Networks and the Jesuit Mission

Some believe that networks are only operational organizational structures, but for us, they are above all opportunities to channel a new culture of collaboration and collective action that help us grow towards greater achievements in our shared mission. This is precisely the greatest strategic challenge facing the Jesuits since 2008. After the last General Congregation, we have strongly promoted the connection between mission and structures, with the priority being the mission, after which our structures and modes of action must be designed from a perspective of reaching greater universality. Jesuit Networking is an initiative trying to prove that networks are, without a doubt, an interesting answer to our search for structures that work in service of the universal mission.
And the thing is that once we accept our call to universality and are aware of the internationality and diversity of our apostolic body, our Ignatian criteria help to transform organizational structures into a key variable of discernment for the mission. Criteria such as the urgency or complexity of the problem are valid in and of themselves, but especially the search for the universal good or the absence of other actors (Constitutions 622-623) point directly to our dilemma: does the Society of Jesus have the structures necessary to carry out the mission to which it is called in this new globalized context? This is why collaborative organizational development and the adaptation of our mission structures are increasingly critical issues for our apostolic future.
While our concept of mission has increasingly evolved in a more corporate and universal manner, the structures to implement this mission have not been developed at the same pace. Since the mid-90s, inter- and supra provincial collaboration and networking are the organizational challenge through we are trying to bring apostolic structures up to date with the concept of mission. Therefore, the Jesuit networks can only be understood as a structural consequence of being a mission-oriented body, and can only be thought of as innovative ways to respond to new apostolic challenges. If it’s still not clear: the Jesuits only develop networks for the good of the mission, and the increased level of networking is the result of our ongoing apostolic discernment and our primary vocation to universality.
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