This is an interview done by the Jesuit Social and Pastoral Bulletin to
Fr. General Adolfo Nicolas, SJ on the occasion of his visit to Japan. Fr.
Nicolas, with the assistance of Fr. Fernando Franco, SJ, the General Secretary
for Social Apostolate, sent us a written answer to our questions. We added
further comments of Fr. General (in the box ) upon meeting with him in Tokyo on December 25th, 2008. [Interviewer:
Ando Isamu, SJ.] |
 Can we think of some new emphasis or orientations for the Jesuit social
apostolate after the last General Congregation 35?
 In its Decree on Mission, GC 35 re-affirms the commitment of the Society
of Jesus to proclaiming and living a faith that is engaged in the justice
of the Kingdom and in dialogue with other cultures and religions. In this
sense, the social apostolate continues to be rooted in this vision of our
Jesuit charisma.
There are, however, some elements that can help the social and other apostolates
to respond better to the challenges facing us today. The mission of the
Society is described as our commitment to join Jesus Christ in reconciling
the entire universe to the Father. Our specific action with and for the
poor needs to be understood as an effort to build bridges among those who
have and those who have not. This action needs also to be integrated with
the call to reconcile human beings with God and creation. There is a conscious
determination to see the social apostolate, our action for justice as a
complex act which touches not only our relationships with one another but
also the way we relate to God and to the entire creation. Our promotion
of justice is embedded in our effort to help people ("souls")
engage in discovering their true selves and their care for our common earth.
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In the social apostolate, as well as in other ministries, there is a new
accent on 'networking,' rather than having a strong basis, particularly
because the problems have all become universal, like poverty, unemployment,
violence, and so forth. It is only through 'networking' that we can respond
to them and, thus, they also provide opportunities for multi-based answers.
I would say, personally, that all our concerns are modified by the needs
surrounding us. We don't have concerns of our own, but the real concerns
are those of the world: poverty, unemployment, violence, education, etc.
I was very impressed by a recent article of "Cristianisme i Justicia"
that talks about 4 contracts that offer a vision for our involvement:
1- Social Contract: All nations and everybody should work against poverty,
unemployment, etc.
2- Natural Contract: We have spoiled nature with our consumerist habits
and we must live more simply
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3- Cultural Contract: Education for everyone, nobody is excluded. A very
important concern for us, for our priority for extraordinary good schools
or for an education that can help other schools or for the country to provide
education to all
4- Ethical Contract: To treat people as people and not as things. An ethical
recovery of values and humanity, the meaning of life.
These will be the context on which we reconsider all the time our involvements,
our concerns in the social apostolate.
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Which are the main and more relevant tasks to the social apostolate within
the overall Jesuit apostolic mission?
On the basis of this general vision the social apostolate responds to a
great variety of contexts and situations with concrete interventions. Looking
at this great variety of challenges and responses we may emphasize three
types of tasks
The task of accompanying the poor. Jesuits continue to accompany the poor and excluded. This is a task demanding
great doses of humility, and a vocation to listen patiently. We may remember
the Jesuits accompanying indigenous and tribal communities in Latin America
and Asia. I would like to remember also the commitment of the social apostolate
to the cause of the Dalit community in India; those who work in poor and
degraded urban areas with young dropouts and members of gangs; those who
accompany women and children suffering from HIV/AIDS. In some cases, accompaniment
is complemented with the provision of basic social services like education
and health.
The task of analyzing and reflecting on the ultimate causes of injustice. For us Jesuits accompanying is not enough. We are
called to exercise a "learned ministry" and reflect on the ultimate
causes of poverty and exclusion. There are many social centres engaged
in social research; collaboration between the social apostolate and Jesuit
Universities to study and analyse social issues is rapidly increasing.
Without being exhaustive I can mention existing collaboration in the area
of migration, climate warming and its effects on the poor, forced displacement
by so called development, impact of small credit cooperatives on rural
women, and on issues of food security. We need, I think, to move ahead
on this road and find concrete ways of establishing forms of inter-ministry
collaboration. I know the example of a province where a memorandum of understanding
has been signed between a recently constituted network of social centres
and the Jesuit University.
