Last 9-10 July 2018, Loyola School of Theology participated in the first-time meeting of the seven English-speaking faculties of theology of the Society of Jesus, held during the Assembly of the International Association of Jesuit Universities at the Universidad de Deusto, Bilbao, Spain. The following theological centers were represented:
- Jnana-Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, India (Fr. Selva Rathinam SJ, President)
- Vidyajyoti College of Theology, New Delhi, India (Fr. John Pudota SJ, Dean)
- Loyola School of Theology, Quezon City, Philippines (Fr. Enrico Eusebio SJ, representing Fr. Jose Quilongquilong SJ, President)
- Hekima University College School of Theology, Nairobi, Kenya (Fr. John Okorie, Principal)
- Jesuit School of Theology, Santa Clara University, California, USA (Fr. Kevin O’Brien SJ, Dean)
- School of Theology and Ministry, Boston College, Massachusetts, USA (Fr. Thomas Stegman SJ, Dean)
- Regis College, Toronto School of Theology, Canada (Fr. Gordon Rixon SJ, representing Fr. Thomas Worcester SJ, President).
The group met with the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Arturo Sosa SJ, in the morning of July 10. During the one-hour conversation, he reminded the group concerning the mission of the Society’s theological faculties as part of the higher education mission: theological formation of young Jesuits, preparing for mission as Priests and Brothers, and theological reflection and research on contemporary concerns, to help both the Church hierarchy and the faithful understand the signs of the times.
Organized by Fr. Magadia and Fr. O’Brien, the group reflected on a collaborative intercontinental project called The Global Theology Initiative (GTI), which takes its inspiration from the words of Fr. General during his address at the theology faculty in New Delhi in 2017. He encouraged Jesuits “to form an effective network” and “to collaborate in the development of creative thinking that may propel the new age of Humanity towards social justice, dignity and peace”. Prepared by Fr. O’Brien, the GTI prospectus states that “The mission of the Global Theology Initiative is to deepen collaboration among the seven English-speaking theology centers sponsored by the Society of Jesus. This collaboration will enrich the scholarship and learning taking place at the theology centers and thus help us better serve the Church and God’s people”.
The GTI formalizes the cooperation and interaction that have long been in place among some Jesuit theology centers across the world. These institutions are networked through the Jesuit Curia in Rome, particularly through Fr. General’s Counselor for Formation. The Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University serves as the initial animator of the GTI.
In addition to expanding traditional faculty and student exchanges, GTI envisions developing multi-institution scholarly projects, offering courses that enroll students from multiple institutions, and weaving the unique strengths of each theology center with the others into an integrated resource. In the context of the global Church, such collaborations open doors to deeper inter-cultural conversations that help faculty and students put theology in service to the Church and the world by addressing social injustices and dire human needs.
Activities of the GTI may include:
- Global degrees: jointly offered degree programs on issues with a global impact (e.g. migration, environment, health disparity) with residency at different schools.
- Global courses: courses that take place on two or more campuses at the same time, linked by technology, or courses that take place on one campus, but conclude with an immersion in another campus and culture.
- Short courses for faculty and students that rotate among the schools to consider global issues, such as migration; environmental justice; dialog with Muslim communities; income inequality; Ignatian spirituality; women’s development; globalization; and human health.
- Academic conferences, with rotating host schools for deeper learning and sharing expertise on particular global crises;
- A shared academic electronic journal resulting from the conferences and collaborations;
- Workshops for academic administrators in curriculum development, planning, assessment, and other professional development opportunities;
- Faculty and student exchanges on a semester basis and immersive experiences in another culture;
- Coordinated missioning of Jesuit graduates of one theology center to teach at another center;
- Directing or advising theses and dissertations across schools, according to faculty expertise.
In consultation with their respective administrators and faculty members, participating theologates may enter into bilateral agreements with other theologates either on a regional or intercontinental level.
Some initial steps the group agreed to take were the following: to map out school calendars; collect course schedules from last couple of years to see possibilities for course collaboration or faculty who might be available; work with potential funder for pilot projects; share information with the rest of the group concerning collaborative activities between theologates; and plan the first GTI international conference by the summer of 2019, including discerning topic, choosing location, determining process for faculty (and perhaps student) selection and participation. An initial proposal is to hold the conference in New Delhi, India.
Participants of the Deusto Assembly of the International Association of Jesuit Universities Gathered in Loyola, Spain
