Could it be that Francisco stopped being a Jesuit?

By: Beatrice E. Rangel - 28/08/2023

On August 17, the Principal Superior of the Jesuits, Father Arturo Sosa Abascal, issued a severe pronouncement against the excesses perpetrated by the Nicaraguan regime led by Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo against the Central American University (UCA) and the Jesuit order. In the communication, the falsity of the accusations stands out; the violation of the judicial action against the Jesuit province of Central America and the duty of all the members of the Society of Jesus to unite in communion with the Jesuits of Nicaragua so that among all of them we can achieve redemption through the paths of truth.

And one would think that after such a moving letter the Roman Pontiff would join the plea of the Jesuit General to comfort the Jesuits attacked in Nicaragua and mobilize the international community against the Managua regime.

But none of that has happened, which leads us to wonder if Pope Francis has not decided to stop being a Jesuit. Because if he were, he would have to follow the Ignatian practice that has made the Jesuit order famous while galvanizing the support of many peoples for the Church of Christ. Because if one reads the history of the founder of the order: San Ignacio de Loyola, it is very clear that if he bequeathed anything to his followers, they are three virtues that, in my opinion, contain the redemption of the 21st century. The first virtue is to fight to share God's footsteps in our life. And those steps the first thing they advise is to fight for the weak; the persecuted and the slandered. The second virtue bequeathed by Saint Ignatius is to see the community of which he is a part as part of our organism and therefore fight for its integrity and holiness. And finally Saint Ignatius tells us that leaders have the duty to share in the footsteps of God in the permanent encounter with our brothers and in particular with those who work to spread the truth and goodness.

Well, it happens that Pope Francis has chosen distance and silence in the face of one of the worst outrages that has been perpetrated against a congregation dedicated to doing good and of which he is a part.

And while it is true that in its character of religious authority it must transcend politics, it is no less true that an attack of this nature against an institution that provides educational services in a country where they are scarce at least deserves a statement of solidarity from the head of the catholic church Because as indicated by Saint Ignatius of Loyola "If our church does not distinguish itself by caring for the poor, the oppressed, the hungry, we are guilty of heresy".

And while this stentorous silence reigns in the Vatican about the violation of the Society of Jesus in Nicaragua, Pope Francis has decided to join the authoritarian creed of Mr. Vladimir Putin, telling the Russian youth that he was visiting the Vatican “Do not forget your heritage. You are heirs of the great Russia: the great Russia of the saints, of the kings, the great Russia of Peter the Great, of Catherine II, of the great Russian empire, cultured, so much culture, so much humanity. You are the heirs of the great mother Russia. Go ahead". In other words, go fulfill the imperial destiny that begins by invading the Ukraine!! Definitely nothing is further from Ignatian thought than this!!

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