Father General

Father General is participating at the XII Synod of Bishops which treats The Word of God  in the Life and Mission of the Church. For the past 40 years the ceremony has been held at Saint Peter’s Basilica. In honor of the Pauline Year, the solemn celebration was held at Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The Synod began on October 6 and goes until October 26.

There are 253 members of the Synod from the five continents: 51 from Africa, 62 from America, 41 from Asia, 90 from Europe and 9 from Oceania. Present for the deliberations will be 41 “experts” from 21 countries, and 37 “auditors” from 26 nations. Cardinal Albert Van Hoye, S.J. and Father General are among the members of the Synod appointed by the Holy Father. Together with them Jesuit representation includes one Archbishop, four Bishops , six “experts” and one in charge of the Information, for a total of 14. Cardinal Van Hoye, and Rabbi Shear Yashy Cohen of Haifa, especially invited by the Pope, addressed the Assembly on how the Jewish People and the Christians read and interpret the Sacred Scriptures.

Appointments

Father General has appointed Father Pablo Guerrero, of the Castilla Province, Provincial of Romania. The new Provincial, 45 years old, is presently Rector of the Instituto Católico de Artes e Industria (ICADE) which is part of the Comillas Universidad, Madrid. Father Guerrero will replace Father Olivo Bosa, of the Italian Province, who has been Provincial since 1995. The new Provincial will take office in Easter 2009.