After 53 years of presence in a community in the Mexican state of Tabasco, the Society of Jesus concluded its pastoral service due to a “lack of personnel,” bringing to an end a period marked by its work accompanying the local population.
According to the Society of Jesus, since the Jesuits began their work at the Parish of San José and Our Lady of Remedies, in the community of Plátano y Cacao, they developed pastoral work closely linked to the organization of the communities.
From this work, cooperatives, community stores, and other social development projects emerged, as well as initiatives to support families facing situations such as flooding, water protection, and the consequences of oil-related activities.
On August 9, during a press conference, Mons. Gerardo de Jesús Rojas López, Bishop of Tabasco, acknowledged that the departure of the Jesuits “cannot yet be fully processed.”
“We were also surprised when they told us during Easter a few months ago that they were leaving due to a lack of personnel, that they were short-staffed, and that they were withdrawing,” he stated.
Given this situation, Mons. Rojas López considered that the departure of the Jesuit religious represents “a great loss” for the local Church, particularly “because of the service they provide, their presence, their spirituality, and everything that the holiness of the Society of Jesus entails.”
The prelate clarified that the conclusion of the Jesuits’ mission was not a decision made by the diocese, but rather a consequence of the lack of personnel currently facing the Society of Jesus.
Therefore, as this chapter came to an end, Mons. Rojas López expressed his gratitude for the Jesuits’ pastoral work and the mark they left on the communities, highlighting that during their time there they were “bearing fruit in our diocese.”
The farewell took place on August 9 with a Mass at the Parish of San José and Our Lady of Remedies, in Plátano y Cacao.
The celebration brought together Jesuit priests who had served in the community throughout the years, as well as young people, families, religious women, laypeople, and pastoral workers, to give thanks for the 53 years of the Society of Jesus’ presence.
Source: aciprensa
