On 3 to 5 June, at the Generalate of the Society of Jesus, four Conference Delegates of Development (CDD) and the General Treasurer of the Society of Jesus, with his three assistants, met to discuss the situation in the Conference Development Offices (CDO). The situation in each conference differs, and because of those differences, there is opportunity for us to learn from each other.

One of the important topics was the sharing of resources among conferences, including information and best practices for development offices. The other important topic, which was talked about with significant enthusiasm, was a programme called CRM (Customer Relationship Management). Development offices should maintain relationships with donors in the spirit of stewardship, and CRM is a part of that spirit. The programme would enable us not only to maintain but also to nourish relationships between the different development offices and benefactors, as friends carrying out God’s mission in the world.

The other crucial thing during the meeting was Fr General Arturo Sosa’s address on the second day. He covered several important topics, including the focus of our conversations. He invited the CDDs to promote an examen of the process to find better ways to support the life-mission of the Society since the creation of the Development Office in the General Curia in 2007.

Fr Sosa likewise underscored the Ignatian concept of religious poverty in apostolic life. Besides the need for careful discernment of religious poverty and apostolic collaboration that presupposes solidarity and care for benefactors, he also described poverty as like a mother who engenders commitment and mission. For him, poverty is a wall that defends against deviations from pride and power and that separates the Society from worldliness. In his words, Jesuits are sent to preach in poverty.

Father General also touched on the importance of the province and major superiors’ development offices and the need for solidarity within the Society of Jesus. Lastly, he reminded the development officers to keep in mind the geopolitical context of our life-mission.

One of the fruits of our conversations is clarity on the roles of the Conference Delegates of Development (CDD) and the Province Delegates of Development (PDD). In brief, the CDD oversees organisation, training, and sharing at the conference level, while the PDD is responsible for fundraising, capacity building, collaboration and networking, communication and marketing. The PDD will also have a consultative role in the projects of the province.

In sum, the meeting was a reminder of the need to implement the Jesuit way of proceeding: to discern, collaborate, create, and maintain networks in doing God’s mission in the world.