The pope’s not a Jesuit anymore

CEBU, Philippines - Pope Francis, the first Argentinian pontiff may be popularly referred to as the first Jesuit Pope, but local Jesuit priests said he already “left” the congregation when he became a bishop.

Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish assistant parish priest Fr. Jason Dy said part of their rule as a Jesuit priest is not to become a top official of the Church.

“If you are a Jesuit priest, you do not aspire for the position. Because if you do, you will be prevented from mission work,” Dy told reporters.

Apart from the three vows of ordained religious collectively known as the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience, the Jesuits’ fourth is loyalty and obedience to the Pope.

The moment an ordained Jesuit priest becomes a bishop, he practically leaves the congregation to takes on the role of a Church official, he added.

“We have a rule that the Jesuits should not accept any position. With the new Pope’s case, our general is bound to inform the Vatican about this,” Jesuit Pastoral Education Ministry chief Fr. Ernesto Javier said.

He explained that leading a church follows that the wealth of the diocese or archdiocese is automatically named to its leader representing the church.

“And it is against our law of poverty. And a lot of problems in the Church can be traced to wealth,” Javier added.

According to history, Jesuits were ejected from Spain and all its territory, including the Philippines for insisting on the separation between Church and State.

Jesuits are known to be principled and will voice out concerns over things they deem erroneous.

But Javier clarified they have this trait together with sticking to traditions while saying the Church “always needs reformation.”

“It is only in heaven after the second coming of Christ that we can have a perfect Church,” he said.   (FREEMAN)