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Jesuits Elect First Latin American Superior General

Christopher Collins, S.J., assistant to the president for mission and identity at Saint Louis University, says it’s an “exciting time” for the Society of Jesus with the election of a new superior general.

Superior General Arturo Sosa Abascal, S.J.
New Jesuit Superior General Arturo Sosa Abascal, S.J. Photo courtesy of the Society of Jesus

Arturo Sosa Abascal, S.J., of Venezuela, was elected the 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus during the Jesuits’ 36th General Congregation (GC36) in Rome last week.

He is the first Latin American to be elected as Superior General since the order’s founding in 1540.

“We are reminded again of the universality of the Society and the Church and of our global mission of which we are all a part,” Collins said. “I pray that this might be an impetus for all of us to be renewed with passion for that mission.”

A former provincial in his home country, Father Sosa most recently served as the Delegate of the General for the International Houses and Works of the Society of Jesus in Rome.

He succeeds Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., who stepped down after serving as Superior General since 2008.

For more on this story, visit Jesuits.org and gc36.org.