Pedro Arrupe and Africa: Clear Vision and Bold Steps in a Moment of Unsettling Transitions
The election of Pedro Arrupe as Superior General of the Society of Jesus in 1965 coincided with transitions of monumental proportions in Africa. Most African countries basked in the early sun of political independence, and Vatican II had just allowed greater inculturation in the practice of the fait...
| Published in: | Archivum historicum Societatis Iesu |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Institution of Catholic Studies
[2019]
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| In: |
Archivum historicum Societatis Iesu
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| IxTheo Classification: | KAJ Church history 1914-; recent history KBN Sub-Saharan Africa KCA Monasticism; religious orders KDB Roman Catholic Church RJ Mission; missiology |
| Further subjects: | B
Theology
B CHRISTIANITY & culture B Religious Institutions B Arrupe, Pedro, 1907-1991 B Jesuits |
| Parallel Edition: | Non-electronic
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| Summary: | The election of Pedro Arrupe as Superior General of the Society of Jesus in 1965 coincided with transitions of monumental proportions in Africa. Most African countries basked in the early sun of political independence, and Vatican II had just allowed greater inculturation in the practice of the faith. Now, with audacious calls for "Africanization", Africans sought to expand their space in political and ecclesiastical institutions. These changing realities had a considerable impact on the missions of the Society in Africa. Hitherto the missions were scattered and directed by various provinces in Europe and America. As the Church was becoming more African, there was obvious need to make the Society more African too. To this need Arrupe responded decisively. Engaging directly with Africa, he practised a three-pronged policy of empowering, supporting and inspiring Jesuits on the continent so that they could live up to the challenge of their vocation in Africa. To this end he established administrative structures designed to allow grassroots experience to inform key decisions, which now could be made on the ground. He was particularly supportive of the new superiors he appointed. Arrupe also used the African experience to enrich his own theological reflection, which eventually contributed to shaping his ideas on inculturation and on mission. (English) |
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| Contains: | Enthalten in: Jesuiten, Archivum historicum Societatis Iesu
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