The Jesuit Major Superiors of South Asia, together with Fr. General, Arturo Sosa, the Regional
Assistants Frs. Vernon D’Cunha and M.K. George, convened at St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata,
for the Jesuit Conference of South Asia (JCSA). The meeting focused on governance, leadership
discernment, and pressing issues affecting the Society of Jesus in the region.

The key Deliberations included the Terna for New President of JCSA. The process began with an
exhortation by POSA, emphasizing openness to the Spirit and the qualities required of a
President: deep union with God, humility, charity, discernment, prudence, good health,
reputation, and contextual awareness. Then the three‑level process involved local superiors
and secretaries, the Major Superiors collectively, and finally the President’s consult, culminating
in recommendations of the Terna to Fr. General.

The second deliberation was on Ethnicity in the Jesuit Provinces of South Asia. The study team
presented findings on ethnic challenges within South Asian provinces. After the presentation
and clarifications, the Major Superiors engaged in group sharing and plenary discussions,
leading to an action plan to minimize ethnic tensions in the Provinces of South Asia.

The Major superiors also spent time in sharing their life-mission among themselves, discussed
the Review of RRSJSA and how to take it forward and the plans for Kohima University. During the
meeting some time was set aside for Guidance from Regional Assistants: Fr. M K George shared
on matters to be attended to in ex‑officio letters and spiritual conversation; Fr. Vernon D’Cunha
shared on governance, vocation promotion, database accuracy, leadership evaluation, and
effective handovers.

The privileged moment of the Kolkata JCSA meeting was the presence of Fr General, who,
during the two sessions, interacted with the Major Superiors on various issues on governance.
The highlights of his address were the fruits of the meeting of Major Superiors in Rome,
formation and governance, including probation, tertianship, and backlog issues, roles of
formation delegates and assistants, safeguarding and care for leaders, vocation promotion,
education apostolate, higher education, ethnicity, intellectual formation, including the role of
artificial intelligence and examen practices.

Of course, as the JCSA meeting came to a close, we bade goodbye to four of our outgoing Major
Superiors, Fr Ajit Kumar Xess, the provincial of Ranchi, Fr Durai Fernand, the provincial of
Gujarat, Fr Soosai Mani, the provincial of Delhi and Fr Jerome Cutinha, the provincial of
Jamshedpur, who, with their experience and expertise always made a difference in the JCSA
meetings.

The whole meeting balanced serious discernment with moments of relaxation, including visits
to Mother’s Wax Museum and Eco Park. Besides, prayer, sharing, and the hospitality of the
Kolkata Province and St. Xavier’s University enriched the gathering. Overall, the Kolkata JCSA
meeting was marked by deep spiritual discernment, practical governance discussions, and
fraternal fellowship. It strengthened unity among Jesuit leaders while addressing leadership
succession, ethnic challenges, and the evolving mission of the Society of Jesus in South Asia.

Thomas Perumalil, S.J.
Socius to POSA