General Congregation
Encyclopedia
The highest authority in the Society of Jesus
is the General Congregation, an assembly of the Jesuit representatives from all parts of the world. A general congregation is always summoned on the death or resignation of the administrative head of the order—called the Superior General
—to choose his successor, and it may be called at other times if circumstances warrant. A smaller congregation of worldwide representatives meets every three years to discuss internal business and to decide the need for a general congregation. Through its four-century history, the Society has convened only 34 general congregations, the 33rd of which installed Peter Hans Kolvenbach
as Superior General of the Order. One of the most important recent congregations took place in two sessions (1965–1966) to revise Jesuit law and accommodate it to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council
.
On February 2, 2006, the Superior General Peter Hans Kolvenbach
convoked the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus
, to begin January 5, 2008, in Rome, after "having heard the representatives and obtained the consent of His Holiness Benedict XVI". At the same time he announced his resignation to the post of Superior General of the Society of Jesus
. The 35th general Congregation will therefore elect a new Superior General
as well as discuss some "very important matters concerning the whole body of the Society of Jesus", the situation which requires a General Congregation http://www.cpalsj.org/cgi/cgilua.exe/sys/start.htm?infoid=968&sid=5.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
is the General Congregation, an assembly of the Jesuit representatives from all parts of the world. A general congregation is always summoned on the death or resignation of the administrative head of the order—called the Superior General
Superior General of the Society of Jesus
The Superior General of the Society of Jesus is the official title of the leader of the Society of Jesus—the Roman Catholic religious order, also known as the Jesuits. He is generally addressed as Father General. The position carries the nickname of Black Pope, after his simple black priest's...
—to choose his successor, and it may be called at other times if circumstances warrant. A smaller congregation of worldwide representatives meets every three years to discuss internal business and to decide the need for a general congregation. Through its four-century history, the Society has convened only 34 general congregations, the 33rd of which installed Peter Hans Kolvenbach
Peter Hans Kolvenbach
Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., S.T.D. , was the 29th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the largest male religious order of the Catholic Church.-Life:...
as Superior General of the Order. One of the most important recent congregations took place in two sessions (1965–1966) to revise Jesuit law and accommodate it to the spirit of the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
.
On February 2, 2006, the Superior General Peter Hans Kolvenbach
Peter Hans Kolvenbach
Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., S.T.D. , was the 29th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the largest male religious order of the Catholic Church.-Life:...
convoked the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
, to begin January 5, 2008, in Rome, after "having heard the representatives and obtained the consent of His Holiness Benedict XVI". At the same time he announced his resignation to the post of Superior General of the Society of Jesus
Superior General of the Society of Jesus
The Superior General of the Society of Jesus is the official title of the leader of the Society of Jesus—the Roman Catholic religious order, also known as the Jesuits. He is generally addressed as Father General. The position carries the nickname of Black Pope, after his simple black priest's...
. The 35th general Congregation will therefore elect a new Superior General
Superior General of the Society of Jesus
The Superior General of the Society of Jesus is the official title of the leader of the Society of Jesus—the Roman Catholic religious order, also known as the Jesuits. He is generally addressed as Father General. The position carries the nickname of Black Pope, after his simple black priest's...
as well as discuss some "very important matters concerning the whole body of the Society of Jesus", the situation which requires a General Congregation http://www.cpalsj.org/cgi/cgilua.exe/sys/start.htm?infoid=968&sid=5.
External links
- General Congregation 35 www.sjweb.info/35
- General Congregation 35 | Goa Jesuits www.goajesuits.in/gc35