Malta Fr Sosa returns to visit the Euro-Mediterranean Province (EUM).After a visit to the Centro Astalli in Palermo in 2017, and in Trieste in 2018, a frontier of migration and reconciliation, and other places in Italy in the following years, the visit to the other countries of the EUM Province begins with the sojourn in Malta from 9 to 12 May. “A renewed attention to the territories of our reality, born in 2017”, the Provincial, Fr Roberto Del Riccio SJ, highlights. “A precious opportunity to get to know first-hand the needs and solutions to current difficulties, to support the journey that is in progress and the future steps to be taken.” “The journey sees all of us moving forward with determination in mission, keeping in mind the Universal Apostolic Preferences advocated by the Society at the global level”, Fr Michael Bugeja, EUM Delegate for Formation, adds. “Fr Sosa’s presence is a guide and inspiration at a crucial time of reflection and discernment on our common future. The purpose of the visit is multifaceted, mainly to foster closer ties with the Jesuits present, the network of Ignatian collaborators, friends and the local church community. It is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the Society in the territories of our Province by visiting the various apostolic works and communities.” Fr Arturo Sosa SJ visited the Paulo Freire Institute in Zejtun on 9 May, followed by a meeting with Maltese Jesuits at Loyola House in Naxxar. On 10 May he will be at St Aloysius College. On 11 May, he will meet the Archbishop, make a stop at the Jesuit Refugee Service and visit the University chaplaincy and residence. On 12 May, he will travel to Gozo, to the Jesuit Retreat House. The encounter with the different realities of the apostolic work will be a precious opportunity to deepen one’s direct knowledge and to reflect on current and future challenges. Romania "To experience being an active part of the Society in the world. To foster the desire for closer collaboration with the laity: on a cultural, social and spiritual level. To help them experience the importance of their mission in the Church and the special attention given by the Society. To promote close relations with the academic and ecclesial world, also through concrete proposals." These are some of the expectations of the Jesuits of the Community of Cluj, Romania. “We want to emphasise the apostolic value of community life”, Fr Henryk Urban, the Superior, explains, “and the importance of living one’s mission with passion. It will also be an important occasion to focus on some indications of how to face apostolically the current change of times.” From Bucharest, where the other community is located, the importance of being present in social and educational assistance given to the victims of the armed conflict resonates. “It can be helpful to view the situation from this perspective, at a time when strategic decisions are being taken at the level of the government of the Society in this part of the world.” “Fr Sosa, arrived on May 9th in Romania and he was in Cluj-Napoca to meet with the Rector of Babes-Bolyai University, the Dean of the Faculty of Greek-Catholic Theology, the Rector of the Seminary of Cluj and some professors”, Fr. Marius Talos, who is in charge of the community, explains. The university - now considered the best in the country - was originally founded by the Jesuit order in 1581 and last year awarded Fr Sosa an honorary doctorate. In the evening, Fr Sosa met members of Ignatian spirituality groups at the Manresa Centre, as well as friends and collaborators of the Jesuits. On Wednesday he travelled to Oradea, where he met the Roman Catholic and Greek Catholic Bishops of the Church in Romania. In the afternoon, he travelled to Bucharest, where he visited JRS Romania and met with the Jesuit community.

