.- The
General House of the Society of Jesus reported this week that the
number of Jesuits in the world has dropped by 286 during the last year,
thus confirming a 16 year-long downward trend in the order’s vocations.
According to the
Fides news agency, as of January 1, 2006, there were 19,564 Jesuits in
the world, whereas in 2005 the number was 19,850.
The current
number of Jesuit priests is 13,735 (231 less than in 2005), the number
of brothers is 1,865 (56 less than in 2005), and the number of novices
is 897 (down from 909 in 2005). Only the number of scholastics
has seen an increase of 13 since last year, totaling 3,067.
The median age
of 57 is another important factor for the Jesuits. The average
age of priests is 63, scholastics, 29, and brothers, 66.
Geographically, in Latin America there are 2,957 Jesuits, 60 less than
in 2005. In North America there are 3,034, 183 less than in 2005.
In Europe there are 6,447, 192 less than in 2005.
The Jesuits have
seen growth in Asia, however, with 42 new members this year among a
total of 5,698. In Africa their numbers are 5,698—up by 429 from
2005.
An important
part of the universal mission entrusted to the Society is carried out
by the Houses in Rome directly dependent on the Father General (General
House, Gregorian University, Istituto Biblico, Istituto Orientale,
Vatican Observatory, Vatican Radio, "La Cività Cattolica", other
hostels and formation houses), reports Fides.
The 446 members
of these houses who still belong to their original provinces in the
year 2005-2006 include 3 cardinals, 374 priests, 39 scholastics and 30
Brothers.
Jesuits acknowledge drop in vocations
Related news
- Pope to Jesuits: continue important apostolate, but maintain intact the true spirit of founder St. Ignatius
- Relics of St. Francis Xavier to be brought to Navarre
- Election of the new Superior General of the Jesuits for 2008, names unveiled of frontrunners for the succession
- Jesuits general meeting on April 22 at the Vatican.
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