"Where have the Jesuits gone?"

A February 22nd editorial in The Hoya, the newspaper "of record" at Georgetown University, wonders how it is that a Jesuit university lacks a Jesuit identity:

And maybe this is what the university wanted. On a symbolic level, Jesuit ideals began to depart when the Jesuits moved from their old residence in the traditional heart of campus to a newer one far away from the center of activities. And their old building was left to rot into oblivion in much the same way the memory of their significance decays today.

The truth is, Georgetown doesn’t need a Jesuit at the helm in order to maintain its Jesuit tradition. Even without a Jesuit president, we think the Jesuits should be consulted on policy changes and asked for their unique perspective to help solve campus problems. The Jesuits should also be consulted more on social issues.

This editorial may seem a little hypocritical after we wrote last week how Georgetown should allow the sale of birth control on its campus — we stand by that claim because we believe that being a Jesuit school hasn’t and will never mean simply “Catholic,” or worse, “conservative.” It means that the Jesuits should be leaders in steering the course of the school, not pushed to the side by administrators and faculty. It means openness to ideas, to thinking and to trust. We think it means remembering to lead reasonably, allowing students to control their destinies without hiding behind confining and condescending regulations. It means recognizing that every activity and interaction is an opportunity to learn about the world and not a reason to form a committee or chance to put students in their place.

Some part of the answer is given in the remark: "...we stand by that claim because we believe that being a Jesuit school hasn’t and will never mean simply 'Catholic'..." It seems—to put it mildly—that more than a few Jesuits and Jesuit institutions have, over the past few decades, insisted on downplaying or simply redefining their "Catholic" identity. The "spirit of Vatican II," which has proven to be equally hazy and dispiriting, has led to a dramatic drop in vocations, as Russell Shaw notes in this January 2008 article for InsideCatholic.com:

In the United States, the Society reached its numerical high point in 1965, when American Jesuits totaled 8,393. Then the great exodus began. By 2002, more men had left since 1960 (5,892) than were then members (3,635). As of 2007, the number of Jesuits in the United States had fallen to 2,991.

Shaw writes:

Clearly, today's Jesuits aren't the same as yesterday's -- and that isn't all bad. The Society of 50 or 60 years ago had plenty of faults, though you would never get a Jesuit to admit that to an outsider. But the really big difference between then and now is that Jesuits then were a band of ultra-orthodox papal loyalists, while Jesuits now and for several decades have collectively cast themselves in the role of a shakily loyal opposition. In their disturbing 2002 report on the Society in the United States, Passionate Uncertainty, Peter McDonough and Eugene C. Bianchi, himself an ex-Jesuit, conclude that "tacit dissent" was a virtual way of life for many of those they interviewed.

Two of the reoccurring assertions/attempts at spin made in response to the plunge in numbers is that it reflects the positive involvement of the laity in the life of the Church following Vatican II (see, for example, this recent article) and that, paradoxically, the absence of Jesuits can lead to a greater Jesuit presence. A November 2007 article about Fairfield University, a Jesuit university in Connecticut, reports:

Fairfield University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx has openly noted the decline in Jesuit priests in a student news conference last month. He also said that in the future, the Jesuit ideals can be upheld without the bodily presence of Jesuits through other members of faculty and administration who realize the importance of the Jesuit mission.

Fr. James Bowler, facilitator for Catholic and Jesuit mission and identity, agreed. He called for a "collaborative effort" among faculty, administrators and the Jesuits on campus to support the University's identity.

Since the second Vatican Council, there has been an effort to support laity in church roles. This can also reference their roles as a part of a Jesuit institution.

"We've got to train and empower non-Jesuits," said Fr. Bowler, who suggested there be a type of partnership between Jesuits and the laity.

The problem is not restricted to Fairfield but is evident on other Jesuit campuses as well.

In an article for Georgetown's student newspaper The Hoya in 2003, Georgetown professor Dennis McAullife wrote: "I now understand that the Jesuit and Catholic identity of Georgetown is not measured by the number of Jesuits active on campus. Though not everyone on campus is Catholic or even religious, there is a culture of respect for the values Jesuits hold and teach that touches every aspect of campus life."

