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Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Part of UK in Holy See

20th January 2015

The Jesuits: revival, restoration or re-establishment

StIgnatius
Andrea Pozzo’s fresco of St Ignatius of Loyola taken in the Sant’Ignazio Church, Rome. Photo: © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk

Earlier this week, the embassy co-hosted with the Pontifical Gregorian University – the university in Rome run by the Jesuits – an event to commemorate the bicentenary of the decision by Pope Pius VII to re-establish the Society of Jesus in 1814, 41 years after its suppression by Pope Clement XIV. This was much more than an historical event. The Jesuits continue to play a crucial role in the global Catholic Church, as they have since their foundation in 1540. As I noted in my brief speech, Jesuits have been at the heart of modern Catholic thinking, especially since the Second Vatican Council in 1965, leaders on ecumenism and freedom of religion, on poverty and indigenous rights, in educational and cultural developments. Not least, we have for the first time a Pope who was formed in the Jesuit tradition, and was the Jesuit Provincial Superior in Argentina during the 1970s.

Other speakers introduced us to the world of Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit history. Interestingly, it was the Catholic powers of Europe that pushed the Pope to suppress the Order, in the 18th century, while non-Catholic powers – Russia, Prussia and Britain – provided protection (both active and indifferent) during the 41 years out of favour. Stonyhurst College was established in Lancashire at that time, and Jesuits were able to teach and form a community there when it was forbidden for them to do so in Catholic Europe, while Heythrop College in London not long ago celebrated 400 years of continuous activity. This is rather an irony given the unwelcome reception given to Jesuit missionaries to England, Wales and Scotland, many of whom became martyrs, during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James VI and I. Whether 1814 saw restoration of the old Society of Jesus, or a new revival springing phoenix-like from the ashes, remains hotly debated by church historians.

Prejudices die hard. “Jesuitical” is a word still occasionally used in the English speaking world to describe people who dissemble or equivocate, and is defined as such in the Oxford English Dictionary. I have also heard it used as a synonym for cunning, even in describing the Pope. Jesuits are certainly taught to think clearly and systematically, and to reach decisions after careful discernment, which makes them formidable allies and tough opponents in an argument. Few Jesuits, least of all Pope Francis, will be dwelling on their history as they address contemporary realities with which they have to deal. But knowing where you have come from always helps an understanding of where you are going.

2 comments on “The Jesuits: revival, restoration or re-establishment

  1. I
    My best teachers at the university were jesuits from whom i learned to think clearly and after reviewing my day to act un consequence… I follow our Pope by Vaticana Radio and enjoy avery one of his reflexions… As a jesuita he is clear and a true teachers for al of us…lilia from Mexico

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About Nigel Baker

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as…

Nigel was British Ambassador to the Holy See from 2011-2016. He presented his Credentials to Pope Benedict XVI on 9 September 2011, after serving 8 years in Latin America, as Deputy Head of Mission in the British Embassy in Havana, Cuba (2003-6) and then as British Ambassador in La Paz, Bolivia (2007-11). In July 2016, Nigel finished his posting, and is currently back in London.

As the first British Ambassador to the Holy See ever to have a blog, Nigel provided a regular window on what the Embassy and the Ambassador does. The blogs covered a wide range of issues, from Royal and Ministerial visits to Diplomacy and Faith, freedom of religion, human trafficking and climate change.

More on Nigel’s career

Nigel was based in London between 1998 and 2003. He spent two years on European Union issues (for the UK 1998 EU Presidency and on European Security and Defence questions), before crossing St James’s Park to work for three years as The Assistant Private Secretary to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. At St James’s Palace, Nigel worked on international issues, including the management of The Prince of Wales’s overseas visits and tours, on the Commonwealth, interfaith issues, the arts and international development.

Nigel spent much of the early part of his FCO career in Central Europe, after an initial stint as Desk Officer for the Maghreb countries in the Near East and North Africa department (1990-91). Between 1992 and 1996, Nigel served in the British embassies in Prague and Bratislava, the latter being created in 1993 after the peaceful division of Czechoslovakia into the separate Czech and Slovak Republics.

Nigel joined the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) in September 1989. Between 1996 and 1998 he took a two year academic sabbatical to research and write about themes in 18th century European history, being based in Verona but also researching in Cambridge, Paris and Naples. The research followed from Nigel’s time as a student at Cambridge (1985-88) where he read history and was awarded a First Class Honours degree, followed by his MA in 1992.

Before joining the Foreign Office, Nigel worked briefly for the Conservative Research Department in London at the time of the 1989 European election campaign.

Nigel married Alexandra (Sasha) in 1997. They have one son, Benjamin, born in Bolivia in September 2008.

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