Fr General has approved the creation of a new Independent Region of the European Low Countries (ELC) which will take effect on July 31 this year. The new Region will comprise the goods, works and houses of the current provinces of The Netherlands and North Belgium (Flanders).

Fr Johan Verschueren, current provincial of these two provinces will be the major superior for a period of at least three years -  unless an arrangement is made concerning the restructuring of Provinces in the West European Assistancy in the meantime.  Fr Verschueren will complete five years as provincial in August 2017. 

When the two provinces merge to become the new Region there will be 60 Jesuits in The Netherlands living in two communities: Amsterdam and Nijmegen. 14 members of the Dutch province live abroad, of whom five in Flanders. 

In Flanders are residing at present 108 Jesuits in eight communities. Nine Flemish Jesuits are outside the province, of whom one in Amsterdam.