Pedro

Arrupe SJ
Born in Bilbao in the Basque Country of
Spain, Fr. Arrupe interrupted medical studies
at the University of Madrid to join the Jesuits
in 1927. Because of the order of expulsion by
the Republican government of Spain at the
time, all Jesuits were sent into exile.
Accordingly he pursued his philosophical and
theological studies in Belgium and the
Netherlands. Ordained a priest in 1936 and
sent off for doctoral studies in medical ethics
in the United States, he was unexpectedly sent
as a missionary to Japan in 1939, where he
would spend his next 27 years.

Japan - Hiroshima
He was appointed Jesuit superior and the
master of novices in Japan in 1942. He was
living in suburban Hiroshima when the atomic secularism and a scientific and due to ill health in 1983 and was the
bomb fell in August of 1945. As a trained materialistic atheism. The Church in Asia first (and only) Jesuit superior general to
doctor he headed the first rescue party to in was conscious of its responsibilities to resign instead of remaining in office
Hiroshima after the atomic bomb. He inter-religious dialogue and the tensions until his death.
described that event as "a permanent produced by the plurality of religions in The 33rd General Congregation was
experience outside of history, engraved on my their societies. The Church in South called to deal with the resignation of
memory." He utilized his medical skills in the America was predominantly faced with the Arrupe and the election of a successor.
service of the wounded and the dying, poverty that many considered to be caused The Congregation was called by Father
transforming the novitiate into a make-shift by the perceived injustice of tiny minorities Paolo Dezza, the Pontifical Delegate,
hospital for over 200 greviously scarred of the population owning and controlling especially appointed by the Pope to
human remnants. He eventually was vast amounts of the countries wealth and assure that the Society be kept on
appointed the first Jesuit provincial for Japan resources. Controversially the theologians course. There was a wave of resentment
(1958-65). in South America became more and more from some Jesuits at what was
politically involved, often adopting Marxist seemingly Papal interference in Jesuit
Father General sociological tools to analyse this inequality. affairs. Arrupe's resignation was
At the 31st General Congregation (GC 31) of The theology that grew out of this was accepted on September 3, 1983 during
the Society of Jesus in 1965 he was elected to called Liberation Theology. Many Jesuits in the Congregation and it proceeded to
be the order's twenty-eighth Father General. South and Central America were at the elect Father Peter Hans Kolvenbach as
He served in that position from 1965 to 1983. forefront of this struggle for justice, and General.
Fr. Vinnie O'Keefe was a great friend of were aware of the role the church had had During the opening Session of the
Arrupe's, and one of his top advisors. Fr. in the past of appearing to bless and Congregation Fr Arrupe was wheeled
O'Keefe says Arrupe was "a second Ignatius, a legitimize this inequality. into the hall, and a powerful prayer
refounder of the Society in the light of Vatican which he had been written was read out.
II." The defining moment of Fr. Arrupe's Arrupe had special relationship with these
leadership of the Jesuits was probably the men as well. They were involved in Latin More than ever I find myself in the
32nd General Congregation (GC 32), which he American proposals that eventually hands of God. This is what I have
called in 1975. produced his beloved decree four from GC wanted all my life from my youth. But
Arrupe's dream was crystalized in the 32. On June 20, 1977 the White Warriors now there is a difference; the initiative is
document (decree 4), Our Mission Today: the Union death squad threatened to kill each entirely with God. It is indeed a
Service of Faith and the Promotion of Justice. of the 47 Jesuits in El Salvador unless they profound spiritual experience to know
Of GC32. This decree basically defined all the abandoned their work with the poor, and and feel myself so totally in God's hands.
Jesuits work as having an essential focus on left the country within a month. After During his ten long and silent years in
the promotion of Justice as well as the consulting with his men, Fr. Arrupe replied, the infirmary, praying for the Society,
Catholic Faith. The mix of religion and politics "They may end up as martyrs, but my Arrupe received many and frequent well
has always been controversial, so for the priests are not going to leave (El Salvador), wishers among whom the Pope was the
Jesuits to tie their work so explicitly to the because they are with the people." Six most distinguished.
promotion of Justice was a very bold Jesuits were subsequently murdered on Arrupe died at the Curia on February 5,
statement. This decree was so hotly debated Nov. 16, 1989 at the Jesuit University of 1991 in his 84th year. His Generalate
that it was not voted on, until the very last day Central America as well as other Jesuits actually lasted for 18 years from his
of the congregation, March 7, 1975. when it such as Rutilio Grande, and later also the election until his resignation in 1983,
was accepted by an overwhelming majority of Archbishop Oscar Romero. though he lived another eight years of
delegates. This focus on justice was to cause complete inactivity paralyzed and with
great conflict within the order, the church andLater Life, Illness and Stroke little communication.
also have remarkable consequences on the On August 7, 1981 after a long and tiring Pedro Arrupe's funeral was held in the
outside world. To understand this we must trip throughout the Far East Fr Arrupe Gesù and was attended by crowds inside
look at the context of the Reforms of Vatican II
suffered a stroke just after his airplane had and in the piazza outside the church.
and how they were applied to South and landed at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. He was Also in attendance were 10 cardinals, 20
Central America paralyzed on his right side and was able to bishops, the Prime Minister of Italy and
speak only a few words, but this ability other religious and civil dignitaries. His
Vatican II gradually deteriorated until he was body was taken and interred in the
After the great advances of Vatican II each completely mute. From that time on he Jesuit Mausoleum at Campo Verano
bishops conference had to return back to their lived in the infirmary at the Curia. His only beside his predecessors.
own churches and implement the decrees in form of communication with the Jesuit
their own particular context. The Church in Brother, his constant companion, was with
Europe was threatened by a growing his eyes or hand pressure. Arrupe resigned