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This was your first visit to Africa as General of the Society, and, if I am correct, your very first visit to Africa. What are your first impressions?
An overwhelming impression of very vital, very intelligent, very energetic, very kind, very joyful people... that do not receive the care and attention that they deserve. And that they are people who can still dream and hope for a better future. It has been a refreshing visit in many human and religious senses. I came back with much hope.
In the fifteen months since your election you have travelled to three continents. How is it possible to address the problems the Society of Jesus faces in these parts of the world?
In fact one may say that I have visited Four Continents, but only partially and, therefore, it would be too risky to try to generalize from what I have seen or heard. What is obvious to me is that, as St. Ignatius liked to repeat, the real discernment has to take place in each Continent; and it is imperative for us in Rome to keep in mind the enormous wealth and complexity of each different situation. A very deep dialogue with the men in the spot has to take place for a fair and meaningful governance of the Society.
Fr. Giuseppe Bellucci, S.J.
Source: Electronic News Service SJ, Vol.
XIII, N. 9, 11 May 2009
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