Why was Father Kolvenbach important to the Jesuits?

Why was Father Kolvenbach important to the Jesuits?

In his nearly 25 years at the helm of the Jesuits, Father Kolvenbach was the quintessential peacemaker between the papacy and the society. Having entered in the context of John Paul’s suspicions concerning the order, Father Kolvenbach made his and his confreres’ loyalty evident from the very beginning.

When did Peter Kolvenbach leave the Society of Jesus?

On 2 February 2006, Kolvenbach informed the members of the Society of Jesus that he intended to step down in 2008, the year he would turn 80. As the Superior General is elected for life, Kolvenbach was only the second to resign the office. The 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus convened on 5 January 2008 in Rome.

Where was father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach born and raised?

Peter-Hans Kolvenbach was born on Nov. 30, 1928 in Druten, Holland, near Nijmegen. His father was Dutch by way of Germany and his mother was of Italian descent. As Father Kolvenbach recounted in an interview with Jean Lacouture for his book, Jesuits: A Multibiography, “I feel Italian one day and German the next.”

Who was the pope when Peter Hans Kolvenbach died?

Although he survived for another ten years, he wanted to step down as Superior General. Though Arrupe proposed Vincent O’Keefe of Fordham University as interim successor, Pope John Paul II intervened and named Paolo Dezza his delegate to lead the order for an interim period.

Who is the current leader of the Jesuits?

Many knew Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach as the leader of the Jesuits throughout the world. As for me, I only knew him as a simple Jesuit! Let me explain. Back in August 2008, I was spending a year with the Jesuits before I officially entered the Society of Jesus, 1 and Fr. Kolvenbach had recently resigned from being Superior General.