By Ernest Nutsugah
Accra, Oct. 16, GNA – The Superior General of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), the Reverend Father Arturo Marcelino Sosa Abascal, has visited the St Ignatius of Loyola Parish in Accra as part of his official visit to Ghana.
During the visit, he held an interactive session with pupils and staff of St Ignatius Catholic School at Baatsona before joining parishioners for an evening Mass.
Fr. Sosa, the 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus, is the first Latin American to lead the order since his election on October 14, 2016.
His visit aimed to strengthen the Jesuits’ mission in Ghana and highlight their more than 50 years of service in the country.
A key highlight of his itinerary was a visit to the proposed Campion Jesuit College at Buduatta in the Central Region, envisioned as the first Jesuit college in Ghana.
In brief remarks at St Ignatius Catholic School, Fr. Sosa emphasised the role of transformative education in personal growth and national development.
He urged stakeholders to continue serving their communities and the nation, promoting justice and reconciliation, and helping to build a society where everyone could live with hope.
Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kofi Agyapong, Parish Priest of St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, commended Fr. Sosa for visiting the school and church to gain first-hand insight into their activities.
He said the church leadership and stakeholders would continue to collaborate to meet the spiritual and educational needs of the community and beyond.
“I have been a Jesuit for about 15 years, but this is the first time I am seeing the Superior General. The visit does not come often, so it means we are growing,” he said.
“Though we may not all be in the same place, the spirit is the same; our hearts and minds are united in promoting the faith and Ignatian spirituality.”
Fr. Sosa visited Ghana from October 12 to 15.
His itinerary also included visits to Liberia and Nigeria to meet communities, ministries and individuals involved in the life and mission of the Society of Jesus.
The Society of Jesus, founded in 1540 by St Ignatius of Loyola and his companions, is the largest religious order of priests and brothers in the Catholic Church.
The order is known for its contributions to education, spirituality, social justice, pastoral ministry and humanitarian service.
Fr. Sosa was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on November 12, 1948.
He entered the Society of Jesus in September 1966 and was ordained a priest in 1977.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Catholic University Andrés Bello in Caracas, a bachelor’s degree in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome, and a doctorate in political science from the Central University of Venezuela.
He served as Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in Venezuela from 1996 to 2004.
Fr. Sosa was elected by 212 Jesuit electors at the General Congregation, the order’s supreme governing body.
He succeeded Father Adolfo Nicolás, who resigned after serving as Superior General since 2008.
GNA
Edited by Agnes Boye-Doe
Reporter: Ernest Nutsugah
Writer’s email: [email protected]