Pedro Arrupe 3 of 5

Summary

Pedro Arrupe, the 28th Superior General of the Jesuits, embraced the transformative message of the Second Vatican Council, advocating for a church engaged with the world's social and technological changes. His vision, infectious and dynamic, emphasized the need for Jesuits to be at the forefront of addressing global issues like poverty and injustice. Arrupe's legacy continues through initiatives like the Jesuit Refugee Service and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, embodying the Jesuit mission of service to faith and the promotion of justice.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Father Pedro Arrupe was a key figure in embracing the message of the Second Vatican Council and the 31st General Congregation, focusing on the Church's role in the world.
• 🌐 He emphasized the need for the Church to adapt to the social and technological changes of the time, recognizing the challenges and dynamism within society.
• 🙏 Arrupe believed in the importance of faith illuminating the way to address the world's problems, advocating for a service that is both spiritual and responsive to material needs.
• 🌱 He promoted the idea that Jesuits should be unselfish and devoted to working for others, encapsulated in the motto 'Amen and Allelujah', signifying commitment to God's will and happiness in doing so.
• 🌍 His vision extended beyond Jesuits to include laypeople, influencing faith and justice initiatives like the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and the Ignatian Volunteer Corps.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Arrupe's legacy is particularly evident in the Jesuit Refugee Service, an organization he initiated to address the plight of refugees, which continues to serve millions worldwide.
• 🔄 He faced resistance from those within the Church who were uncomfortable with his emphasis on change and adaptation, viewing it as a departure from traditional practices.
• 📜 To address internal dissent and to solidify his vision, Arrupe convened the 32nd General Congregation, which resulted in the decree 'Our Mission Today: The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice'.
• 🗳️ Despite heated debates, the decree was ultimately passed with an overwhelming majority, reaffirming Arrupe's direction for the Jesuit mission and the importance of social justice.
• 🌱 Arrupe's emphasis on ongoing formation went beyond academic theology to include changing attitudes and adapting to the world's evolving needs.

Q & A

What was the message of the Second Vatican Council and the 31st General Congregation that AR Rupé embraced?

AR Rupé embraced the message of the Second Vatican Council and the 31st General Congregation concerning the church's role in the world, emphasizing a new birth and a dynamic approach to the challenges of social and technological change.

How did AR Rupé's approach to the vision of the church affect the Jesuits?

AR Rupé's personable, knowledgeable, and convincing approach made the vision of the church not only credible but also infectious among the Jesuits, inspiring them to engage with the challenges of the world.

What was the challenge that AR Rupé believed the church was facing at the time?

AR Rupé saw the church facing challenges that society had never had before, including tremendous social and technological changes, and a need to address the world's problems illuminated by faith.

What is the significance of the phrase 'Amen and Allelujah' in AR Rupé's vision?

In AR Rupé's vision, 'Amen and Allelujah' represents a commitment to doing God's will and finding happiness in serving others, which he believed should be the motto of Jesuits and lay people alike.

How did AR Rupé's ideals influence faith and justice initiatives today?

AR Rupé's ideals have influenced faith and justice initiatives like the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and the Ignatian Volunteer Corps, which are tailored for Jesuit schools and parishes to serve faith and promote justice.

What was the primary motivation behind the establishment of the Jesuit Refugee Service?

The Jesuit Refugee Service was established by AR Rupé in response to the plight of Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s and serves the growing number of refugees worldwide.

What did AR Rupé believe was necessary for a coherent faith and apostolate?

AR Rupé believed that a coherent faith and apostolate must include faith and justice, as he saw poverty and injustice as deeply rooted in the systems of the world.

Why did some Jesuits resist AR Rupé's emphasis on change and adaptation?

Some Jesuits resisted AR Rupé's emphasis on change and adaptation because they believed it was a personal agenda that downgraded religious discipline and prayer, leading to a request for separation from the Society of Jesus.

What was the outcome of the 32nd General Congregation in relation to AR Rupé's priorities?

The 32nd General Congregation issued the decree 'Our Mission Today: The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice,' which, despite being hotly debated, passed with an overwhelming majority, confirming AR Rupé's priorities.

