Fr Quyen Vu SJ, the Australian Jesuit Provincial attended the colloquium for new Provincials that was held at the Curia in Rome last month. The was a two-week training session brought together fifteen Provincial Superiors that were appointed during the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to travel restrictions and limitations with face-to-face contact during the pandemic, this training was unable to proceed for the last two years. The relaxing of restrictions allowed it to go ahead this year, and provided an opportunity for the newly-appointed superiors to get to know the services of the Curia of the Society in Rome. They were also able to familiarise themselves with some of their responsibilities in the accompaniment of their companions, in the management of goods, and also in juridical and canonical matters.
The Curia took the opportunity to interview Fr Quyen whilst he was in Rome and found out more about our Australian Province.
What would you say is the main characteristic of your Province? What has made the Australian Province unique?
‘Caring for the excluded and listening especially to the voices of our First Nations peoples have been our concern in recent years. We have, for a few years, initiated a project called “The Bookends Project” which seeks to reconcile our nation’s historical rejection of First Nations people and those seeking asylum into one of recognition, justice and hospitality. Education and collaboration with the laity have been a unique feature of our Province within the last twenty years. Our lay board members bring diversity of experience, a range of governance skills and a balance of gender to our mission. Lay collaborators head most of our key ministries.’
Fr Quyen noted that the Province’s ministries have been aligning themselves with the Universal Apostolic Preferences. He also expressed his hope to continue to carry out God’s work and contribute to the Church in Australia in the area of spirituality as well as service to the poor and the excluded in our society.
Read the full interview.
You can also read some reflections from other provincials at the training.
Source: Curia Generalizia della Compagnia di Gesù – Roma
Feature photo by Communications Office, Curia, Rome.