Fr Sosa: the poor, youth and reconciliation are the challenges of the mission in India
The Jesuit superior presents four "universal apostolic preferences" for the next ten years. For Archbishop Machado, the Holy Father suggests concrete ways of spirituality.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Fr Arturo Sosa, superior general of the Society of Jesus, was in India last Sunday and Monday. During his visit, he discussed the challenges the Church’s mission faces over the next ten years, namely walking with the poor and society’s outcasts, accompanying the young, and working for reconciliation and justice.
In late February, Fr Sosa announced four "universal apostolic preferences ", fruit of two years of discernment, which should guide the Society in its mission for the next ten years.
These preferences are: "To show the way to God through discernment and Spiritual Exercises; to walk with the poor, the outcasts of the world, those whose dignity has been violated, in a mission of reconciliation and justice; to accompany young people in the creation of a hope-filled future; [and] to collaborate in the care of our Common Home,” i.e. protect the environment.
Mgr. Felix Machado, archbishop of Vasai, met Fr Sosa during his visit. Speaking to AsiaNews, he said: “I asked the Father General if there could be close collaboration with the diocese and the Jesuit Fathers in Vasai.
“The first point about discernment seems very important. I gave the example of our Holy Father, a Jesuit, who does not give talks on Ignatian spirituality but concretely suggests the depth of Ignatian spirituality and persuades us to deepen our faith.”
For the prelate, “Faith must always translate into action and that is what the Pope teaches. Ignatius of Loyola is relevant for all Christians, not just for the Jesuits."
Regarding the other three preferences, the archbishop noted that “they are very common to all of us, and what is proposed is what all the baptised must follow.”
Mgr Machado went to say that Fr Sosa appreciated his call to work together. He asked "all the consecrated men and women of the diocese to firmly hold onto their identity as religious and collaborate, teach and persuade the diocesan clergy and laity about the joy of the Gospel.”
“The vows of obedience, chastity and poverty (which are proper to the identity of priests and diocesan laity) can be enriched in a tangible way through life and exchange with religious [Jesuits]. We have many Jesuits who can take the lead."
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07/02/2019 17:28
