European Jesuit Provincials in Portugal
Leonard Moloney SJ, the Irish Jesuit Provincial, recently attended a meeting in Portugal with Jesuit Provincials from across Europe. The Jesuit Conference of European Provincials (JCEP) took place in the Jesuit retreat house of Rodizio, outside Lisbon (see photo) from Monday 18 April -Sat 23 April 2022.
In this interview with Pat Coyle of Irish Jesuit Communications Fr Moloney outlines the main areas of discussion amongst the Provincials gathered there. The Ukrainian crisis was foremost in their deliberations with Jesuits from Poland, Ukraine, and Russia sharing their experiences of the war.
Provincials were also briefed on the work of the Jesuit Refugee Service with Ukrainian refugees, particularly the many millions seeking refuge in Poland, which is home to the largest Jesuit Provincialate in the world.
Ukraine was also on the agenda for Fr Abonkhianmeghe Orabator , President of the Jesuit Conference for Africa and Madagascar, who made a unique address to the JCEP via Zoom. He asked his fellow European Jesuits to keep in mind the impact the impact the war in Ukraine would have on African peoples, telling them that many would face starvation and also need assistance from Europe and Jesuit provinces around the world.
Fr Moloney also speaks about other issues that were attended to during the week including the planning for a large gathering of young people with Jesuit connections who will attend an Ignatian discernment event in Lisbon in preparation for World Youth Day with Pope Francis in 2023.