Ethan Walker
Jesuit is a term used for the members of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order. Jesuits are known for their missionary work and martyrdom, as well as their flexible approach to authority and doctrine, which has caused them to be viewed with suspicion by more dogmatic Catholics. In 2002, Father Paul Shaughnessy, SJ, published an article titled Are the Jesuits Catholic? in which he questioned the allegiance of the Jesuits and their obedience to the Magisterium. Shaughnessy, a Marine Corps and Navy chaplain, has also written about the ambiguous relationship modern Jesuits have with their vow of celibacy and the priority given to the recruitment of gays within the American Jesuits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Jesuits' allegiance | Pope and Christ |
| Jesuits' commitment | Social justice and "the preferential option for the poor" |
| Jesuits' stance on obedience to the Magisterium | Lack of obedience, especially on college campuses |
| Jesuits' relationship with the Catholic Church | Interpreting orthodox Catholicism to mean whatever they want |
| Jesuits' view on sexual morality | Ambiguity regarding vow of celibacy, with reports of gay priests and support for homosexuality |
| Jesuits' approach to authority and doctrine | Flexible, accommodating, and compromising |
| Jesuits' political involvement | Alliance with Marxist Sandinistas in Nicaragua and Latin America |
| Jesuits' numbers | Increase in novices attributed to "Pope Francis Effect" |
| Jesuits' geographic distribution | Decline in Europe and the US, but growth in South Asia, Africa, and East Asia |
| Jesuits' education ministries | Nurturing "men and women for others," drawing on Ignatian spirituality |
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What You'll Learn
Jesuits' allegiance crisis
Jesuits Allegiance Crisis
In 2002, Father Paul Shaughnessy, SJ, published an article titled "Are the Jesuits Catholic?" in The Weekly Standard. Shaughnessy, a Marine Corps and Navy chaplain, argued that the Jesuits' "real crisis" was "not one of size but one of allegiance." This alleged crisis of allegiance was attributed to a perceived lack of obedience to the Magisterium, particularly on Jesuit-led college and university campuses. Shaughnessy's concerns were echoed by George Neumayr in The American Spectator.
The Jesuits, officially known as the Society of Jesus, were founded by Ignatius of Loyola, a soldier-turned-mystic, with the mission to serve Christ and the pope. While the Jesuits have historically been committed to social justice and "the preferential option for the poor", some observers have expressed concerns about their fidelity and obedience to the Magisterium. This perceived lack of obedience has been particularly notable in academic institutions led by the Jesuits.
The Jesuits' flexible approach to authority and doctrine has also extended to sexual morality. There have been reports of ambiguity among modern Jesuits regarding their vow of celibacy, with some arguing that it only entails not marrying rather than remaining sexually inactive. Additionally, it has been noted that a significant proportion of Jesuits under the age of fifty are gay or bisexual. In 1999, the American Jesuits prioritized the recruitment of gay men, and a majority of their trainers are reportedly homosexual as well.
The Jesuits' accommodating spirit and political intrigues have historically caused them to be viewed with suspicion by more dogmatic Catholics. This led to their suppression in 1773 by Pope Clement XIV. Despite these controversies, the Jesuits have seen an increase in novices in certain regions, attributed by some to the "Pope Francis Effect." While there has been a decline in Jesuit priests in Europe and the United States, there has been a concurrent increase in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
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Jesuits' support for gay sex
Jesuits are members of the Society of Jesus, a Catholic religious order. In 2002, Father Paul Shaughnessy, SJ, published an article titled "Are the Jesuits Catholic?" in The Weekly Standard. Shaughnessy, speaking of his own Jesuit order, questioned their allegiance, echoing concerns about a perceived lack of obedience to the Magisterium, especially on Jesuit-led college campuses. Shaughnessy also attributed the Jesuits' support for gay sex to their obedience to a future pope.
While the Catholic Church's doctrine condemns sexual relations between gay partners as "intrinsically disordered", and repudiates same-sex marriage and gender transition, there is a growing movement within the Church, and particularly among the Jesuits, to encourage greater inclusion and acceptance of LGBTQ+ Catholics. The Jesuits, one of Catholicism's most progressive religious orders, have been strengthening their outreach initiatives to LGBTQ+ Catholics. The initiative, called "Outreach", was founded by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit and prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Catholic Church. Pope Francis, a Jesuit himself, has also been encouraging, allowing himself to be interviewed by Outreach and sending personal greetings and letters of support.
Despite this, there is still resistance and division within the global Catholic Church regarding LGBTQ+ issues. Many conservative bishops have stated that they will not implement the Pope's more welcoming approach, and some LGBTQ+ Catholics continue to feel alienated and ostracized by the institutional Church. For example, a Jesuit parish in Kansas City fired a woman because she was a married lesbian, and two lesbians were fired from a high school in St. Louis. Additionally, LGBTQ+ Roman Catholics are being fired from employment within the Church simply because of their sexuality.
Overall, while there is a growing movement within the Jesuits to support and include LGBTQ+ Catholics, there is still significant resistance and division within the broader Catholic Church.
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Jesuits' flexible approach to doctrine
Jesuits are members of the Society of Jesus, a Roman Catholic religious order founded by Ignatius of Loyola. Jesuits are known for their commitment to social justice and "the preferential option for the poor". They have a flexible approach to authority and doctrine, which has sometimes been a source of concern for more traditional Catholics. This flexible approach can be traced back to the early days of the Jesuits, when they were known for making whatever compromises were necessary to advance the faith and defend the unity of the Church.
