KOCHI: The next Superior General of the Society of Jesus or Jesuits, the largest and the most powerful religious congregation in the Catholic Church, will probably be from Asia or even from India.
Election to the office of the Superior General of the SJ gains significance as the head of the Society has a say in many decisions of Vatican. Indicating his strong influence in the Vatican, the Superior General is often mentioned as ‘Black Pope.’
New Superior is being elected as the present Superior, Fr Adolfo Nicholas, is resigning. Though the tenure of the Superior General is for a life time, he can resign with the Pope’s special permission. Fr Peter Hans Kolvenbach was the first Superior General of the Society to resign.
“As on December 2015, the number of Jesuit priests in the world stands at 16,740. According to Fr Federico Lombardi, General Counsellor of the Society, there are 5,000 Jesuits in Europe, 5,000 in the Americas (2,600 in North America and 2,400 in Latin America), 5,600 from Asia (4,000 in India alone), and 1,600 from Africa. The percentage of participants in General Congregation 36 reflects the global percentages of the Society” said Fr Vincent Perepadan S J, a member of the Society who now serves as editor of children’s magazine Snehasena.
“Considering the number of those having the right to vote in the election, Europe is likely to lose its upper hand this time. Around 9,600 members of the society are from out of Europe. The number of Europeans in the society now stands at 5,000. As many as 212 representatives have voting rights. This includes more than 30 members from India alone and 107 votes required to be elected as the Superior General,” Fr Perepadan said.