when they are met by a different type of persecution here in Europe".
Immigration can have a positive affect upon a nation, adding to the diversity and richness of its culture. Most people are generous and want nothing to do with the campaigns that victimise and smear vulnerable groups of immigrants or ethnic minorities. However, education programmes are also essential to eradicate ignorance and prejudices that may exist. To this end, Governments should ensure that every school has, as part of its curriculum, an education programme to combat racism and xenophobia so that racism does not take root through ignorance. This year more than ever, there is a need for people throughout Europe to state clearly that racism has no place in our societies.
Further details:
Jan Philipp Gerhartz. Tel +32-2- 2503221. janphilipp.gerhartz@jesref.org
John Dardis SJ. Tel +32-2-2503225. john.dardis@jesref.org.
Violence in Zimbabwe: Jesuits offer sanctuary
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 5 March 2002 -- With tension mounting in Zimbabwe in the run-up to Presidential elections next weekend, and reports of widespread political violence and intimidation, the Jesuits in Zimbabwe issued two public statements on 8th February. One of these, entitled A Time for Deciding, denounces the use of bullying and violence and declared the Jesuits’ intention to offer places of sanctuary for those fleeing from intimidation. A second statement, with the title An Appeal to the Youth, calls on young people to recognise and reject attempts by political parties to manipulate them into thuggery. Up to now violent activities have continued to increase steadily in both rural and urban areas.
As of 1 January 2002 the number of Jesuits was 20.741
Rome, 1 March 2002 -- As of 1 January 2002, the number of Jesuits was 20.741 (14.623 priests, 3.940 scholastics, 2.155 Brothers), a decrease of 320 over the previous year. Apart from the 512 novices, there were 23 indifferentes (candidates to the Society who are still discerning if they are called to the priesthood or to become Brothers). The South Asia Assistancy is the most numerous (3.915 Jesuits or 18.9% of the total) followed by the United States (3.462 or 16.7%). The smallest in number is the Central European Assistancy (991 Jesuits or 4.8%). During the past year 469 Jesuits died. The West European Assistancy had the highest number of deceased (80) and the African Assistancy the lowest (21).
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Jesuits and lay people together for a course on "Spiritual Exercises and partnership"
Rome, 18 Feb 2002 -- Twenty Jesuits and twenty five laypersons from all continents are gathering in Rome for a course on "Spiritual Exercises and partnership" organised by the Council of Ignatian Spirituality (CIS). A panel of eight people with long experience will offer the main input while the other participants will work in small groups. The course lasts from Monday 18 till Saturday 23 February 2002. At the opening session Fr General will address the participants. The topic of his speech is "Relations in the text of the Spiritual Exercises".
Irish Jesuits invite for Ignatian prayer on the web
Dublin, 12 Feb 2002 -- The Irish Jesuits invite internet visitors to make a 'Sacred Space' in their day, and spend ten minutes, praying here and now, as you sit at your computer, with the help of on-screen guidance and scripture chosen specially every day.
Set up in 1999 at the beginning of Lent, Sacred Space is a site which guides you gently through a series of reflections, centred around a passage of scripture, updated daily. You can just take ten minutes out of your schedule to follow this prayer, which thousands of people from all over the world are using every day.
There are also prayer version in Gaeilge, Español, Italiano, Korean, Português, Japanese, Lithuanian and Dutch. To enter the "Sacred Space" go to: http://www.jesuit.ie/prayer/
Jesuit Cardinal Martini wants to step down as
Archbishop of Milan
Milano, 6 Feb 2002 – During a conversation with some of his priests Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini has repeated his wish to retire as Archbishop of Milan. On 15 February is will celebrate his 75th birthday and, in accordance with the canon law, he presented his resignation to Pope John Paul II.
"I have begun to have some trembling in my hands," Cardinal Martini revealed. This, he said, was not so much a sign of Parkinson's disease as "a sign of old age." He added that Christians should "accept every age, as it is."