How did AR Rupé address the resistance and challenges he faced within the Society of Jesus?

AR Rupé addressed resistance by convening the 32nd General Congregation to clarify issues and gain support for the decisions made, emphasizing the need for ongoing formation and change in attitudes.

Outlines

00:00

🌟 Visionary Leadership of AR Rupé

AR Rupé, a charismatic and knowledgeable leader, embraced the progressive messages of the Second Vatican Council and the 31st General Congregation. He traveled extensively to engage with Jesuits worldwide, spreading a vision of the Church's role in a rapidly changing world. His charisma made the vision not only credible but also infectious. Rupé recognized the challenges and dynamism within the Church due to social and technological changes, advocating for a faith-informed approach to global issues. He emphasized the need for the Church to adapt its service and spirituality to meet contemporary needs, particularly in social justice, globalization, women's rights, development, and human rights. His vision extended to the youth, encouraging them to believe in their potential. Rupé's ideals of 'Amen' and 'Allelujah' were not confined to Jesuits but extended to laypeople, influencing faith and justice initiatives like the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and the Ignatian Volunteer Corps. His legacy is particularly evident in the Jesuit Refugee Service, an organization he initiated in response to the plight of Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s, which continues to serve the growing number of refugees worldwide.

05:02

🔄 Navigating Change and Resistance

AR Rupé's commitment to the 31st General Congregation's vision led to tensions within the Society of Jesus, particularly among a faction that felt the new emphasis on social action and perceived downgrading of religious discipline and prayer represented a departure from traditional values. This group, mainly European Jesuits, sought separation from Rupé's leadership, proposing to the Vatican to form a 'discussed' Jesuit order. Pope Paul VI, concerned by the request, sought advice from Spanish bishops, who warned against such a division. Despite this, Rupé faced ongoing resistance from those who saw his focus on change and adaptation as a personal agenda. To address these issues and garner support for his vision, Rupé convened the 32nd General Congregation. This assembly was crucial for clarifying the Society's direction and priorities, particularly around the service of faith and the promotion of justice. The 32nd General Congregation's decree, 'Our Mission Today: The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice,' was hotly debated but ultimately passed with a significant majority, affirming Rupé's approach and the Society's commitment to social justice as an embodiment of God's love and saving mercy.

Keywords

💡Second Vatican Council

The Second Vatican Council was a major event in the Catholic Church that took place between 1962 and 1965, aiming to modernize Church practices and engage more with the modern world. In the script, it is mentioned as a key influence on AR Rupe’s vision of the Church's role in addressing contemporary social and spiritual challenges.

💡31st General Congregation

The 31st General Congregation was a significant meeting of Jesuits, during which important decisions about the Society of Jesus' direction were made. It emphasized the need for the Church to be more involved in the modern world, especially in addressing social justice issues. This congregation influenced AR Rupe’s mission to integrate faith with justice.

💡Faith and Justice

Faith and justice are central concepts in AR Rupe’s vision of the Jesuit mission, stressing that true faith must include the promotion of justice in society. This combination is a recurring theme in the script, where AR Rupe argues that serving God also means addressing social inequalities and defending human rights.

💡Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS)

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international organization founded by AR Rupe to aid refugees. It began in response to the plight of Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s and continues to serve millions of refugees worldwide. In the video, JRS is highlighted as a key expression of Rupe’s commitment to justice and human dignity.

💡Social Change

Social change refers to the profound transformations occurring in the world, including technological advancements and shifts in societal structures. AR Rupe emphasizes that the Church must adapt its spirituality and service to meet the challenges posed by these changes, ensuring it remains relevant in addressing modern problems.

💡Globalization

Globalization, as discussed in the script, refers to the increasing interconnectedness of the world, particularly in the context of economic, social, and cultural exchanges. AR Rupe argues that the Jesuit mission must be international in scope, addressing global issues such as poverty, human rights, and social justice.

