Venezuelan Fr. Arturo Sosa, S.J., Named 31st Jesuit Superior General
BY ISN STAFF | October 14, 2016
The 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus has elected Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, S.J., of the Venezuelan Province, Superior General.
Father Arturo Sosa, S.J., 31st Superior General of the Jesuits [Jesuits]
On October 3, 2016, the 36th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus voted to accept the resignation of Fr. Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., 30th Superior General of the Society since 2008. The vote to elect Fr. Sosa came after the murmuratio — four days of one-on-one private conversations for discernment designed to draw the Jesuit leadership into genuine dialogue about potential candidates void of individual campaigning.
As Superior General, Fr. Nicolás, a native of Spain, encouraged the “universal vocation” of the Jesuits, emphasizing the importance of a global perspective, the freedom and willingness to be of service in new locations and roles, and the necessity of service to and authentic relationship with those on the margins.
In recent history, General Congregation elections and documents have, at times, transformed the private and public lives of Jesuits worldwide. The 1965 election of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., 28th Superior General, at the 32nd General Congregation, initiated an era of significant revitalization of the Jesuit mission, particularly in light of shifts in the greater Catholic community following Vatican II. General Congregations 32 and 34, 30 years later, challenged the Jesuits to deepen and expand work for justice, particularly in service to the poor.
Jesuit General Congregation documents have influenced lay collaborators, including the Ignatian Solidarity Network. ISN’s Kim Miller recently talked about how the themes of General Congregations and 32 and 34 have been expressed in programs like the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice and Arrupe Leaders Summits.
Recent Articles about Fr. Sosa:
New Jesuit General: “Not Only the Improbable, but the Impossible.” | America Magazine
Jesuits elect first Latin-American general | Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse
Fr Sosa: Reconciliation and dialogue priorities for Jesuits | Vatican Radio
The Jesuits’ new five-star Latin-American general | Crux: Taking the Catholic Pulse
Fr. Tim Kesicki, S.J., President of the US/Canada Jesuit Conference, talks about the election of Fr. Arturo Sosa Abascal, S.J.:
[Society of Jesus, Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States, Boston College]
Wishing Fr Arturo God’s blessings.
Congratulations, Father General.
I would like to inform the S J. that The Jesuit Priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus saved my life under the occupation of Hitler of remnant-Hungary, in Budapest. As the Holy Personality is with God since 1949, so I would like if Fr Arturo Sosa would be aware of this, and in general the S. J. would know this magnificent action by a Jesuit Priest
Please restore Jesuitical Tradition and obey Humanae Vitae.
Turn back the influence of Father Joseph Fuchs SJ
Excerpt:
Joseph Fuchs SJ. A moral theologian, who wrote one of the best book on natural law and marriage, went into the Vatican Council opposed to contraception. But he changed his position on contraception during the Vatican Council . The Commission appointed by Pope Paul VI included Fr Fuchs. Before Humanae Vitae, the Jesuits were among the strongest supporters of the Church teaching on contraception. After Humanae Vitae, the Jesuits were among the strongest dissenters. A lot of it had to do with Joseph Fuchs S. J. ‘s decision. They all lined up behind him.
John Ford S.J. Was very upset by the dissent on the Commission. He alerted Pope Paul VI
Dr. Janet Smith
Humanae Vitae 50 Years Later
Lighthouse Talks. Augustine Institute
Track 8