Jesuit leaders address global challenges
Irish Jesuit Provincial Fr. Shane Daly SJ was one of fifteen Provincials in attendance at the 38th General Assembly of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP), which was held in Falenica, Warsaw, from April 23–28, 2026, at the European Centre for Communication and Culture. T
The leader of the Jesuits worldwide, Fr. General Arturo Sosa SJ, was also there. Among other topics, he spoke to those present about the mission of the Jesuits in Europe. Overall, the Assembly provided those present with an opportunity to address common challenges from a broader, universal perspective in the spirit of St. Ignatius.
The major superiors focused on several key topics, including the JCEP tertianship programme in Lebanon; collaboration among the European Jesuit formation centres in Krakow, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Warsaw; the role of the Conference Formation Delegate; the work of the Jesuit European Social Centre (JESC) in Brussels; and the finances of the Conference.
There were inputs from Jesuits also on a variety of topics such as the current work of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, Magis and World Youth Day in Korea, and Jesuit formation.
During the Assembly, the Provincials whose novices study at the novitiate in Birmingham — Ireland, Britain, the Low Countries, French-speaking Western Europe, Slovakia, and Czechia — also met online with the Novice Master to review the novitiate’s current state.
The JCEP brings together the 16 Jesuit provinces and regions in Europe, as well as the Province of the Near East. The assembly gathered Provincials, one Regional Superior, the three Assistants representing the Assistancies of the Conference, and the President of JCEP, Fr. Dalibor Renić SJ, to discern together the development of the apostolic mission of the Society of Jesus in Europe and the Near East.
As a break from meetings, those gathered participated in a guided historical tour of Warsaw, focusing on the Jesuit presence in the city, led by Fr. Robert Danieluk SJ. The day concluded with a festive dinner at the Jesuit community on Rakowiecka Street, celebrating the PMA Province’s anniversary.