💡Third World

The term 'Third World' is used in the script to describe developing nations facing extreme poverty and other systemic challenges. AR Rupe stresses the importance of helping the poor and marginalized, advocating for more international efforts to address inequality and suffering in these regions.

💡Promotion of Justice

The promotion of justice is a core Jesuit mission under AR Rupe's leadership, meaning the active effort to create a more equitable society through addressing social, economic, and political injustices. The script shows how this idea became a cornerstone of Jesuit ministries, integrating religious faith with activism.

💡General Congregation 32

The 32nd General Congregation of the Jesuits, convened by AR Rupe, reinforced the mission of faith and justice as central to Jesuit work. This gathering formalized many of Rupe’s ideas and priorities, despite facing internal resistance from more traditional members of the Jesuit order.

💡Amen and Alleluia

Amen and Alleluia are symbolic expressions of faith and joy, respectively. In the video, AR Rupe uses these words to describe the ideal attitude of Jesuits and laypeople alike: to commit fully to God’s will (Amen) while doing so with joy and enthusiasm (Alleluia), embodying a life of service and happiness.

Highlights

AR rupe energetically embraces the message of the second Vatican Council, emphasizing the church's role in the world.

He travels worldwide to communicate with Jesuits, making the vision of the church's role credible and infectious.

AR rupe sees the church as being in a moment of new birth, facing challenges that society has never had before.

The dynamism in the church today is attributed to social and technological changes in the world.

The church must address the world's problems illuminated by faith, as people have many new problems but lack answers.

AR rupe calls for a change in the church's service to adapt to the real needs of today's world.

The church's mission includes healing the poor and helping the third world, emphasizing an international approach.

Christ is seen as the Redeemer of the whole man, even materially, leading to a focus on integrating salvation with the world's needs.

AR rupe envisions Jesuits as being completely devoted and unselfish, working for the service of others.

The motto 'Amen and Allelujah' is introduced, signifying doing God's will and finding happiness in it.

AR rupe's ideal applies to both Jesuits and lay people, shaping faith and justice initiatives.

Programs like the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and the Ignatian Volunteer Corps are tailored for Jesuit campuses and parishes.

The vision of service of faith and promotion of justice is transmitted externally, aligning with social justice and human rights.

The legacy of Pedro Arup, particularly in the Jesuit Refugee Service, continues to address the plight of refugees.

AR rupe concludes that to be coherent in faith, the church must promote justice and address systemic poverty.

Resistance from some Jesuits leads to a request for separation, but AR rupe remains committed to change and adaptation.

The 32nd General congregation is convened to clarify issues and support AR rupe's priorities.

The decree 'Our Mission Today: The Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice' is issued, affirming AR rupe's vision.

Transcripts

[Music]

AR rupe energetically Embraces the

message of the second Vatican Council

and the 31st General congregation

concerning the church in the

world he took the message from home he

went all over the world talking to

Jesuits he wanted to talk to Jesuits but

he he was so personable so knowledgeable

so convincing it wasn't that he just

made the vision credible he made it

infectious that was the thing he had he

made it

infectious he say a rich today in the

world coming today to a new birth we are

in a very interesting moment of the

history today we have a challenge that

perhaps never had in

society you you can appreciate the

tremendous dynamism in the church today

and that comes for the tremendous change

social change technological change in

the world

[Applause]

we have to think about the tremendous

problems of the world of today

illuminated by

faith that is very interesting the

people have so many new problems but no

[Applause]

answers we have to be very careful to

see what are the changes in the world

because that will mean for us also a

change of the service but not only that

because also we are in middle of the

world therefore that support for us a

tremendous responsibility to adapt our

spirituality to the real need of

[Music]

today we have to to heal the poor or to

help the third world or we have to buy

much more International in in our

activity Christ is the Redeemer of the

whole man even

materially therefore we have to see how

to combine how to integrate the

salvation of the whole

man today with the world needs are

people completely devoted unselfish

working for the others I would say the

Yes Should me should be men of amen and

Allelujah amen is because to do always

the will of God

and Allelujah because making the will of

God they should be very happy and that

is I think the motto of the Y of today

amen Allelujah I don't know very good

very

good AR rupe's ideal of amen and

Allelujah applies not just to Jesuits

but to lay people as

well his desire to see men and women

working for others continues to shape

faith and Justice initiatives

today like the Jesuit volunteer Corp and

the ignatian volunteer Corp and programs

individually tailored for Jesuit

university and high school campuses and

parishes each pursuing in its own way

the service of faith and the promotion

of

[Music]

