The Women’s Commission in the process of attentive listening for Justice and Equity
On International Women’s Day 3 years ago, Father GeneralArturo Sosa created the Commission on the Role and Responsibilities of Women in the Society of Jesus. Its responsibility is to 1) evaluate the appropriation of Decree 14 of General Congregation 34, “Jesuits and the Situation of Women in Church & Civil Society”; 2) evaluate the participation and position of women and the structures of collaboration at all levels in institutions of the Society of Jesus and its apostolic works; and 3) make recommendations to the different levels of leadership in the Society of Jesus to strengthen the mission of the Society with the active participation of women.
Where are we at TODAY?
This year, the global Commission on the Role and Responsibilities of Women of the Society of Jesus has been actively engaged in attentive listening. This process involves carefully taking in the experiences and perceptions shared by women and men, including religious women and Jesuits, across the six Conferences.
One of the notable activities, in 2023, was a comprehensive review of the global survey results conducted by the Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC) of the Ateneo de Manila University, located in the Philippines. The survey gathered the participation of around 1,400 collaborators regarding their perceptions of the role and responsibilities of women in Jesuit institutions and activities, how these perceptions of women translate into current practices and ways forward in Jesuit institutions, and what recommendations the Commission can present to the Superior General of the Jesuits to improve the participation of women in Jesuit institutions.
Based on the richness shared by the survey participants, the Commission members determined that attentive listening should continue and deepen to nurture their reflection and communal discernment to respond to the call of Father General. Consequently, over the next few months, the Commission will prioritize listening and amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, and the answers that should be deepened, especially from women.
The members of the Commission aim that all these voices with profound
experience and wisdom of the global community will be the compass to guide
their recommendations to Father General to strengthen the Society’s mission
through the active participation of all partners, particularly women, through
just and discerned practices as our way of proceeding.
Prayer, reflection, meditation
By Jenéne M. Francis (in JIVAN Magazine)
The Women’s Commission itself is an example of discernment in common, responding from the movement of the Spirit. Therefore, we invite you to take a moment and pray with us by reflecting and discerning individually or with your colleagues.
In the book of Revelation, the Son of Man, Jesus, says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (...) Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Rev 3:20, 22 – NIV)
One of the first steps of discernment is to pray for interior freedom to be able to hear the Spirit. Recall when you first heard about the Women’s Commission. Did your ‘heart leap for joy’? Or did the doors of your heart start to swing closed with anxiety or fear?
As you consider the Commission’s mandates now, do the survey and discernment process increase your sense of hopefulness for the role and responsibilities of women in the Society of Jesus?
You might also be experiencing some resistance. Pray for the graces you
need to name and surrender what might get in the way of listening to what women
want to tell you about their lived experiences as friends and companions in the
Lord.
* To refresh your memory or to know better about the Commission and its process, you may read these articles:
• 8 March 2021: It’s Women’s Day for the Jesuits too! (8 March 2021)
• Women’s Day - 1st Anniversary of the Commission on the Role of Women (7 March 2022)
• Highlighting the role of women in strengthening mission (25 October 2022)
• The Women’s participation in the Jesuit world – a global survey (2 November 2002)
• The Women’s Commission, at the end of its meeting in Rome (4 November 2022)
• Ongoing works of the “Commission on Women” (8 March 2023)
Related Posts:
Fr. Tim McCabe is the Director of the Pope Francis Center in Detroit, Michigan. His apostolate serves the poor and homeless of the city. The Center was one of the works of the United States Midwest Province (UMI) visited by Fr. General Arturo Sosa in early April.
Br. Jim Boynton, SJ, is the 30th President of University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. With almost four decades of teaching and leadership experience, he has a unique perspective of the connectedness of the worldwide Society of Jesus...
During his visitation to the Provinces, Fr. General always tries to participate in an ordination of a Jesuit or to preside a celebration of Final Vows. During the time he spent recently in the United States Midwest Province (UMI), he had the pleasure of receiving the Final Vows...
Fr. General Arturo Sosa visited Milwaukee on Sunday, 7 April, bringing much consolation to the Jesuits and apostolic leaders of the area. The weather was not very springlike, but the occasion was lively, warm, and inspiring.
We publish here for your information an article from the Justice and Peace Commission of the Holy Land
Time passes and memories fade, but how long would it take to dull the pain of the tragic explosion at the Port of Beirut on 4 August 2020 that destroyed or damaged a large part of the city? No Lebanese, no matter where they live, can forget.
