Mission & Identity
Fr . Arturo Sosa , SJ , Elected 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus
1966 and was ordained a priest in 1977 . He holds a bachelor ' s degree in philosophy from the Catholic University Andrés Bello in Caracas , a bachelor ’ s degree in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and a doctorate in political science from the Universidad Central de Venezuela . He was provincial superior of the Society of Jesus in Venezuela from 1996 to 2004 . Fr . Sosa speaks Spanish , Italian and English and understands French .
Prior to his appointment as provincial , he was in charge of the social apostolate of the Jesuits in Venezuela , which includes the Jesuit network of schools for the poor , Fe y Alegría . He was also head of the Centro Gumilla , the Jesuit-run social and action research center .
Among his distinguished academic posts , he has served as a member of the founding board of the Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas and rector of the Catholic University of Táchira . He has taught and researched political science in many different institutes and colleges , and in 2004 was a visiting professor at the Latin-American Studies Center of Georgetown University .
Fr . Arturo Sosa , SJ
October 14 , 2016 — Father Arturo Sosa Abascal , SJ , of Venezuela was elected the 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus at the Jesuits ’ General Congregation 36 ( GC 36 ) today in Rome . Fr . Sosa is the first Latin American Superior General of the Society of Jesus , the largest religious order of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church .
Fr . Sosa , Delegate of the General for the International Houses and Works of the Society of Jesus in Rome , was elected by 212 Jesuit electors at the General Congregation , the supreme governing body of the Society , which is currently being held at the Jesuit Curia , the Society ’ s headquarters in Rome . He succeeds Father Adolfo Nicolás , SJ , 80 , who resigned last week after serving as Superior General since 2008 .
" I am delighted to share the good news that the Congregation has elected Fr . Arturo Sosa , SJ , as our new Father General ," said Fr . John Cecero , SJ , provincial of the USA Northeast Province . " It has been a truly inspirational experience to take part in this election , and on behalf of our USA Northeast Province , I have already extended our prayerful best wishes to Father Sosa . Let us continue to pray in thanksgiving for Father General and his leadership for years to come ."
Fr . Sosa was born in Caracas , Venezuela , on November 12 , 1948 . He entered the Society of Jesus in September
Fr . Sosa , only the 31st Superior General in the Society ’ s 476-year history , now leads the 16,740 Jesuits worldwide . This includes about 12,000 priests ; 1,300 brothers ; 2,700 scholastics ; and 753 novices , according to Father Federico Lombardi , SJ , General Counsellor and Assistant ad Providentiam .
In an interview at GC 36 before the election , Fr . Sosa said delegates gathered come from different countries , but they share a common culture linked to their experience of the Ignatian spiritual exercises and practices of discernment . " We have a long tradition and a strong desire to listen to the same voice , that is the voice of the Holy Spirit ."
The election was held after four days of murmuratio , a centuries-old practice of one-on-one conversation and information gathering , designed to prepare the delegation for the selection of a new Superior General .
The day of the election began with a Votive Mass of the Holy Spirit at Santo Spirito Church , the 12th-century church across the street from the Curia . Father James Grummer , SJ , Vicar General of the Congregation , delivered the homily .
Fr . Grummer reflected on their task to choose a new leader : “ Our mission this morning is to elect a General . We will be locked into an upper room , not for fear but for concentrated listening to the Spirit ’ s whisper . We are not afraid because we believe so strongly that the Spirit
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