And, yet, here we are five years later with the editors of The Hoya saying the complete opposite:

Maybe the Jesuits didn’t leave. But save for the occasional Jesuit professor, we rarely hear from the group that founded our school. And maybe they do care. We may be dead wrong, but students need them now more than ever. We would certainly love it if the Jesuits would come let us know.

So: No Jesuits = No Jesuit presence. Who would have thunk it?

• "Benedict challenges Jesuits: 'adhere completely to the Word of God'" (February 21, 2008)
• "Jesuit-trained novelist hopes to remake/rewrite the Church" (February 16, 2008)
• "A Jesuit argues that the Church needs priestettes"  (January 30, 2008)
• "New Superior General of the Jesuits addresses the press" (January 25, 2008)
• "TIME-ly report on the "Black Pope" (January 20, 2008)

Comments

[Rick]

The problem is not that the universities lack a Jesuit identity, this is just a symptom. The problem is that the Jesuits as an order lack a Jesuit, or better said Catholic identity. It’s like they have some sort of ontological amnesia, they don’t know who they are anymore. Their universities have become secular, Theology is just a discipline often taught by non-Catholics, agnostics and even Muslim Episcopal priestettes. The universities and colleges lost their Jesuit identity when the Jesuits lost their Catholic identity! When they began to cut themselves off from the bark of Peter, they in effect decapitated themselves, and set sail for a new identity blown by the winds of relativism wherever that leads…

[rd]

At Seattle University, there's reportedly a fear from many people who have some connection to the university (maybe parents or alumni or students) that, if it tried to strengthen its Jesuit identity, the university might become a "Catholic ghetto." Those were the words quoted by the student newspaper from a Jesuit, the admin in charge of mission and ministry. It seems pointless and laughable to even think about strengthening something that's barely there now--maybe the word "restore" might be more like it.

What's tragic is that the words "Jesuit" and "Catholic" should even be considered as separable. I imagine that Ignatius would disband the Order if it were so.

When the water finally evaporates, God will clean up the residue.

[BillyHW]

I think the pope should work out a trade with the Archimam of Canterbury. They give us their half of Nigeria and we give them the Jesuits.

It would be one of those win-win type deals.

[Sandra Miesel]

Their local high school here long ago ceased to identify itself as "Catholic" but rather as "a school in the Jesuit tradition." How long before the Order describes itself as a "community in the Catholic tradition"?

[Dan Deeny]

I thought the phrase "confining and condescending regulations" was interesting. Aren't regulations by definition confining? And what are some examples of condescending regulations? Is the requirement to fast one hour before communion a condescending regulation? Another interesting phrase was "an opportunity to learn about the world." The Jesuits have a school, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, in Nairobi, Kenya where victims of the Aids epidemic have an opportunity for an education. Perhaps several years working at this school might help the participant to learn about the world. These editorials and letters to the editor are interesting because they offer a glimpse into Christianity at American universities.

[Rose]

I felt like writing a long comment, but changed my mind-ladies do those things naturally. This was my lead sentence:

Let us start looking at the FLOWERS instead of the WEEDS.

What do you think?

[Rose]

I felt like writing a long comment, but changed my mind-ladies do those things naturally. This was my lead sentence:

Let us start looking at the FLOWERS instead of the WEEDS.

What do you think?

[Carl Olson]

Let us start looking at the FLOWERS instead of the WEEDS.

Not a problem, Rose. But sometimes the weeds so threaten and overrun the flowers that they need to be addressed.

[Rose]

What would St. Ignatius say about the weeds?

[joe]

My hunch is something along the lines of Ecclesiasticus* 40:16.

-J.

* Or "Sirach" if you're a more modern sort.

[Rose]

This is what I say:

Not one Jesuit School is on the good book list. One can not hope to solve all the problems. Nor are they limited to this one group, although this group is in front and center stage. This is an internal problem that they themselves need to address and solve. It will take leadership. Holy Father has started this by addressing the substance of the issue of loyality-now there is a brave pope!

I do feel that the ones loyal to the Catholic Church who practice accordingly ought to be spoken of frequently. This will give the weak ones role models, and confidence to go against the grain of their false idealism of our church and the culture. It is obvious that they lack fortitude as a group even if they are highly intelligent and highly educated.

They remind me of a group of people on a sinking ship. No one has the courage to yell: "Let us give up this boat, and swim over to the other boat"; just because they did not agree with the captain of the other boat. It takes humility to admit you are wrong-lots of it.

