25 April 2006
Others
In 2006, the 500th anniversary of the births of Francis Xavier (1506-1552) and Blessed Pedro Fabro (1506- 1546) coincide with the 450th anniversary of Ignatius of Loyola?s death (1491-1556). This has led Deusto Forum to reflect on the early beginnings, past and present of the Company of Jesus, five centuries after its presence in the Church and society.
This conference cycle is entitled: ?Jesuitas: una misión, un proyecto? . It aims to examine the mission that twelve people, led by Ignatius of Loyola, undertook in Rome, the heart of the Catholic Church in 1540. And 16 years later, following Ignatius?s death, and with approximately 1,000 jesuits throughout Europe and in other parts of the world - hence Francisco de Javier de Asia-, this project is still alive today. Ignatius and Francisco, the twelve iñiguistas ,as they were called before being known as jesuits, met at the University of Paris when they did not have a well-defined idea of what they wanted yet. Their influence, however, is still strong today.
Deusto Forum aims to deal with both figures in particular and the Jesuits?Mission and Project in general, from a historical perspective, but seen from a modern viewpoint. It aims to illustrate the Project?s singularity, some features of its background, its constant changes? Also, it is intended to show some vicissitudes of the jesuits? presence today, their role after Vatican II, their mission in the public dimension of the church, the impact of their leadership principles, which are still so present in today?s confused society.
This cycle started last 24 May and a number of lecturers were invited to participate in this conference cycle: on 24 January, José Ignacio Tellechea,emeritus professor of History of the Church at The Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, gave a lecture on ?Semblanza de Ignacio de Loyola?, and on 21 February, Manuel Revuelta González, professor of History of Spain at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas, spoke about ?Jesuitas en América: Utopía y realidad en las reducciones del Paraguay?. On 16 March, Isidoro Pinedo, emeritus professor of Modern History at the University of Deusto, lectured on ?Muerte y resurrección de la Compañía de Jesús (1773-1814)?, and on 4 April, Philippe Lécrivain, professor of History of Christianity at the Jesuit Faculties in Paris (Centre Svres), gave a lecture on ?Las misiones jesuíticas en China y su entorno, durante los siglo XVI al XVIII? . Other lectures that will be held include: on 23 May, Pedro Miguel Lamet, writer, poet and journalist, will speak about the ?Perfil humano y gesta apostólica de Francisco de Javier?; on 31 May, Urbano Valero, PhD in Law and Counsellor on Legal Affairs and of the Institute of the Company of Jesus, will lecture on ?La Compañía de Jesús después del Concilio Vaticano II? . On 28 November, Alfonso Alvarez Volado, emeritus professor of Church/Society Relationships at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid, will speak about ?Al servicio de la dimensión pública de la Iglesia?.
This cycle will be closed byJaime Oraá, Rector of the University of Deusto, with a lecture on the role of Catholic universities in the promotion of justice. Also,Chris Lowney, writer and counsellor at the Católiav Medical Commission ?Heroic leadership. Best practises from a 450-year-old- Company that changed the world?, is expected to attend this cycle. He will focus on the topic ?El liderazgo al estilo de los jesuitas?. Along with these lectures, a number of lectures have been organised, like that given by Fabio Salviato, President of Banca Popolare Etica, last 16 February, and that by philosopher Gianni Vattimo, which is due in November.