Justice this Vision which we can say is

positive will be transmitted externally

to all

I think the messages of Father Arup go

hand inhand with social justice with

globalization with women's rights with

development with the defense of human

rights with universal Brotherhood Etc

also to the youth to believe in the

youth as well the legacy of Pedro Arup

lives on most particularly in the Jesuit

Refugee service the one service

organization he personally initiated on

an international basis Jrs began in

response to the plight of Vietnamese

boat people in the

1970s and serves an Ever growing wave of

refugees today that numbers more than 40

million around the

[Music]

world he had come to an early conclusion

AR rupe

that if we were going to be coherent in

our faith we really had to promote

Justice he'd seen Injustice all over

over the world he knew that the greater

part of people in the world live in a

state of utter poverty and that that

poverty is is radicate in the systems so

he knew this and and he he felt so

strong he was convinced that uh if we're

going to have a coherent you know one

that's believer apostolate and and Min

set of Ministries it has to include

faith and Justice you have to change

because the world is changing and then

goes the ongoing formation who is not

just to have two weeks of theology

sometime some book some professors

speaking of theology no no it's much

more than that how to change the

attitudes a lot of people uh are sort of

uh uneasy with these changes uh wonder

whether wonder whether we've changed too

much gone too far his faithfulness to

that 31st General congregation has been

one of the points of

friction between a rupe and at least a

small section of the society which went

as far as a request to the pop to get

kind of separation of part of the

Society of Jesus which would remain

allegedly faithful to the old way of

life a disaffected group of European

Jesuits were particularly unhappy about

the new emphasis on social action and

what they considered a downgrading of

religious discipline and prayer they

proposed to the Vatican to break off

from the arope Leed Society to become

so-called discuss

Jesuits Paul the 6 was concerned about

it and made a an

inquiry with the Spanish Bishops because

that was mainly in Spain as a matter of

fact and uh he he asked the Spanish

Bishop say if I do accept that request

what happens and so on and I would say

thanks God the Spanish Bishops were wise

enough to say that would be very

dangerous Holy Father but this would not

be the end of it for a rupe those

Spanish Jesuits had deep ties in the

hierarchical Maze of the Vatican and

they would in a sense have the final

word

[Music]

continuing to face resistance from some

Jesuits who consider his emphasis on

change and adaptation to be a Personal

Agenda Arup determines to convene

another General congregation to either

ratify or modify his

priorities Arup not alone but advised by

very

many came to the conclusion that he

would need to call a 32nd General

congregation uh to bring together the

major legislating body of the society to

clarify a certain number of issues to

give him the support he needed in order

to put into practice the decisions made

before I am convinced that the society

needs now a general congregation it's a

necessity and I think it's no question

for nobody in the society today to doubt

about the longlasting important matters

we have to deal with difficult matters

and pertaining to the whole society

everything is new and we have they have

there a challenge to for us we oblig us

to go to the bottom of our spirituality

but naturally we have to stop and think

and to reflect to evaluate and to see

whether now we are going the right

path in 1975 the 32nd General

congregation issues the decree our

mission today the service of faith and

the promotion of Justice the document is

so hotly debated that it is not voted on

until the last day of the meeting when

it finally passes with an overwhelming

majority it removes all doubts that aupe

is on the right

track and so one of the main things was

uh articulating and promulgating a

mission statement for our society of

Jesus today that would be in line with

our original documents but boy it was a

long time and a very difficult road we

had to pursue to come to this probably

the best expression we had about Jesuit

Mission it's the service of Faith that's

what we're there for but that service of

faith has to include a promotion of that

Justice in society which is the

embodiment of God's love and saving

Mercy