A new edition of the Ignatian Leadership Programme (ILP) kicked off on Monday, 11 March. This is a training organized by JECSE for a group of 18 school headmasters and executives. We gathered in Rodizio near Lisbon at the 'Casa de Exercícios de Santo Inácio', a retreat house beautifully located near the Atlantic Ocean. Five days later, we concluded the programme and enthusiastically said to each other 'See you in Warsaw in October'. Looking back on this week of formation, for me the reflection text at the start also goes to the core of the programme for this first module: 'Called as a leader for and with others'. Participants come from Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Germany, Portugal, Albania, Spain, Italy and France. The context in which we work is often very different, but one element we all share is the challenge of leading in a school rooted in Ignatius' vision. Guidance of the ILP is in the expert hands of Paul Yperman, Bart Van Emmerik s.J., Brian Flannery, Anne-Sophie De Decker and Lourenço Eiro s.J. I see the very diverse composition of our group as a unique opportunity to exchange and find inspiration. In doing so, I experience great gratitude for the fine, enriching conversations, the international contacts and the opportunities in this group to gain a broader view and be challenged in vision and identity. The programme in Rodizio was well filled, following a predictable pattern. For the bravest (and the Belgian delegation lived up to Caesar's famous words there), the day started each time with an inspiring walk along the beautiful coast. This morning activity could perhaps not count on enthusiasm because of the less matinal companions; I gladly accepted Bart and Anne-Sophie's offer for this pleasant morning ritual. After breakfast, we started the programme with a moment of reflection followed by a number of plenary sessions. In these, we could also exchange among ourselves each time about the content we were offered. From different frames of mind about emotions, relationships, choices, behavior and communication, we were offered valuable input for a week in a very multi-faceted programme on leadership and Ignatian spirituality. The great added value lay in the connection between these two perspectives. We also held small-group reflection discussions each time. Using the ignatian spiritual conversation methodology, we tried to discover on a personal level the deeper movements we experienced with the insights we were offered each time. Each day we gathered in the evening in the house chapel where a very simple but deeply symbolic work of art gave the space sacredness. We ended our working day here each time with a celebration of mass: a moment of reflection and singing together, of retrospection and peace. At lunchtime and in the evening we shared a typical Portuguese meal: at the table we got to know each other better and, as usual, we always ended the day with a "social" for which each brought a speciality from their country. On Wednesday afternoon, a visit to Sintra was also planned: a relaxing trip during which we happened to meet a group from a Jesuit college from Dallas. By then the group atmosphere was already good, especially after the evening dinner on site with accompanying conviviality. When CEBECO invited me to participate in this programme, I gratefully and curiously accepted the invitation. On the one hand, the content of the programme is familiar because it takes up a number of familiar frameworks on leadership, but the depth lies in the bridge to the Ignatian perspective. This link was offered in very different ways each time: a presentation on Ignatius' choices in leadership, an interview with a Jesuit at the head of a youth centre in Lisbon on the challenges he had experienced in his leadership, a session on using the ignatian 'modo de proceder' in leading a school, the discussion of spirituality within an ignatian listening conversation, a presentation on the examination, discovering the space for the Spirit's working in your actions. With a suitcase full of inspiration, I returned from Portugal. The objective now is to hold on to the insights and inspiration of the ILP. En route to the second training week in October, our facilitators keep the spirit alive and we stay connected through the assignments we were given. In the hustle and bustle of running a school, it will be a challenge to still walk, not run, thus securing Rodizio's ideas in word and deed.

Europeans will be called on to vote for their representatives in the European Parliament, from Thursday to Sunday, June 6 – 9, 2024. In a year marked by elections in many key countries (United States, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Pakistan to name only a few), the European elections might be an outlier, not being national elections, but they are certainly not the least important. Almost 400 million European citizens are eligible to vote. This makes the elections second only to India’s federal elections in terms of representative democracy worldwide. Insofar as they influence EU policies, their impact is global. While the European Union might not be the economic powerhouse it once was, it still belongs, with the United States and China, to a very select group of states defining world politics at large. European elections are also a unique affair. They span many different countries with wildly different history, traditions and languages. They mobilize dozens, if not hundreds, of political parties at national level, all offering their take on the issues of the day. They belong to a supranational system linking nation-states in a network of institutions and common obligations, in a setup that still is largely one of its kind. The following pages do not pretend to offer a comprehensive view of all that is at stake in the 2024 European elections. A few pages obviously would not be enough. They only aim to present some challenges facing the elections, highlight their potential impact and identify a few crucial issues which Europe faces today, from a Catholic perspective. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE

