Francis Rodrigues, Mangalore

Mangalore, Nov 15: The General Assistant of the Jesuit Order in Rome, in-charge of the South Asian Assistancy of the Jesuits, Fr Lisbert D’Souza visited Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore on Monday November 14 at the Bishop’s House.

The General Congregation elects four Assistants. Their function is to assist the Superior General on behalf of the whole Society. Fr Federico Lombardi, an Italian Jesuit and the current director of the Holy See Press Office is another such Assistant.

According to Jesuit sources there are ten Assistancies with more than 18500 Jesuit priests serving in 112 nations across the globe in six continents through 93 provinces. The South Asian Assistancy is the biggest with more than 4000 members which make it for 20.9%. India has 20 provinces of Jesuits with Madurai Province accommodating maximum number of Jesuits which is more than 400.

The Jesuit Conference of South Asian Assistancy was held recently in Pune in the presence of Fr Lisbert. After the conference Fr Lisbert is on a official visit to the Karnataka Province during which he personally visits every Jesuit institution to have fist hand information. For the Jesuit General will consult him in every major Jesuit decision of South Asia. He gathered first hand information on the collaboration between the Jesuits and the Diocese.

Fr Lisbert who is originally from Goa said that as per the need of the times more Jesuits are sent into the seminaries to be spiritual formatters and guides. The seminaries request especially for younger Jesuits who are well aware of the present times and modern sciences. The Pope Benedict 16th had invited the Jesuits to help him and the church in integrated formation of priests. The Pope had expressed especially during his visit to the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome founded by St Ignatius of Loyola, the first university of the Jesuits.

The Bishop of Mangalore honoured the Jesuit Assistant on behalf of the Church of Mangalore. Diocesan Chancellor Fr Henry Sequeira, PRO Fr William Menezes, treasurer Fr Maxim Noronha, Judicial Vicar Fr Valerian Menezes, St Aloysius College Rector Fr Joseph Rodrigues and others were present on the occasion.