Jesuit superior says he often mediated conflicts to ensure unity

Published: 2007-12-05

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In almost a quarter-century as the superior general of the largest men's religious order, Jesuit Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach has had to mediate between individual Jesuits and Vatican or local church officials who thought a Jesuit had stepped outside the bounds of Catholic theology. "The attitude required in the majority of situations of conflict," he said, was to ensure fidelity to the unity of the church, to truth and to charity. Father Kolvenbach, 79, formally will offer his resignation to the Jesuits' general congregation in early January. He was elected superior general in 1983. In an interview published Dec. 5 in the Italian Catholic journal Il Regno, Father Kolvenbach said, "Just as at the time of (Jesuit founder St.) Ignatius, the Jesuits refer to the vicar of Christ on earth so as not to wander onto erroneous paths and to ask the way to follow for the greater glory of God and for the true good of all humanity." The superior said the Jesuits see themselves as men on a mission to bring the Gospel to places where it has not been heard or where it is misunderstood.

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