Fr Adolfo Nicolás, S. J. Elected the New General of Jesuits.
For the second time, a former Provincial (regional head) of the Jesuits of
Japan has been elected the General of the nearly 20,000 Jesuits worldwide.
The Jesuit General, known also by the ambiguous title of 'the Black Pope',
is the supreme head of all the Jesuits. Fr. Adolfo Nicolas was the
Provincial Superior of Japan (1993-1999), following the footsteps of the
colossal Pedro Arrupe, who too served as the Provincial of Japan and later
became the General of the Jesuits. Given his age, a little over 70, some
felt he may not be elected, but the delegates in Rome seemed to have thought
otherwise. After stepping down as Provincial, Fr. Nicolas held various
offices until he became, in 2004, the President of the Jesuit Conference of
East Asia and Oceania (JCEAO), with headquarters in Quezon City,
Philippines. It was as the President of JCEAO that he attended the General
Congregation.
Fr. Nicolas was born in Palencia, Spain, on April 29, 1936, and entered the
Society of Jesus in Aranjuez at the tender age of 17, in 1953. Like most
Jesuit missionaries who came to Japan, he finished his noviciate (first
stage of training as a Jesuit) and philosophate in Spain, and then arrived
in Japan to dedicate himself to the Japanese mission. After Japanese studies
and some teaching, he began theological studies at Sophia University in
1964. Ordained priest on March 17, 1967, he took his final vows--the vows
that Jesuits take to be completely incorporated into the Society of
Jesus--on October 5, 1976. He is a theologian by profession, having done his
advanced theological studies at the Gregorian University Rome (1968-1971),
and his major topics of research have been related to dogmatic and
systematic theology.
After his return from Rome, he became a professor of theology in the Faculty
of Theology at Sophia University (1971), but within a few years was called
upon to lead the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in Quezon City,
Philippines. The EAPI describes its mission as "striving to witness to a new
way of being Church" in Asia. His term of office at EAPI (1978-1984) was a
resounding success as he brought in bright professors and students from
different parts of Asia to build a theological and spiritual network among
the Asian Christians. Having achieved a reputation for leadership, Fr.
Nicolas has since held several significant positions. He became the Rector
of the Jesuit Theologate in Kamishakujii, a suburb of Tokyo, in 1991; the
Jesuit Provincial of Japan in 1993; and the President of JCEAO in 2004.
Fr. Nicolas is an active theologian renowned for his insightful articles,
books, sermons, retreats, and lectures, especially among the Asian
Christians and the Spaniards. Two of his outstanding books in Japanese are:
[kibou no chihei--gendaini okeru shuudouseikatsu no igi] 'The Horizon of
Hope: Meaning of Religious Life in Contemporary Times' (Tokyo: Joshi
Paulokai [Paulist Sisters' Press], 1976) and [Yurushi no Hiseki] 'The
Sacrament of Penance' (Tokyo: Joshi Paulokai [Paulist Sisters' Press],
1977). Among his numerous articles is this one addressing the burning issue
of Christianity in Asia: "Which Asia? Which Christianity? Which Crisis?"
(Concilium (2005/3), 64-70).
Fr. Nicolas is a cheerful and optimistic person, not to mention well-versed
in theology and spirituality. He first came to Japan in 1961 and has spent
most of his time since then in Japan and the Philippines. He is fluent in
Spanish, English, Japanese, and several other European languages. As a
professor of theology, he is quite familiar with the current religious
crises confronting the Church and the Society, and as a former Provincial of
Jesuits in Japan, he has the experience of facing major challenges. Fr.
Nicolas has shown special interest in helping the poor, immigrants, and
refugees, and has personally spent three years, after completing his term as
the Provincial, working for immigrant laborers in Japan. At least in Japan,
most Bishops know him well as he was a professor of theology, teaching both
at Sophia University and at the Tokyo diocesan seminary, and has served as a
theological consultant to several of them. Given his ever-smiling
personality, he has always been popular with young Jesuits, and most seniors
too admire him for his intellect and common sense.
Courtesy Fr. Francis Britto, S.J.
Sophia University, Japan
