Adolfo Nicolás facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Very Reverend Adolfo Nicolás S.J. |
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| Superior-General Emeritus of the Society of Jesus | |
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| Church | Catholic Church |
| Enthroned | 19 January 2008 |
| Reign ended | 3 October 2016 |
| Predecessor | Peter Hans Kolvenbach |
| Successor | Arturo Sosa |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 17 March 1967 |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Adolfo Nicolás Pachón |
| Born | 29 April 1936 Villamuriel de Cerrato, Spain |
| Died | 20 May 2020 (aged 84) Tokyo, Japan |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Alma mater |
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Adolfo Nicolás Pachón (29 April 1936 – 20 May 2020) was a Spanish priest who belonged to the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He was the 30th leader of the Jesuits, called the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, from 2008 to 2016.
Before becoming the leader of the Jesuits, Nicolás spent most of his time working in Japan. He taught at Sophia University in Tokyo for 20 years. He also led educational places in Manila from 1978 to 1984 and in Tokyo from 1991 to 1993. From 1993 to 1996, he was in charge of the Jesuits in Japan. After working with people in Tokyo for four years, he led the Jesuits in Asia from 2004 to 2008.
Even though a Superior General is usually chosen for life, Nicolás decided to step down, just like the leader before him, Peter Hans Kolvenbach. The rules of the Jesuits allow this.
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Early Life and Studies
Adolfo Nicolás was born in Villamuriel de Cerrato, a town in Spain. He joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1953. He studied at the University of Alcalá, where he earned a degree in philosophy.
In 1960, he moved to Japan to learn the Japanese language and understand Japanese culture. He started studying to become a priest at Sophia University in Tokyo in 1964. He was ordained as a priest on 17 March 1967.
His Work as a Priest
From 1968 to 1971, Adolfo Nicolás studied in Rome at the Pontifical Gregorian University. There, he earned a special degree called a doctorate in theology. When he returned to Japan, he became a professor of systematic theology (a way of studying religious beliefs) at his old university, Sophia University. He taught there for 20 years.
He was the Director of the East Asian Pastoral Institute in the Philippines from 1978 to 1984. Later, he was the rector (leader) of a Jesuit school in Tokyo from 1991 to 1993. After that, he was chosen to be the Provincial for the Jesuits in Japan. This meant he was in charge of all the Jesuits in that area.
After his six-year term as Provincial ended in 1999, he spent four years doing pastoral work. This involved helping poor immigrants in Tokyo.
In 2004, he became the President of the Jesuit Conference for Eastern Asia and Oceania. His office was in the Philippines. In this role, he helped Jesuits in many countries, including Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Micronesia, Myanmar, and East Timor.
Besides his native Spanish, Nicolás could speak Catalan, English, Italian, French, and Japanese.
Leading the Society of Jesus
On 19 January 2008, Adolfo Nicolás was chosen as the 30th Superior General of the Jesuit Order. This happened during a special meeting called the thirty-fifth General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. He took over from Peter Hans Kolvenbach, who was from the Netherlands and had resigned.
His election was quickly shared with Pope Benedict XVI, who approved him for the position. At that time, Nicolás was leading a group of about 18,500 Jesuits around the world.
Many people noticed that Nicolás was similar to a past Superior General, Pedro Arrupe. Father Arrupe, like Nicolás, was a Spanish missionary who worked in Japan. Nicolás described Arrupe as a "great missionary, a national hero, a man on fire."
Changes at the Jesuit Headquarters
In March 2011, Nicolás announced some changes to how the main Jesuit offices (called the General Curia) were organized. He created new roles and a special committee. This was part of a task given to him by the previous General Congregation.
His Resignation
After talking with Pope Francis, Nicolás decided to resign after his 80th birthday. He started the process to call a new Jesuit General Congregation to choose his replacement. Before his predecessor, Peter Hans Kolvenbach, resigned, it was not common for a Jesuit Superior General to step down; they usually served until they died. However, the Jesuit rules do allow for a resignation.
On 2 October 2016, at the thirty-sixth General Congregation in Rome, Nicolás announced that he planned to resign at age 80.
In October 2016, the thirty-sixth General Congregation of the Society of Jesus chose his successor, Arturo Sosa from Venezuela.
His Beliefs and Ideas
Missionary Work
Nicolás once said that "Asia has a lot yet to offer the Church." He also talked about missionaries who care more about teaching strict rules than truly understanding the local people. He believed that when missionaries truly connect with people, they learn a lot and see "genuine humanity" that comes from different sources.
After he was elected Superior General, Nicolás gave a speech where he talked about the importance of service. He said, "The more we become as servants, the more pleased God is." He also linked being poor with relying only on God for strength. He believed that the Jesuits' strength comes from God, not from power or research.
Nicolás also thought that the Jesuits' message is "a message of salvation." He felt it was important to figure out what kind of salvation people today are looking for.
Loyalty to the Pope
When Pope Benedict XVI asked the Jesuits to show their loyalty to the teachings of the Church and the Pope, Nicolás and the Jesuits responded. They said, "The Society of Jesus was born within the Church, we live in the Church, we were approved by the Church and we serve the Church. This is our calling." They also said that being united with the Pope shows their connection to Christ and ensures their mission is part of the Church's larger mission.
Economic Fairness
In June 2016, Nicolás shared a document with all Jesuits called Justice In The Global Economy. This document suggested that Jesuits should work harder for economic justice around the world. The text, written by Jesuits and other experts, proposed ways to reduce unfairness. These ideas included:
- Public policies to share wealth more evenly.
- Good management of natural resources.
- Stronger rules for money markets.
- Fighting against corruption.
- Richer countries giving 0.7% of their GDP (the total value of goods and services produced) to help poorer countries develop.
Death
Adolfo Nicolás passed away on 20 May 2020, in Tokyo, at the age of 84. He had been unwell in his final years and lived at the Loyola House in Kamishakujii. The news of his death was first shared by the Jesuit Curia in Rome.
See also
In Spanish: Adolfo Nicolás Pachón para niños
