The Jesuit Curia in Rome

Jesuits Around the World

Father General

In a letter dated October 15 to the Provincial of South Brazil, Father General communicated his agreement to the proposal regarding the suppression of the Dependent Region of Mato Grosso and its integration into the Province of South Brazil. The proposal was sent to Father General with the unanimous support of the Superiors and Consultors who engaged in a careful process of discernment. The lack of resources, both human and financial, to care for this vast area are the main reasons supporting this decision. In his letter Father General expressed his appreciation for the way the Province has faced the situation. The letter was accompanied by the Decree of suppression of the Dependent Region and its return to the South Brazil Province, effective December 3 of this year. The Mato Grosso Region was separated from the South Brazil Province by a decree dated September 27, 1999.

At noon on October 18, Father General arrived at Gdynia, Poland, where the European Provincials are holding their regular meeting. Father General remained in Poland until October 24. Apart from the time to spend with the Provincials, he attended other requests: an interview conducted by Father Andrzej Majewski, S.J. for the Catholic Program of the public TV station, a meeting with Jesuits in formation at Jastrzebia Gora, and a short speech during the morning prayer of the Gdynia Jesuit School students. In the afternoon of October 23, together with the European Provincials, Father General concelebrated in the Eucharist presided by the Archbishop of Gdansk.

Nomination

During the general audience of October 17, The Holy Father announced that he intends to call a Consistory on November 24 in which he will appoint 23 new Cardinals: 18 under the age of 80, and therefore entitled to participate as electors in the eventual Conclave, and 5 who are above the age of 80 (non-elector Cardinals). In the latter group is Father Urbano Navarrete, S.J., age 86, former Rector of the Gregorian University and Professor of Canon Law.
With the addition of Father Navarrete, at present there are 10 Jesuit Cardinals: two electors and 8 non-electors. The electors are: Card. Jorge Bergoglio (Argentina) and Julius Darmaatmadja (Indonesia). The non electors: Card. Avery Dulles (USA), Ján Chryzostom Korec (Slovakia), Carlo Martini (Italy), Paulus Shan Kuo hsi (Taiwan), Tomás Spidlik (Czech Republic), Albert Vanhoye (France), Urbano Navarrete (Spain).

Curia

General Secretariat

Following the established rhythm of mailing every month to the Provinces summaries of the Relationes Praeviae, the report on Ecology was recently sent. It was preceded by the reports on Obedience and the Vow of Obedience to the holy Father.

Secretary of Ignatian Spirituality

In the last issue of the Review, the Secretary has published an article on Jerome Nadal by Father Kolvenbach, three about Father Arrupe, and three others on Finding God in the 21St Century.

Secretary for Communications

The movement to enhance the education of children in poor countries by providing them with computers (One laptop per child, OLPC) presented this project in Rome on October 29. Cardinal Paul Poupard and Professor Nicholas Negroponte (founder of the movement) were the principal speakers. The Curia Secretariat for Communication developed the Rome presentation of the project which, OLPC emphasizes, is "an education project, not a laptop project". The computers are designed for environments where climate conditions and lack of electricity require specialized computer construction technology.

From the Provinces

Japan

The Bishops Conference has announced that the ceremony declaring Blessed 188 Japanese martyrs, will be held in Nagasaki on November 24, 2008. The group of Blessed is composed of priests, religious and laypeople who suffered martyrdom between the years 1603 and 1639. The official name of the group is "Father Pietro Kibe Kasui S.J. and his 187 companions". The life and death of Father Kibe has been subject of a theatrical play by one of the most famous Japanese writers (Endo Shusaku), an opera and a TV program. His amazing and colourful life cannot be recounted in a few lines. In the group of the new Blessed, there are three other Jesuits: Fathers Julian Nakaura, Diogo Yuuki and Brother Nicolao Keian Fukunaga.
The Japanese Catholic population at present is 452,000 faithful, 60% of whom are female. Non-Japanese Catholics in the country are estimated at 565,000. The number of baptisms administered last year was 7,193: 3,692 adults and 3,500 children. At the end of 2006 there were 1,553 priests (926 Japanese) and 6,060 religious women.

Malta

The Jesuit adventure in education started in Malta in 1592. After establishing schools in different locations, St. Aloysius College opened its doors on October 8,1907 in the city of Valletta. To celebrate 100 years of the College, Father General travelled to Malta where he was received with great festivity. During his 48 hours on the island Father General visited the Province Infirmary, met the members of the Province, concelebrated a Mass of thanksgiving, and attended a banquet with the highest authorities of the country, many of them were alumni of St. Aloysius College.

Portugal

To commemorate 90 years since the apparitions of Our Lady in Fatima, a new Sanctuary dedicated to the Holy Trinity was blessed by Cardinal Bertone, Secretary of State. Fathers Manuel Morujao, Assistant to Father General for South Europe, and Paolo Molinari, Postulatore of the cause of canonization of Francisco and Jacinta Marto, the two children who were witness of the apparition, participated in the celebration. A large mosaic in the new Santuary is the work of Father Marco Rupnik, S.J. of the Province of Slovenia.