Local superiors, directors of each apostolate committee, and former major superiors of the Korean Jesuit Province gathered at the Jesuit Apostolic Center in Seoul on 1 May to give thanks to the previous leadership and welcome the new. Because of Covid-19, only a limited number of Jesuits were invited.

In his farewell message, outgoing Provincial Fr Chong Che-chon John SJ encouraged newly appointed Provincial Fr Kim Yong-su Paschal SJ: “There might be some challenges waiting for you, but I hope you remember that you are not alone. Go forward keeping your eyes on the Lord.”

Fr Chong asked his brother Jesuits to “pray for Fr Kim and ask the Lord to give him His Wisdom and Grace”. He enjoined them to support Fr Kim. “Jesuit leadership is to be mutual rather than to be one-sided,” he said, assuring the new provincial that, “You may expect friendship and faithfulness from your brothers because we all are companions in the Lord. I hope for you to be more courageous.”

In his inauguration speech, Fr Kim said, “When our hearts and minds are united, the challenges we may face will be a catalyst for our mission.” He entreated his brother Jesuits to strengthen their “Jesuit identity as ‘companions in the Lord’ and serve the Lord in and through the body of the Society of Jesus”.

The new Provincial pointed out several key missions that will be sought by the Korean Province. These are, first and foremost, implementing the Korean Apostolic Preferences; second, keeping Sogang University’s foundational spirit alive and growing as a Jesuit university; and third, paying more attention to the universal mission, in addition to the Cambodian Mission, which is a precious gift to the Korean Province.

Fr Kim concluded his address, saying: “I begin my mission as Provincial on the first day of May, the Month of Mary. I invite all of you to pray to Mother Mary for the Korean Province. I ask you to pray for me, this sinner. I also pray for you.”

Fr Kim entered the Society of Jesus in 1994. He studied theology at Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, USA and was ordained as a priest in 2004. He earned a doctorate in Christian Spirituality at Milltown Institute/National University of Ireland. His past assignments have included serving as lecturer at Sogang University, Province Secretary, Director of Institute for Ignatian Spirituality, and, most recently, Socius to the Provincial.

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