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Update: 01.01.2008
FeaturesOrdinations and Final Vows
Pope receives Fr. General Adolfo Nicolás (January 26, 2008)
Father General Adolfo Nicolás capped an eventful week as the newly elected superior general of the Jesuits with a private audience with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. The Saturday audience began with a photo session and then the two sat down for a warm and friendly conversation. The Holy Father was pleased to hear that that the general congregation had formed a committee to study his letter to Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the previous superior general, and then the conversation turned to Japan, where Fr. Nicolás had served for 33 years. The Holy Father encouraged the Jesuit leader to continue with dialogue with culture and evangelization and to ensure a thorough formation of young Jesuits. It was the opportunity for the new General of the Jesuits to reaffirm his personal respect for the Vicar of Christ as well as the esteem of the whole Society of Jesus; it was an occasion also to convey the desire of the Society to serve the Church all over the world.
Then Father Nicolás told Pope Benedict that the Jesuits have a custom that the newly elected superior general should renew his vows before the pope. Father Kolvenbach had done that in writing, so Father Nicolás had written out his vows, which he had in an envelope. The pope opened the envelope right away and read the vows; then he said, 'This is a very good custom.'
CG35 choses Fr. Adolfo Nicolás as new Superior General of the Society of Jesus
Today Saturday January 19, 2008 General Congregation 35 of the Society of Jesus has chosen Fr. Adolfo Nicolás as Superior General. He is the 29th successor of St. Ignatius Loyola as guide of the Society.
Here is a short biographical profile of the new Superior General:
ADOLFO NICOLÁS S.J.
| 29 April 1936 | Born in Palencia, Spain |
| 15 September 1953 | Enters in the Noviciate of Aranjuez (Prov. Toledo, Spain) |
| 1958-1960 | Licence in Philosophy, Alcalá, Madrid |
| 1964-1968 | Theology in Tokio, Japan |
| 17 March 1967 | Ordained Priest in Tokio, Japan |
| 1968-1971 | Master in Theology at the Gregoriana, Rome |
| 1971 | Professor of Systematic Theology at the Sophia University in Tokio, Japan |
| 1978-1984 | Director, Pastoral Institute, Manila, Philippines |
| 1991-1993 | Rector of the Scholasticate, Tokio, Japan |
| 1993-1999 | Provincial of Japan |
| 2004-2007 | Moderator of the Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania |
Languages: Spanish, Japanese, English, French, Italian
Rome, January 19, 2008
Download a bigger Photo of the new Superior General
GC 35 accepts Resignation of Fr. Kolvenbach, January 14, 2008
Today, Monday, January 14, 2008 during his morning session in the Aula of the Congregation in Rome, General Congregation 35 of the Society of Jesus has accepted the Resignation of Father General Peter Hans Kolvenbach. Father Kolvenbach has been the General Superior of the Jesuits since September 1983.
The election of a new General Superior of the Society of Jesus will be held next Saturday January 19, 2008.
Opening of a General Congregation on Monday, January 7, 2008
The General Curia of the Society of Jesus announces the opening of a General Congregation on Monday, January 7, 2008. This is the 35th General Congregation since the foundation of the Society in 1540.
More than 220 Jesuits from around the world will convene at Borgo S. Spirito to elect a new Superior General and to discuss (“discern” in the language of Saint Ignatius, the founder of the Society) the apostolic challenges confronting the Society in the years ahead.
The present Superior General, Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, the 28th successor of Saint Ignatius, is close to 80 years of age, and has been at the helm of the Society for more than 24 years. After hearing the opinion of his Counsellors and with the assent of the Holy Father, Father Kolvenbach will present his resignation to the General Congregation.
Following the election of a new Superior General, the Congregation will move to the discussion of issues suggested by the Preparatory Commission.
Beginning in January, the new website of the Curia Press Office will offer updates at regular intervals.