This flexible approach to doctrine has continued into the modern era, with Jesuits re-interpreting the words of orthodox Catholicism to mean whatever they want. This has led to accusations that Jesuits are not truly loyal to the Church, and that they are battling from within. In his article "Are the Jesuits Catholic?", Father Paul Shaughnessy, SJ, expressed concerns about the allegiance of the Jesuits, specifically their obedience to the Magisterium. Shaughnessy also highlighted the Jesuits' support for contraception, gay sex, and divorce, which he saw as proceeding from humble obedience to the future papacy.
The Jesuits' flexible approach to doctrine can also be seen in their views on sexual morality. For example, there is ambiguity among modern Jesuits regarding their vow of celibacy, with some arguing that it simply means a man does not get married, not that he remains sexually inactive. This ambiguity has led to a significant presence of gay men within the Jesuits, with roughly half of the Society under the age of fifty being gay or bisexual. In 1999, the American Jesuits decided to prioritize the recruitment of gay men, and today, the majority of American formatores, Jesuits in charge of training, are homosexual.
The Jesuits' flexible approach to doctrine has been a source of both praise and criticism. Some see it as a sign of openness and adaptability, while others view it as a betrayal of Catholic teachings. Despite the concerns about their allegiance, the Jesuits remain committed to their mission of serving Christ and the pope, and they continue to play an important role in the Catholic Church.
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Jesuits' political intrigues
Jesuits, or members of the Society of Jesus, have had a long and often controversial history of involvement in politics and social justice issues. While they are known for their commitment to serving Christ and the Pope, their allegiance and political intrigues have sometimes come into question.
One notable example of Jesuit political involvement is their role in the overthrow of the Somoza regime in Nicaragua. In the 1970s, the Jesuits allied with the Marxist Sandinistas to remove the corrupt Somoza family from power. This alliance was significant due to the high percentage of Nicaraguans who were Catholic, and the Sandinistas' need for religious legitimacy. Following the successful revolution, five Jesuit priests were appointed to cabinet positions. However, by 1982, Pope John Paul II rebuked the Jesuits for their socio-political role in Nicaragua and Latin America, expressing concern over their deviation from traditional religious expectations.
In the 18th century, during the Enlightenment, the Jesuits faced suspicion and anti-Jesuit conspiracy theories emerged. They were accused of upholding Ultramontanism, infiltrating political realms, and influencing non-Catholic churches. Monarchs in Europe viewed the Jesuits as too closely allied with the papacy and sought to curb their power by expelling them from their territories, often confiscating their wealth and possessions in the process. This trend, known as the Bourbon Reforms, aimed to increase centralization and secularization of political power.
The Jesuits also played a role in the Chinese Rites controversy, where their accommodation of Chinese culture and rituals clashed with Pope Clement XI's ruling in 1704, which deemed these practices as impermissible idolatry and superstition. Additionally, in the 17th century and 18th century, the Jesuits were involved in the French colonization of North America and the foundation of the French colony in Québec. They also had a politically conservative role in the Catholic Counter Reformation in the United States.
More recently, there have been concerns about the culture and allegiance of Jesuit priests and novices, particularly regarding obedience to the Magisterium. Jesuit-led colleges and universities have been criticized for their stance on social justice issues and their support for contraception, gay sex, and divorce. These controversies have sparked debates about the Jesuits' relationship with the Catholic Church and their interpretation of Catholic doctrine.
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Jesuits' relationship with four recent Popes
The Jesuits, also known as the Society of Jesus, have had a complex relationship with the papacy over the years. The Jesuits are an all-male Catholic religious order, founded in the 1530s by Ignatius of Loyola. Jesuits take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, living in community and sharing everything.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis was the first Jesuit pope, elected in 2013. Before his election, he had been estranged from the Jesuit order for decades, but he immediately reconciled with his former religious order after becoming pope. He embraced his Jesuit identity and publicly celebrated it, praying near the tomb of Father Pedro Arrupe, a former superior general of the Society of Jesus. Pope Francis's Jesuit identity influenced his style of governance and how he understood the Lord's will. He was also the first pope to include the seal of the Society of Jesus in his papal seal.
Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI, who preceded Pope Francis, was elected in 2005. He was not a Jesuit and, in fact, was known to have ordered the Jesuits' America magazine to fire its editor, Reese, who was his longtime foe. Pope Benedict XVI's election came as a shock to some Jesuits, who viewed it as a continuation of the deep suspicion with which their order had been regarded by Rome.
Pope John Paul II
In 1981, Pope John Paul II intervened in the governance of the Jesuit order due to its tolerance of theological dissent, chaotic formation practices, and declining membership. He suspended the ordinary governance of the society and deputized a papal delegate to take charge until a new superior general could be elected.
Pope Clement XIV
In the 18th century, Pope Clement XIV was responsible for the church-wide suppression of the Jesuit order in 1773. This was one of the most important tense moments in the relationship between the Jesuits and the popes. The Jesuits were restored at the start of the 19th century, but their relationship with the papacy remained politically controversial for decades.
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Frequently asked questions
Father Paul Shaughnessy, SJ, published an article in The Weekly Standard in 2002 titled "Are the Jesuits Catholic?" where he expressed concerns about the Jesuits' allegiance, their support for contraception, gay sex, and divorce, and their obedience to the Magisterium.
The Jesuits, or the Society of Jesus, were founded by Ignatius of Loyola, a soldier-turned-mystic, with the mission to serve Christ and the pope. They have a long-time commitment to social justice and "the preferential option for the poor." However, their flexible approach to authority and doctrine, including sexual morality, has caused them to be viewed with suspicion by more dogmatic Catholics, leading to their suppression in 1773 by Pope Clement XIV.
Despite demographic declines in the United States and Europe, there has been an increase in Jesuit priests in other regions, such as South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The Jesuits continue to face challenges, including concerns about their allegiance and obedience to the Catholic Church, as well as issues related to sexual morality and gay rights.