So they are hidden. No more-Holy Father wants them back. Stay tuned...Jesuits return and all is well. Finally!

St. Ignatius would say: Never give up on the Jesuits. Been there.

[Carl Olson]

I do feel that the ones loyal to the Catholic Church who practice accordingly ought to be spoken of frequently.

Agreed. Like we do here, what with constant references to Fr. Fessio, Fr. Schall, Fr. Pacwa, Fr. Spitzer, Fr. Henri de Lubac, Jean Cardinal Danielou, Avery Cardinal Dulles, and others...

[RB]

The object of any religious order is to serve God and His Church. The proper object of the Jesuits is not to build Jesuit Schools but rather Catholic Schools. If the Jesuits numbers are down and continue to diminish that should not change its Catholic identity it will of course change its Jesuit identity.

[Rose]

When I wrote the sentence: "I do feel that the ones loyal to the Catholic Church who practice accordingly ought to be spoken of frequently." I realized that The Ignatius Press is the leader in this aspect, and I wish I had stated so. And you did. Thank you.

I wanted to get responses from people to agree, and to come up of ideas to proport this loyal group. For example: when a company publishes a book they could put on the cover of the book: By...a Jesuit-loyal to the Roman Catholic Church. So that people would know that they are not hidden and part of the Church. Something like that. Start a parish Jesuit book reading club. An American Jesuit Society web site-I was just now looking at your web page at the ad for the American Chesterton Society. Wonderful reads could be done as well as quotes and sermons of the noted. Even a "Coming Home for Jesuits" with help and advice and support.

They are hidden because of guilt, shame, shyness, and aloneness. The public has put the blame of almost all our ills upon them. You can imagine the hate letters they get. We all have been worldly at one time or another. I think we can make them feel welcomed to come home with a smile on our faces and no smart remarks. We are family after all, and this is how to treat our brothers. I could forgive a Jesuit anything. They are responsible for the civilization of the world.

Do you understand what I mean?

[Gail]

As a parent whose oldest child is about to start high school, I find it very interesting that colleges and universities say they don't want to be "merely" Catholic or "only" Catholic. If my kids end up going to a non-Catholic college, then I will be sending my money to one that has some kind of identity, even if it is secular. What sense is there in going to a "university in the Catholic tradition" -- neither one thing nor the other? Lukewarm, use a Biblical phrase. And we all know what a good idea that is.

Of course stepping away from religious identity isn't unique to Catholic colleges. They're almost all doing it. But I don't have to pay for it. I would like to ask the student who wrote the editorial what he thinks would be wrong with a Jesuit institution being "merely Catholic."

Gail Finke

[EUGENE SULLIVAN]

THE JESUITS HAVE LOST THEIR ROMAN CATHOLIC IDENTIY AND EMBRACED SECULAR VIEWS THE LATE FATHER DRINAN OF GERORGETOWN OPENLY SUPPORTED ABORTION AND WAS NEVER SILENCED. AT FORDHAM UNIVERSITY THE STUDENT DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS THE BIGGER THAN THE REPULICANS BECAUSE OF IT'S SUPPORT FROM THE FACULTY. YES, THE DEMOCRATS WHO SUPPORT ABORTION, EUTHANASIA, EMBRYOTIC STEN CELL RESEARCH AND GAY MARRIAGE. MUST, I GO ON?
GRADUATION IS COMING UP AND THE GUEST SPEAKERS WILL BE JESUIT CATHOLIC TRAINED LIKE CHRIS MATTHEWS AND TIM RUSSERT WHO OPENLY SUPPORT EVERYTHING DEMOCRATIC. SEAN HANNITY COULD NERVER BE A COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER BECAUSE HE IS ROMAN CATHOLIC CONSERVATIVE PRO-LIFE AND WOULD BE CONSIDERED TOO EXTREME BY THE FACULTY AND STUDENTS.

[Clara Sarrocco]

How come you do not list the site of The New York C.S. Lewis Society (the oldest and largest of the Lewis societies)?
www.nycslsociety.com

[Clara Sarrocco]

Why don't you list the site of The New York C.S. Lewis Society? It is the oldest and largest of the Lewis societies around the world.
www.nycslsociety.com