JRS launches “Dear European Parliament”, a campaign to vote for a welcoming Europe The upcoming European Parliament Elections, held between 6 and 9 of June, represent an opportunity for all citizens to use their vote to help co-create the Europe they envision.  In this context, JRS Europe has launched “Dear European Parliament”, a campaign calling on all EU citizens to vote by highlighting how the EU parliament decisions can foster solidarity and hospitality, end migration detention, stop policies outsourcing the responsibility to protect those in need and expand safe and legal ways of reaching Europe. In terms of solidarity and hospitality, the campaign highlights that the current reception system is failing both asylum seekers (by imposing inhumane reception conditions) and Members states (by placing disproportionate amount of responsibility on the countries at the borders of the EU). In contrast, it calls on the European Parliament to question the status quo and create a common hospitality-driven system based on EU values. With regards to migration detention, the message is clear: detaining thousands of people, including children, for their immigration status is harmful and ineffective. The next European Parliament should strongly question the use of such an extreme measure and ask for the implementation of alternatives to detention. The EU and its Member States are increasingly trying to outsource their responsibilities to protect refugees by signing agreements with countries outside the EU who agree to readmit asylum seekers. Many of these countries violate human rights and represent a risk for the people who are sent back. In the face of this worrying trend, the campaign calls on the EU to act as watchdog and look critically into this kind of agreements. Finally, the campaign underlines the lack of legal and safe ways to reach protection in Europe. The procedures and criteria to obtain existing visas do not adapt to the situation of people fleeing conflict or persecution. JRS Europe calls on the next European Parliament to be vocal on the need to expand safe and legal access to protection and to invest in robust reception systems.  The campaign hopes to particularly mobilize young voters by not only raising awareness on these four issues in an engaging and easy to understand manner, but also highlight that there are alternatives and solutions.  Through four short fast-paced videos exploring one topic each, the campaign makes the case for understanding these topics from a human perspective and understand how the European Parliament decisions can spark change around the continent. Videos are available in English, Flemish, French, Polish, Romanian and Spanish and you can access them here: https://jrseurope.org/en/project/deareuropeanparliament/ If you want to learn more about the European Elections and how to use your vote, visit https://together.europarl.europa.eu/    

Building a culture of safeguarding is a paramount consideration for all Jesuit and companion schools within the JECSE (Jesuit European Committee for Primary and Secondary Education) network. In 2019, the Secretariat for Education of the Society of Jesus underscored that "Jesuit schools are committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for all" (Jesuit Schools: a Living Tradition in the 21st Century – An Ongoing Exercise of Discernment), thus making safeguarding a key indicator among the ten identifiers guiding our schools. Although awareness of the need to take action in the area of safeguarding has significantly increased in recent years, many schools still face challenges due to a lack of resources, qualified staff, and experience to address these needs adequately. Consequently, JECSE, in collaboration with ZIP (Zentrum für Ignatianische Pädagogik - the Centre for Ignatian Pedagogy), aims to continue supporting schools in the field of safeguarding and to work collaboratively with them to strengthen the culture of protection. A survey conducted jointly by JECSE and ZIP in September 2023, along with interviews involving stakeholders engaged in safeguarding implementation across various levels within schools, has identified several key needs: - Enhanced access to model materials and tools - Sharing of best practice - Staff training on safeguarding - Guidance on staff training methodologies - Assistance in implementing activities, personalized advice, and expert support. In response to these identified needs, the new ZIP-JECSE project entitled "Safeguarding – From Awareness to Action" has been established to offer comprehensive support to our schools in these critical areas. Preparing a detailed school safeguarding roadmap In April 2024, a new Safeguarding project commenced in Ludwigshafen, Germany. An international Safeguarding Advisory Group, comprising representatives from various Provinces including Safeguarding and Education Delegates, School Safeguarding Coordinators, and Heads, convened for its initial meeting. During this session, they formulated a comprehensive school safeguarding roadmap and developed supplementary tools and materials aimed at enhancing schools' engagement in fostering a culture of protection. These resources will undergo consultation with schools to ensure their effectiveness. „We are developing a culture of protection in all the schools that belongs to the JECSE network. Schools will