International Symposium on Jesuit Studies: In the World, Not of the World Jesuits, Conflicts, and Peacemaking (1540–Present)
The International Symposium on Jesuit Studies, hosted in Dublin, IRL, will explore the multifaceted history of the Society of Jesus from its founding in the mid-sixteenth century to the present day. The symposium's theme, "In the World, Not of the World: Jesuits, Conflicts, and Peacemaking," invites scholars to examine the complex relationship between the Jesuit order and global conflicts, as well as its contributions to peacebuilding efforts across various historical and geographical contexts. This event offers a significant opportunity for interdisciplinary dialogue on the historical impact and contemporary relevance of Jesuit engagement in times of strife.
Committees & topics
Topics
Ignatian Spirituality and Theology as Frameworks for Conflict and Reconciliation · Jesuit Roles as Diplomats, Mediators, Chaplains, and Controversialists · Colonial Missions, Indigenous Communities, and the Politics of Violence and Protection · Internal Jesuit Disputes and Mechanisms of Institutional Cohesion · The Jesuit Tradition of Peacemaking in Dialogue with Contemporary Contexts of Structural Violence and Post-Conflict Reconciliation
Why it matters
The symposium's focus on Jesuit involvement in conflicts and peacemaking is crucial for understanding the historical interplay between religious institutions and geopolitical events. The Society of Jesus has a long and often controversial history, marked by periods of significant influence and intense opposition. Examining their role in various conflicts, from colonial encounters to modern social justice movements, provides valuable insights into the dynamics of power, faith, and societal change.
Furthermore, the theme encourages an exploration of the diverse strategies employed by Jesuits in navigating and mediating conflicts. This includes their educational initiatives, missionary work, and intellectual contributions, all of which have had profound impacts on cultural and political landscapes globally. Understanding these historical approaches can inform contemporary discussions on conflict resolution and the role of non-state actors in promoting peace.
The symposium's broad historical scope, spanning from the mid-sixteenth century to the present, allows for a comprehensive analysis of how the Jesuit approach to conflict and peacemaking has evolved. This longitudinal perspective is essential for discerning patterns, identifying enduring principles, and recognizing adaptations in response to changing global circumstances. Such an examination contributes to a more nuanced understanding of religious diplomacy and its potential for both exacerbating and alleviating tensions.
How to prepare
Delegates preparing for this symposium should consider the diverse historical and geographical contexts in which the Society of Jesus has operated. A thorough understanding of key historical periods, such as the Counter-Reformation, the Age of Exploration, and the suppression and restoration of the order, will be beneficial. Research into specific conflicts where Jesuits played a notable role, either as participants or peacemakers, will also be valuable.
Familiarity with the core tenets of Jesuit spirituality and intellectual traditions, such as Ignatian pedagogy and discernment, will enrich discussions on their motivations and methods. Exploring the concept of 'being in the world, not of the world' as a guiding principle for Jesuit action can provide a framework for analyzing their engagement strategies. This involves understanding how Jesuits have sought to influence society while maintaining their distinct spiritual identity.
Finally, delegates should be prepared to engage with interdisciplinary perspectives. The topic lends itself to analyses from history, theology, political science, sociology, and peace studies. Considering how different academic disciplines interpret Jesuit actions and their impact on conflict and peace will foster a more comprehensive and robust dialogue at the symposium.
Country perspectives
Where the most-relevant 2 countries stand on the core issues in play. Click through for the full country profile.
Vatican CityAs the spiritual and administrative center of the Catholic Church, the Vatican has historically overseen and influenced the Society of Jesus, particularly in matters of doctrine, mission, and institutional structure.
Role in topic
The Vatican's relationship with the Society of Jesus has been complex, marked by periods of strong support, strategic deployment, and even suppression. Its perspective is crucial for understanding the broader ecclesiastical context of Jesuit involvement in global conflicts and peacemaking efforts, as well as the directives and constraints placed upon the order by the Holy See.
IrelandAs the host nation, Ireland provides a significant historical and contemporary context for discussions on religious orders, conflict, and peacebuilding, particularly given its own history of sectarian conflict and peace processes.
Role in topic
Ireland's experience with internal conflict and its journey towards peace offer a relevant backdrop for examining the symposium's themes. The presence of Jesuit institutions in IRL and their historical roles within Irish society can provide specific case studies for understanding the interplay between religious organizations, national identity, and conflict resolution.
Topics & background
The background behind each topic and the actors that shape it.
Ignatian Spirituality and Theology as Frameworks for Conflict and Reconciliation
Key players
- Vatican City
Magisterial authority over Jesuit theology and shaper of Catholic reconciliation doctrine.
