Planning for the future: Jesuit Provincials in Dublin

The 39th General Assembly of the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) convened at Manresa Jesuit Centre for Spirituality, in Dublin from 12 to 18 October 2026.

The Assembly’s primary objective was to launch a two-year process of Apostolic Planning that is expected to conclude in October 2028. Francisco José Ruiz SJ, former provincial of Spain and facilitator of the process, led sessions to guide the Conference toward a renewed apostolic direction. Fr Ruiz previously steered the complex 2014 merger of the Spanish provinces and was joined in the facilitation team by David McCallum SJ, who leads the Discerning Leadership programme in Rome.

Safeguarding also featured on the agenda. John Guiney SJ, director of the Promotion of a Consistent Culture of Protection (PCCP) programme, and JCEP safeguarding coordinator Brian Cramner briefed participants on safeguarding developments at both the universal Society level and within the Conference.

The meeting opened with an evaluation of progress under the 2021–2026 JCEP Apostolic Plan presented by the JCEP President, Dalibor Renić SJ. Secretary of the Society of Jesus Antoine Kerhuel SJ, addressed the Assembly on the contemporary role and mission of Conferences of Provincials within the Society, framing the wider context for the planning work.

A substantial portion of the Assembly focused on building a shared sense of identity among provincials as a single apostolic body serving mission beyond provincial boundaries. These sessions were led by Fr McCallum and concentrated on contemporary global realities, the polarities provincials must navigate, and the Conference’s core mission. Fr Ruiz placed this “who” work into the broader planning sequence, which will next consider the “what” of the Conference’s mission and then the “how.”

Administrative matters were addressed as well. The Assembly reviewed and approved the JCEP budget for 2027, presented by Treasurer Gonzalo Villagrán SJ, and examined current personnel needs.

The programme included cultural and spiritual visits organized by the Irish Province. Delegates toured the National Gallery of Ireland to view Caravaggio’s The Taking of Christ (1602), a work with a long association with the Jesuits that was identified as a Caravaggio in 1990 and is now on indefinite loan to the Gallery.

The group visited St. Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street, a landmark since 1832, and prayed at the tomb of Blessed John Sullivan SJ. This was followed by a visit to nearby Belvedere College SJ, where participants celebrated Mass in the college chapel and shared a dinner hosted by the school.

The gathering brought together the provincials of the Conference’s 15 provinces and one region, alongside JCEP President Dalibor Renić SJ, the Socius, and the three assistants to the Conference’s assistancies for Western, Southern and Central-Eastern Europe. Participants said they left the Assembly with a renewed sense of co-responsibility. Provincials affirmed that contemporary provincial leadership requires attention to the universality of the Society of Jesus, committing to a care that extends beyond the borders of any single province as the Conference advances its apostolic planning process.