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I would like also to point out to a third and important task: influencing
public policy and the centres of power where decisions affecting the poor
are taken. In more precise terms this has been called advocacy. Our commitment
to establish right relationships implies engaging those having political
power at all levels on issues and policies that affect the poor. It is
not acting on behalf of the poor but enabling the voices of the excluded
to be heard with respect. This again is not a new task. There are many
Jesuits and collaborators working in the defence of human rights. At this
moment social centres in Africa, Europe and the United States are monitoring
a number of extractive foreign companies in central Africa. Jesuits have
supported an important group that helps indigenous communities in the Amazonia
to fight for their land. There is also a serious effort to advocate for
housing for the poor in the United States. Very recently Jesuits and collaborators
have held an International Workshop on Advocacy and the results are promising.
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These days "advocacy" is coming to the front. It is a search
for effectiveness so that it brings up results, but we cannot remain fixed
on to this effectiveness that might take all our energies.
The fact is that some problems can never be solved. Now, how to be present
to the people who are suffering from real problems, without letting our
hope be lost even if the results are not good?
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How do social centres function (or maybe should function) within super-provincial
networks?
In a "globalised" world, and in moments of an acute financial,
economic and social crisis, social centres need to be rooted in the local,
but have to act globally. A great effort is going on to articulate social
centres in Assistancy/Conference networks and to operate in connection
with other platforms. We have realized that networking as an apostolic
instrument requires clear objectives, and dedication of personnel and finances.
Networking is not a club of friends exchanging pleasantries. Networking
cannot be one more activity that we add to the already overburdened agenda
of those working in our social centres. Networking is also a way to enhance
the principle of subsidiarity: in a circle of connected hubs (social centres)
established in different countries, each hub can lead the others in different
themes or campaigns. This method respects autonomy and strengthens solidarity
and universality.
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I personally think that Social Centers are the basis for systematic reflection,
analysis and coordination. They stress social awareness, advocacy and discernment
regarding priority issues. On the other hand, individuals, some usually
very busy, find it very hard to do the same, but the centers invite to
a coordinated response. One of the problems of people who are very busy
with other things is 'dispersion,' lack of focus and concentration.
Today with such good communications systems the desire to solve too many
problems makes us very ineffective. We must keep an eye on the energy and
work already existing so that it does not get destroyed and so that we
keep our priorities clear.
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Jesuits somehow know about JRS; but what has been done at Jesuit level,
Research and Action included, with regard to (1) Poverty alleviation, (2)
Migration, (3) Global economic crisis and (4) mass unemployment?
We suffer both from an indigestion of useless information and from lack
of significant data about what we are doing. We need also to acknowledge
that we are not called to solve these enormous global issues facing humanity.
We need realism and humility to know our limitations and to be able to
concentrate in what we can do and do it with others.
Let me, however, note in passing the joint programme between social centres
and Jesuit Universities in Latin America to tackle the complex issue of
poverty. We may remember the dedicated work of many social centres in Europe
to promote awareness on the Millennium Goals. The two Jesuit Conferences
of Latin America and the United States have signed a memorandum to tackle
the issue of migration. The Jesuit network of migration in Latin America
is working in close collaboration with the Jesuit network of Southern Europe.
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We need to join our voices and our efforts to many others who are today
analysing the consequences of the global crisis we are facing. We have
not fully understood the extent of its impact on the poor. I am convinced
that many of our social centres and universities are already in dialogue
to find out the best way of responding to this crisis.
Let me end with a reflection that may help us avoid past mistakes. Following
a well known Ignatian principle we must do our best as if the result depended
entirely on our effort, knowing that everything depends on God. We need
to confront our desire to achieve success, as quickly as possible. The
principle of Ignatian indifference and the Asian principle of acting in
a manner that is also detached from the fruits of our action are very important.
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Different continents are responding to needs in different and various ways.
In Brazil, for instance, linking ecology and poverty. In the issues of
migration, there are sending countries, like the Philippines or African
countries and the accepting countries, Japan, Europe, the United States,
etc. Now, our question is how to interrelate all?
All these concerns are present in the Society of Jesus at various levels.
The involvement of JRS is clear and a lot of things are happening these
days. There is the issue of networking and reflection, as well.
These global problems invite us to work differently. They are the context
where humanity is struggling, suffering and looking for solutions. We need
discernment to reflect on what can we do with our limited resources. Many
initiatives are taking place and other people are already deeply involved.
How can we cooperate with other networks? Our tendency is to do our 'Jesuit
thing' but this is not viable any more. Here we find many ways to provide
service to others..
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