After his election at the 35th General Congregation (2008) Father General appointed 9 Regional Assistants from a list, provided by the Congregation.

These “Regional Assistants” help him in the governance of the Society of Jesus and have a responsibility in a (territorial) Assistancy.

Assistancies

There are nine assistancies:

AFR: Africa

ALM: Southern part of South America
(America Latina Meridionalis)

ALS: Northern part of South America
(America Latina Septentrionalis)

ASM: South Asia (Asia Meridionalis)

ASP: Asia Pacific

ECO: Central and Eastern Europe
(Europa Centralis et Orientalis)

EMR: Southern Europe
(Europa Meridionalis)

EOC: Western Europe
(Europa Occidentalis)

USA: The United States of America

Role of the Regional Assistants

The Regional Assistants help and support Father General in his decision- making. Each one is responsible for the oral and written communication with the provinces of his Assistancy).

The entire governance structure of the Society of Jesus is based on a continuous flow of information and extensive consultations.

Each and every decision is based on the reports received from local Superiors, brother Jesuits, lay collaborators as well as the provincial’s personal knowledge of every Jesuit and apostolate in his province.

Decisions to call a man to ordination, to final vows, appointments of Superiors and Directors of Apostolates all follow this careful decision-making process.