facilitate a proactive, ongoing process of reflection and discernment about the safe school environment more broadly, and encourage methods and activities that support a positive, safe `Ignatian school climate´“, said Ulrike Gentner, Director of the Center for Ignatian Pedagogy (ZIP) in Ludwigshafen. The members of the advisory group were very convinced of the project and its necessity: “I’m happy to collaborate in this project around safeguarding. Our pedagogical project calls us to create a safe environment for our students, inspired by authentic Cura Personalis. It gives joy to work with a group of committed colleagues who want to care, from a shared concern, for the children entrusted to our schools“, emphasized Frederik Van Rampelberg (Education Delegate - Belgium North). „Thank you for this moment of sharing, it is also formative for me, generative of new ideas. It makes me feel on a journey, beautiful and shared, and shows me a vocational ideal that it is beautiful to feel in myself and in others. Together we can do something!”, added Prof. Giuseppe Mannino (Psicologo Clinico, Psicoterapeuta, Analista esistenziale, Esperto in formazione umana e psicologia della pace). “It has become obvious during our recent conversations that different schools in the various jurisdictions covered by the JECSE network are at different stages of Development in relation to Child Protection. Many of our schools cannot rely on a legal framework as of yet. We believe that it is important that best practice is shared and effectively disseminated so that Children in all our schools enjoy the safest possible environment where they can flourish and thrive.” (Damon McCaul, Headmaster, Gonzaga College SJ, Dublin, Ireland). Making schools safe places For Cathrin Rieger, education officer at Heinrich Pesch Haus and ZIP, it is a pleasure to be involved in this international prevention project: “Learning from each other, exchanging ideas and continuing to work together to make schools and institutions safe places for children, young people and adults. We also have to face new challenges — prevention never stops! Cyber-bullying, dangers on the Internet, peer violence, parental work, etc. are new challenges that we have to face,” she said. “We will not be able to carry out this huge task only with wise documents but spreading and sharing all around a sense of enthusiasm, hope and commitment. We have the chance to foster safeguarding culture in our schools throughout Europe“, said Manuel Fariñas de Alba (Director Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid). Safeguarding is an ongoing process JECSE Director Agnieszka Baran expressed her confidence that the joint effort and cooperation of all involved in the project will yield positive outcomes for the schools within the network. "It is paramount that our network continues to collaborate to reinforce the culture of safeguarding in our schools. We are heartened by the significant progress we have achieved in this realm in recent years. However, safeguarding remains an ongoing endeavour, and there is still much to be accomplished," she remarked. Agnieszka Baran extended gratitude to the Centre for Ignatian Pedagogy for its support and coordination of this project with JECSE. "I am also deeply impressed by the dedication of all participants in this meeting to engage with us on the challenges confronting our schools in the realm of safeguarding and how we can best address them," stated the JECSE Director. She further expressed appreciation to the entire Heinrich Pesch House team for warmly hosting the group and for fostering a supportive environment conducive to addressing the challenging issue of protecting the most vulnerable from abuse.

Fifty-five years after the expulsion of the Jesuits of Al Hikma University from Iraq in 1969—the Jesuits of Baghdad College had already been expelled in 1968—the Jesuits have bought a house in Baghdad. The property in Karrada, a central neighborhood of Baghdad city, is not yet habitable and needs extensive renovation. The house will serve as legal address for registering the Jesuits as a religious community under the Latin Bishopric of Baghdad. Upon completion of the works, the two-floor house will be able to accommodate three Jesuits and will have meeting and conference spaces as well as a small chapel. The well-constructed buildings of Baghdad College and Al Hikma University, situated a few kilometers apart in Sulaikh and Za'afraniya neighbourhoods, respectively, are still standing. Baghdad College is still one of the top government schools for boys. The former Al Hikma is now the Middle Technical University. Both had been expropriated without compensation, although the church of Baghdad College was later entrusted to the custody of Chaldean Catholic Church. Later, the church had been vandalized and was deconsecrated. Significantly, the graves of five American Jesuits who had served heritage in Baghdad lie within the perimeter of the church that is listed as a historical building. The purchase of the property in Karrada could be instrumental for the recovery of the church and its registration under the endowment of the Latin Bishopric of Baghdad as well as for seeking to obtain some form of compensation for the remaining expropriated properties. These efforts are not an exercise to turn the clock back. Rather, the guiding vision is to listen to the Holy Spirit, to understand how Jesuits may selflessly and creatively serve God's children in Iraq in the future. Formation of Christians in the faith, spiritual support to sisters and priests, and reaching out to the youth of the country feature prominently among the pastoral challenges and opportunities of this long-suffering country. The harvest is indeed great.