This article was translated by John R. Bopp
Regardless of one’s personal beliefs, or lack thereof, no one can deny the influence on world history that this man from Guizpuzcoa had. His name was Iñigo López. It’s so obvious that not even someone from Biscay can deny it (just a little joke between brothers).
He was a man of his times, with all the virtues and defects that that brings with it, and he created one of the most powerful (and most influential) teaching and education machines that has ever existed on the face of the planet: the Society of Jesus.
We could argue about the role this religious order has played over the centuries: reactionary for some, quasi-heretical (or just completely heretical) for others, revolutionary for still others. But what no one argues is that wherever they went (and they went to a lot of places that were far from comfortable), the level of education that the young people who went to their schools and universities was extraordinary. Similarly, no one argues that in that role of the educators of the elite, they sought out the best, including many who did not come from the families of the rich and powerful (which is rather redundant to say).
We’ve written about the Jesuits before, and even more lately, as one of their own was elected Pope, with all that that has meant in the change in direction the Church had had since the death of Paul VI. Undoubtedly, this Argentine Jesuit is going to take the Church of Rome along the path of the Second Vatican Council, and perhaps even further, because it seems for the moment that he’s going to continue on the path of “transformation and the return to its roots” that this Council brought to the Church and that, thanks to the support it gave, caused so many large problems to Society of Jesus.
Today is the Day of St. Ignatius, and millions of people around the world, some of them members of the order, but even more who have benefited from its educational initiatives, will remember this universal Basque.
To get to know a bit more about the Jesuits, we recommend reading this article. It’s highly illuminating. As is regularly commented in the forums, as if a terrible and secret defect were being revealed, it’s clear that the Jesuits tend to be faithful to the “double” reputation they’ve earned: absolute obedience to the Pontiff of Rome, and the defense of the poorest. As for the former, whatever; as for the latter, AMEN.
We’ll leave you with the “March of St. Ignatius”, recorder on the 5th centenary of the birth of Ignatius of Loyola.
Last Updated on Dec 20, 2020 by About Basque Country
