Powerful Catholic order, the Jesuits, in Rome to elect new superior

The Society of Jesus, whose members are called Jesuits, one of the largest and most powerful Catholic orders, is holding a meeting in Rome at which it is to elect a new superior general to head its 19 000 members, reports Ecumenical News International. The current superior general, the 79-year-old Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, a Dutch-born priest, who has served in Lebanon and the Middle East, is to step down, but he attended an opening Mass for the 226 delegates at the Jesuit's Church of Gesu near the Vatican. Vatican Cardinal Franc Rode, who led the opening Mass, thanked Kolvenbach for his leadership, and urged the Jesuits to elect a successor who would help the Society of Jesus to remain united and devoted to the church, its members and its hierarchy.

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[01/11/2008]

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