The Australian Jesuit Province this week announced a new collaborative relationship with Australian Catholic University (ACU).
The new agreement, which starts on 1 January 2021, will open up new opportunities for students of Jesuit College of Spirituality and students of ACU, both locally and internationally.
Australian Jesuit Provincial Fr Brian McCoy said the new relationship was discerned in light of the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus worldwide, and the Priorities of the Australian Province as set out in its Apostolic Plan, both announced last year.
‘The move provides greater opportunity for Ignatian Spirituality outreach, engagement with youth and accompaniment of the marginalised and brings benefits to students of both institutions. We look forward to our partnership in mission with ACU’, he said.
As a young, innovative and internationally recognised Catholic university, ACU will provide JCS with enhanced capacity across the full spectrum of educational offers, an opportunity to engage with a culture of research excellence, internationally acclaimed faculty and a diverse, multi-campus student body.
Through its membership of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU), JCS will connect ACU with the global network of Jesuit universities including institutions such Fordham, Georgetown, and Marquette.
JCS also brings to ACU its distinctive expertise in the areas of spirituality and spiritual formation which are based on the Society of Jesus’ 500 years of educational and formation experience, founded in the life and teaching of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.
‘This collaboration signals a timely and significant development within the Catholic higher education landscape in Australia’, said ACU Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Greg Craven AO GCSG.
‘With a shared commitment to an education informed by the pursuit of knowledge, the dignity of the human person, and the common good, the collaboration between our two institutions illustrates how it is mission which underpins and animates strategy. In equal measure, it shows how this mission, defined by service, is one best pursued and achieved through partnership.’
The Province’s Collegiate Agreement with the University of Divinity expires on 31 December. In a joint statement, the Province and the University of Divinity expressed gratitude for the opportunities their relationship has provided in the specialist study of Ignatian spirituality and formation for ministry.
‘We acknowledge and give thanks for the contributions of the many members of staff at JCS and across the University of Divinity who have contributed to the success of this relationship.’
Joint statement from Australian Jesuits and University of Divinity