We know that death comes to everyone, nothing is more certain. Yet somehow, Zulo has been with us forever and why should that change? Yet death, so common, so utterly usual, normal, has come to claim him and to surprise us. Even in his diminishment these last 5 or 7 years the essential Zulo was ever present. Through years of dialysis with its obvious discomfort, he retained his inscrutable, penetrating, quizzical gaze. His face had a Mona Lisa quality. Was that a smile, a question, or a comment?
Last June he agreed to the operation to insert a stent. Without it he would fail even more quickly. With it he had a chance to see some of his cherished projects to fulfillment, even though there were risks. He never properly recovered, and despite his stubborn desire to continue, his strong Basque heart finally ran its course, peacefully and quietly, during a session of dialysis.
Father Ismael G Zuloaga SJ died on 8 October in Manila at the age of 84, ending a life of deep engagement as an educator, administrator and fatherly figure to many, serving the Church and Jesuits of Asia Pacific. Even before he joined the Loyola Province of the Jesuits in 1943 at the age of 16, Ismael had volunteered for the China mission. Because of the revolution in China, however, he was diverted to the Philippines where he completed theology studies. After ordination in 1957 he was given a series of assignments in Japan, Taiwan and Timor Leste. The current Prime Minister of Timor Leste, Xanana Gusmão and the Bishop of Dili Alberto Ricardo da Silva, were among his students. In 1965 Zulo was assigned to Xavier School in Manila, set up 10 years earlier to assist the Chinese Filipino community.
He spent a lifetime building Xavier School in person or through proxies. He remained there for 20 years and is credited with developing the educational philosophy, physical plant and supportive community of Xavier. During his time the school grew massively in enrolment, quality of education and involvement of its parent and alumni communities. He championed lay collaboration with the result that his successor as Grade School Principal was a lay person, Ms Jenny Go.
Zulo was appointed to the Jesuit Conference of East Asia and Oceania (now known as the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific) in 1992, where he served as the Conference President until 2004. In this role he developed many of the features of the Conference that continue today, constantly promoting greater co-responsibility and cooperation among provincials for the Society’s universal mission . He encouraged the roles of lay people and religious in leading Jesuit missions. He promoted plans for an international theologate. He was the first major superior for Timor Leste, Cambodia and Myanmar, known then as “common missions” of the Conference.
Recognizing his discerning approach to the situation of the Church in China he was also appointed by Fr General as his Delegate for China. Among his many contributions for China, he set up a service to support priests and religious from China who came to study in the Philippines, and he was instrumental in setting up an academic centre in Beijing for the study of China’s relations with the West, and in establishing a business school within Peking University which was eventually given over to the university. During his 12 years presiding over the Jesuit Conference he witnessed countless provincials complete their terms.
On concluding his role at the Jesuit Conference he returned to Xavier School where he continued to run a China Office until 2009. As a young man, China had inspired his vocation; his affection for the people and Church of China was lifelong. He led the alumni organization for the Golden Jubilee of Xavier School, and laid the foundations for an appeal that enabled Xavier School to expand to a second school, Xavier Nuvali, in the outskirts of metro-Manila.
Severely handicapped by failing health, and regular dialysis for the past 6 or 7 years, yet he continued with many public roles. It was a hard day for him when he was no longer to say a regular Sunday mass in the Mary the Queen parish. But he continued to be bright, joyful and even mischievous, always deeply interested to know what was happening in the life of his alumni and in the Conference, especially for old friends in Cambodia, Myanmar and Timor Leste.
“Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks.” – Luke 12, 35
Mark Raper SJ
President, Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific
October 9, 2012