Twelve socii from the various Provinces and Regions in the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP) met in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam, for the JCAP Socii Meeting. Held from 25 to 29 November, the socii were joined by several guests from the General Curia in Rome–Fr Benoit Malvaux (Procurator General), Fr Antoine Kerhuel (General Secretary), and Fr Ramon (Danny) Toledo (Regional Secretary for Asia Pacific)–who shared with us important aspects of the socius’ role in the Society of Jesus. The meeting was an invaluable opportunity for the socii to get to know each other and the people they usually work with in the General Curia.
The socii took time to reflect on the relationship between the Provincial/Regional Curiae and the General Curia, and between the socius and the major superior. The word “socius” means “comrade”, “friend” or “ally”. The Society of Jesus intentionally chose the term socius to signify someone meant to support the Major Superior beyond just serving as a secretary or administrator.
Drawing from an address by Fr General Aturo Sosa on 9 November 2020, Fr Kerhuel pointed to three analogies to explain the mission of the socius. Firstly, the socius is a “companion” of the major superior, who accompanies him in his concerns. Secondly, the socius is a “bridge” between the province/region and the individual Jesuits, as well as between the province/region and the higher levels of the Society’s government. Thirdly, the socius is a “Walking-cane” who supports the major superior and helps him to see from different perspectives. It is in this regard that the socius is, usually, also the admonitor of the major superior. The other topics discussed at the meeting included the administrative processes for the granting of final vows, the dismissal and laicisation of Jesuits, and matters involving financial administration.
On the third day of the meeting, the socii took a day off to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels to learn about the painful experiences of Vietnam’s recent war history. Cu Chi, an area some 70 kilometres from Saigon, was the site of some of the heaviest fighting during the Vietnam War. The Viet Cong built an extensive network of tunnels at the site from which they launched repeated attacks on the Americans in Saigon. The Americans retaliated with heavy bombing of the area. The visit was a reminder of the preciousness and fragility of peace and the importance of the Christian mission to be peacemakers.
Given that most of the attending socii were appointed within the previous two years, the meeting was a much-needed opportunity to help us understand our roles better and to clarify some of our questions. Much credit should go to the Vietnamese hosts of the meeting for their generous hospitality. [Greg Tan SJ/MAS Communications]