The following decree from the 33rd General Congregation provides changes to the Formula of the General Congregation, the governing rules for the assembly of Jesuits. In particular the decree outlines how the congregation’s composition would be determined. The policy set forth by this decree responds to a request issued by a decree from the 32nd General Congregation that the apportionment of delegates be set “according to criteria which are not only quantitative but also qualitative.”
For more from the 33rd General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, please consult this page.
1. #1. Formula of the General Congregation 6, 3°–4° is changed in this way:
1° From provinces where the number of members remains less than 0.5% of the total membership of the Society of Jesus, one elector will be sent to the general congregation who is a professed of four vows elected by the province congregation.
2° From provinces where the number of members is at least 0.5% but remains less than 1.4% of the total membership of the Society, two electors will be sent to the general congregation: the provincial ex officio and another professed of four vows elected by the province congregation.
3° From provinces where the number of members is at least 1.4% but remains less than 2.4% of the total membership of the Society, three electors will be sent to the general congregation: the provincial and two other professed of four vows elected by the province congregation.
4° From provinces where the number of members is at least 2.4% but remains less than 3.2% of the total membership of the Society, four electors will be sent to the general congregation: the provincial and three other professed of four vows elected by the province congregation.
5° From provinces where the number of members is at least 3.2% but remains less than 4% of the total membership of the Society, five electors will be sent to the general congregation: the provincial and four other professed of four vows elected by the province congregation.
6° From provinces where the number of members is at least 4% but remains less than 4.8% of the total membership of the Society, six electors will be sent to the general congregation: the provincial and five other professed of four vows elected by the province congregation.
7° In a province where the number of members is at least 4.8% of the total membership of the Society, seven electors will be sent to the general congregation: the provincial and six other professed elected by the province congregation.
#2 The distinction between an independent vice-province and a province is no longer held and those independent vice-provinces currently existing by this decree become provinces.
#3. For the purpose of calculating the number of members in each province in #1, those who are applied (applicati) are counted as members of the province to which they are applied.
2. Formula of the General Congregation 6, 2° is changed to include among the electors both general counsellors who are not general assistants and regional assistants.
3. Other special norms which may be necessary both in the Formula of the General Congregation and in the Formula of the Province Congregation in order to render nn. 1 and 2 properly effective will be set down by the Superior General with the deliberative vote of those members of the General Curia who have the right to attend the general congregation by virtue of office at least ad negotia.
4. Those points set down in nn. 1 and 2 will be submitted to a new examination in the next upcoming general congregation. They remain in force, however, until they are legitimately changed.
Original Source (English translation):
Jesuit Life & Mission Today: The Decrees & Accompanying Documents of the 31st–35th General Congregations of the Society of Jesus, ed. John W. Padberg. St. Louis, Mo.: Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2009, General Congregation 33, Decree 3, “On the Composition of the General Congregation,” pg. 456–457 [60–72].