Superior General of the Society of Jesus

The Superior General of the Society of Jesus is the official title of the leader of the Society of Jesus—the Roman Catholic religious order also known as the Jesuits. The Superior General is addressed Father General, harkening back to the early military career of the founder and first Superior General of the Society, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, a Basque soldier. He organized his religious order into military units, thus the collective religious order is seen as a company led by a general.

Related Topics:
Society of Jesus - Roman Catholic - Religious order - Military - Career - Saint - Ignatius of Loyola - Basque - Soldier - Company - General

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As a major superior, the Superior General is styled "The Very Reverend" and is invested with ordinary power over the members of the society, similar to the power given to a bishop over the people of a diocese. Superiors General are elected by the General Congregation of the Society, summoned upon the resignation, retirement or death of an incumbent.

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Superiors General submit themselves to the direct authority of and service to the Pope, not local ordinaries. Superiors General are elected for life, and almost all have served life terms, the exception being Father Pedro Arrupe. The current Superior General of the Society is Father Peter Hans Kolvenbach.

Related Topics:
Pope - Pedro Arrupe - Peter Hans Kolvenbach

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