Martini entered the Society of Jesus in 1944 and was trained as a Scripture scholar. In 1978 he became Rector of the Gregorian University in Rome. On 29 December 1979 Pope John Paul II appointed him as Archbishop of Milan. Martini was at the head of Europe's largest archdiocese for more that twenty years. Last year already he said he would like to retire to the Holy Land, to continue studying the Bible, his lifelong passion.
JRS Europe concerned about new proposed immigration law in Germany
Brussels, 5 Feb 2002 -- The German government seems intent on pushing through new legislation on immigration prior to the forthcoming elections despite key concerns about it. That’s the view of the Jesuit Refugee Service, a Catholic non-governmental organisation (NGO) specialising in refugee and asylum issues. "Government moving backwards on asylum", says refugee NGO.
’We are missing a chance to fundamentally reform the immigration system in a positive manner’, said Fr Jörg Alt SJ, expert on migration issues with the Jesuit Refugee Service. “Since September 11th, security issues have dominated the debate. Foreigners are conceived as a threat rather than a challenge or an enrichment. I strongly urge the government to look at the factual data coming from research and to base their proposals on what has been shown to work.”
Jesuit Alumni/ae commemorate Pedro Arrupe on 5 February
The Pedro Arrupe World Association invites all Jesuit Alumni/ae associations around the world to make the anniversary of the death of Father Pedro Arrupe on Tuesday 5 February a special day by remembering Fr Pedro, the instigator of the Jesuit Refugee Service, and by collecting the "Arrupe Dollar" donation as their contribution.
The Pedro Arrupe World Association was created by Jesuit Alumni/ae at their World Congress, Versailles, France, in July 1986. It sets up and provides backing for humanitarian and educational programmes aimed at the needy, especially refugees and displaces persons. Pedro Arrupe, former General Superior, died on 5 February 1991.
A brochure – in English, French or Spanish – can be downloaded from the Internet: www.jesuitalumni.org/arrupe/doc/
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Both German Jesuit Provinces merge into one Province
by mid 2004
Köln-München, 18 Jan 2002 – In a common letter to their fellow Jesuits both Provincials of Germany, Fr Franz Meures from Northern Germany and Fr Bernd Franke of Upper Germany, announced the merger of both provinces into one German Province by mid 2004. Therefore Fr General asked Fr Bernd Franke to stay in office for two more years. The new structure may offer "a good opportunity for a renewed involvement in our service in Germany", the two Provincials said.
[German - Deutsch]
New Vice-Provincial for Paris and Northern France
Paris, 15 Jan 2002 -- Fr Henri Aubert has been appointed Vice-Provincial for Paris and for the Region of Northern France. He succeeds Fr Yves de Kergaradec and will take office next summer. For the moment Henri Aubert (51) is Superior of the Jesuit house at Vanves and regional chaplain for Ile-de-France of the "Chrétiens en Grandes Ecoles".
"Popoli" looks for the "true countenance of Islam"
Milano, 11 Jan 2002 – Four months after the dramatic events of 11 September 2001, "Popoli", the Italian mission magazine run by the Jesuits in Milan, provides in its January issue an elaborate dossier about Islam. Popoli gives special attention to the ideological and cultural war, rather than to the military operations. and tries to reveal the true countenance of Islam. In his foreword Fr Bartolomeo Sorge considers the interreligious encounter in Assisi on 24 January as a clear sign of hope and a real opportunity for a better understanding of the authentic Islam and for a growing interreligious dialogue.
[Italiano]More information: www.gesuit.it/popoli
E-mail: popoli@gesuiti.it
Jesuit appointed Bishop of Telšiai, Lithuania
Rome, 7 Jan 2002 -- Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Jonas Boruta SJ, since 1997 auxiliary of Vilnius, Lithuania, as bishop of Telšiai (area 13,373, population 730,000, Catholics 600,000, priests 142, religious 100), Lithuania. Before, Jonas Boruta was Superior of the Jesuits in Lithuania and Letvia.
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