The Enlarged Council, held from 8–12 June at the General Curia in Rome, brought together the Secretaries of the Apostolic Sectors, General Counsellors, General Treasurer, Presidents of Conferences, including the president of JCEP - Dalibor Renić - and other officials at the Curia to examine a central question: How to increase and deepen collaboration across apostolic sectors and among all those involved in the governance of the Society. 

The three extended councils held each year are the primary forums in which the Presidents of the Conference of Provincials participate in strategic thinking and contribute to the decision-making of the global Society of Jesus.

Throughout the week, the Council approached sectors as interdependent parts of a single apostolic body, focusing on identifying collaboration opportunities and establishing concrete mechanisms needed to produce an integrated response to the challenges of our time.

Education

The opening sessions focused on Jesuit education at all levels. Fr Jimmy Bartolo presented developments in Jesuit pre-secondary and secondary schools, affirming them as privileged points of contact with young people and their families, while proposing new horizons for networking and collaboration among institutions. Fr Joseph Christie, addressing Jesuit Higher Education, acknowledged both achievements and persistent challenges, emphasizing the importance of maintaining Jesuit identity while adapting to contemporary academic and social demands.

Fr Roberto Jaramillo, Secretary for Social Justice and Ecology, outlined ongoing initiatives in both areas, pointing to notable progress and recognizing remaining obstacles. He explored how ecology and social justice are increasingly interconnected and how these concerns can be integrated into educational and pastoral ministries. Fr James Hanvey, the Secretary for the Service of Faith, reflected on seven years of advancement in his sector, identifying where efforts have flourished and where resistance persists.

Towards better collaboration

Subsequent meeting days of the Council centred on deepening collaboration amongst Secretaries, Presidents, General Counsellors and other officials. The participants reflected on what has worked well, what has not and where greater coordination could produce more fruit. Discussions also touched on formation initiatives, the Promotion of a Consistent Culture of Protection (PCCP), and the expansion of the MAGIS young adult network.

The Enlarged Council ended the week with a conviction that the challenges of the present time demand that all act in concert, not in silos. The Society’s apostolic impact will increasingly depend in its ability to collaborate across structures, share resources and constantly discern the will of God.