New Jesuit Provincials Visit the JRS Europe Office

Today, the JRS Europe office had the privilege of welcoming new Provincials of the Society of Jesus in Europe: Fr Mateusz Janyga SJ, Provincial of the Province of Southern Poland; Fr. António Valério SJ, Provincial of Portugal; Fr Bart van Emmerik SJ, Regional Superior of the Independent Region of the European Low Countries (ELC); Fr. Marjan Kokalj SJ, Provincial of Slovenia; Fr Bernhard Bürgler SJ, Regional Assistant for Central and Eastern Europe; Fr Christian Motsch SJ, French Jesuit (EOF) and member of JESC;  and Fr. Gonzalo Villagrán SJ, Socius and Treasurer of the Jesuit Conference of Provincials in Europe and the Middle East (JCEP) and member of the Board of JRS Europe.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity for dialogue and exchange with our team in Brussels. Coordinated by JRS Europe Director Fr. Alberto Ares SJ, the meeting included an overview of the projects currently being implemented across Europe, as well as a reflection on the broader migration and asylum situation in the region.

The team presented key initiatives addressing the needs of refugees and forcibly displaced persons, including legal assistance, community-building programmes, access to housing, labour market integration, and raising awareness campaigns, among others. The discussion also underscored the structural challenges affecting displaced communities, while highlighting opportunities to foster more welcoming and inclusive societies.

The gathering concluded with a shared meal, where the participants enjoyed a delicious traditional meal prepared by an Indonesian migrant family.

The encounter was marked by mutual encouragement and reaffirmed the Society of Jesus’ mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for refugees. JRS Europe looks forward to continued collaboration with the Provincials and the wider Jesuit network.