On Saturday, January 19, the delegates of the 35th General Congregation selected the 19th successor to St. Ignatius Loyola to lead the Society. Father Adolfo Nicolas, a Spanish Jesuit of the Japanese Province, is our new General Superior. The picture shows Father General with the Zambia/Malawi delegates, Peter Bwanali, Provincial, and Charles Chilinda, director of Loyola Productions, the elected delegate. Peter and Charles live at St. Ignatius and it has been a real gift to come to know them. Being out of Province at a time like this is a wonderful gift, for it helps one experience the universality of the Society of Jesus. The men in Zambia share the excitement of the men in Seattle and the Northwest. We become more aware that we are all of one Society. The new General brings qualities reminiscent of Father Arrupe. A missionary to Japan and to southeast Asia. He has experience in leadership as the moderator of the Southeast Asia and Oceania Jesuit Conference. We are getting reports from people who know him and he sounds like a remarkable man. The missionary background was no surprise, but his age was a surprise as he is 71 years of age. He has great vitality and energy, speaks five languages and has worked with a great variety of cultures and religions.
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