SpainBirthplace of Ignatius and the School of Salamanca that fused Ignatian theology with just-war and natural-law thought.
ItalySeat of the Jesuit Curia in Rome and historic center for the codification of the Exercises and Constitutions.
FranceMajor site of early modern Jesuit theological controversy and twentieth-century ressourcement that reframed reconciliation theology.
El SalvadorSetting of the UCA martyrs and a touchstone for contemporary Ignatian theologies of justice and reconciliation.
Jesuit Roles as Diplomats, Mediators, Chaplains, and Controversialists
Key players
- Vatican City
Principal employer of Jesuit papal envoys and arbiter of when the Society could act diplomatically.
- Spain
Patron of Jesuit court confessors and missions across its global monarchy.
PortugalSponsor and later expeller of Jesuit diplomats in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
- France
Site of royal Jesuit confessors and bitter controversies over Gallicanism and regicide doctrine.
ChinaHost of the Ming-Qing Jesuit mission whose diplomatic-scientific role defined cross-cultural mediation.
JapanSetting of Valignano's accommodation strategy and the subsequent persecution that tested Jesuit political engagement.
Colonial Missions, Indigenous Communities, and the Politics of Violence and Protection
Key players
- Portugal
Crown under whose padroado Jesuits operated across Brazil, Africa, and Asia.
- Spain
Sponsor of missions in the Americas and the Philippines, including the Paraguay reductions.
BrazilSite of Guaraní and Tupi missions and of bandeirante raids that defined the violence-protection dynamic.
ParaguayHeartland of the reducciones and a contested symbol of mission as refuge and as control.
United StatesInheritor of the Maryland Jesuit slaveholding legacy now central to memory and reparations debates.
CanadaSetting of the New France missions and ongoing reconciliation with First Nations communities.
Internal Jesuit Disputes and Mechanisms of Institutional Cohesion
Key players
- Vatican City
Final arbiter of Jesuit doctrinal disputes and periodic intervener in the Society's governance.
- Italy
Location of the Jesuit Curia and General Congregations that institutionalize cohesion.
- Spain
Origin of foundational disputes over conversos, governance, and Molinism.
- France
Center of probabilism, Gallican, and Jansenist controversies that fractured Jesuit reception.
- Portugal
First state to expel the Jesuits in 1759, catalyzing the crisis that led to suppression.
The Jesuit Tradition of Peacemaking in Dialogue with Contemporary Contexts of Structural Violence and Post-Conflict Reconciliation
Key players
- El Salvador
Site of the UCA martyrdoms and a paradigmatic case of Jesuit witness against structural violence.
ColombiaSetting of sustained Jesuit peacebuilding engagement around the armed conflict and 2016 accord.
- Vatican City
Source of magisterial framing—Populorum Progressio, Laudato Si', Fratelli Tutti—shaping Jesuit reconciliation work.
Democratic Republic of the CongoMajor theatre of Jesuit refugee and peacebuilding work in the Great Lakes region.
PhilippinesContext of Jesuit engagement in Mindanao peace processes and human rights advocacy.
- United States
Home of major Jesuit universities and institutions now reckoning with slavery and leading reconciliation scholarship.
Resources
News, lessons, and country profiles to prep for International Symposium on Jesuit Studies: In the World, Not of the World Jesuits, Conflicts, and Peacemaking (1540–Present).
Recent reporting to ground your prep
Lessons
Bite-sized lessons to build the basics
Courses
Guided courses that go deeper on the topic
The states in play, with the data that shapes their stance
IrelandCountry dossier
Vatican CityCountry dossier
SpainCountry dossier
ItalyCountry dossier
FranceCountry dossier
El SalvadorCountry dossier
PortugalCountry dossier
ChinaCountry dossier
JapanCountry dossier
BrazilCountry dossier
ParaguayCountry dossier
United StatesCountry dossier
CanadaCountry dossier
ColombiaCountry dossier
Democratic Republic of the CongoCountry dossier
PhilippinesCountry dossier
Related conferences
By committee
- Ignatian Spirituality and Theology as Frameworks for Conflict and Reconciliation
- Jesuit Roles as Diplomats, Mediators, Chaplains, and Controversialists
- Colonial Missions, Indigenous Communities, and the Politics of Violence and Protection
- Internal Jesuit Disputes and Mechanisms of Institutional Cohesion
- The Jesuit Tradition of Peacemaking in Dialogue with Contemporary Contexts of Structural Violence and Post-Conflict Reconciliation