Almost 3 decades ago, General Congregation 34 created a document entitled “Jesuits and the Situation of Women in Church and Civil Society” (GC34, Decree 14). The document not only put into words the importance of women in the World and Church, but set into motion a process that would ensure women had an active voice in the leadership of the Society of Jesus. Over the following years the document would be instrumental in reshaping and refining the Society of Jesus. From female parish administrators, to women in the top positions of leadership at our educational institutions, the Society of Jesus pushed forward into a future that recognized and celebrated the part that women play in the life and ministry of the Society.

In March 2021, Fr General Arturo Sosa officially created the “Women’s Commission” to advise him on “the place of women in our institutions and in our priorities.” Originally created with ten members – six women, a layman and three Jesuits – the commission had a three-year mandate to achieve four objectives:

1. Evaluate the effectiveness of Decree 14 in promoting co-responsibility/collaboration and the inclusion of women in the apostolic planning of the Society of Jesus.

2. Evaluate the worldwide Society of Jesus as to how well it has encouraged the participation of women at all institutions levels.

3. Recommend ways to create environments that encourage and strengthen dialogue and collaboration between men and women in the apostolates of the Society of Jesus.

4. Recommend changes in the formation and structure of the Society that can promote effective integration and solidarity with our female colleagues.

Three years later, an expanded Women’s Commission – now including 9 women, two laymen and 5 Jesuits – have gathered at the Jesuit Curia in Rome to prepare their report. The conversations are privileged, and it will take some time to synthesize the final report, but Kenyan delegate Catherine Waiyaki was able to share her personal reflection on the process. “It has been three and a half years of gathering information. The results have brought forth a mix of emotions: hope, unexpected revelations, concerns, resistance, and moments of inspiration. The commission now gathers to reflect on these findings, find common ground, and develop recommendations to enhance justice and deepen collaboration between women and the Society of Jesus in the shared mission of Christ.”

Please pray for the Church, the Society of Jesus, and all who have supported this important work.