(ZENIT News / Rome, 05.22.2024).- On May 19, 2024, Pentecost Sunday, a significant journey concluded—one that began with a handwritten letter from Pope Francis in December 2019. The Pope had tasked the Society of Jesus with reorganizing three prestigious academic institutions in Rome under their care: the Pontifical Gregorian University (PUG), the Pontifical Biblical Institute (PIB), and the Pontifical Oriental Institute (PIO). The objective was clearly defined: to enable PIB and PIO to fulfill their specific missions more effectively.
From now on, these two institutes will be closely integrated with the Pontifical Gregorian University, forming a single legal entity and becoming part of a unified academic unit. This merger necessitated substantial changes to the statutes and operational structure of the Gregorian University. These new statutes, developed through a lengthy process, were presented to and approved by the Dicastery for Culture and Education of the Holy See.
The unified university structure will maintain and promote the distinct academic missions of each of the three pontifical institutions. The unique identities of each will be preserved and enhanced by the new entity. The tangible impacts of these structural changes will be felt across various sectors of the university starting from the next academic year, 2024-2025.
In a letter to the Major Superiors dated May 17, 2024, the Jesuit Superior General expressed gratitude for the announcement of the completion of the unification process. He stated, “This unification process has now entered a new phase: implementation. Sustained efforts will be needed in the coming years to achieve what the Holy Father has asked of us: an even better execution of the three papal missions.”
He further remarked, “We live in a very challenging historical context. Here in Rome, there is undoubtedly a growing internationalization of our institutions and communities. Meanwhile, both the Church and the Society of Jesus face enormous changes, as I mentioned in De Statu Societatis Iesu last year. In this context, it would be irresponsible to maintain a comfortable status quo regarding our Roman works. Restructuring our institutions, enhancing academic quality, addressing contemporary didactic and pedagogical challenges, and carefully integrating contemporary theological and ecclesiological developments into our teaching are all essential. These tasks are on our agenda in Rome and will continue to be so in the coming years.”
After outlining the needs regarding faculty and students for the restructured Roman University, Father Sosa concluded his message with a spirit of gratitude and prayer. “On the feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit upon the early Church, enabling all its diverse cultures and languages to be understood and appreciated, and empowering Christians to boldly proclaim the Gospel to the world. On this feast, I pray that the Lord may bless and inspire us in the international and universal missions entrusted to us by the Holy Father and in all the missions to which the Lord sends us around the globe.”
With information from the Society of Jesus.
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