Eco-delegates from across the Jesuit Conference of European Provincials convened at the newly established Ukama Centre for Social-Ecological Transformation in Nuremberg for their annual gathering on 2-6 April. The meeting brought together representatives from seven provinces in person and two online, demonstrating the growing commitment to ecological action within the Jesuit network since the group’s formation in 2022. Under the coordination of Filipe Martins SJ, JESC Director and JCEP Social-Ecological Delegate, participants engaged in a carefully structured programme that balanced spiritual reflection, provincial updates, and strategic planning. Bèla Kuslits, JESC Senior Ecology Officer, also participated in the meeting.
The three-day agenda featured significant contributions from climate activists Bettina Schiebel from Last Generation and Vincent Gewert of Fridays for Future, alongside insights from climate specialist Michael Stöhr and transformation scientist Stefan Eisiedel. A particular highlight was the collaborative session requested by JCEP President Dalibor Renić SJ, also present in the meeting, regarding the new Conference Apostolic Plan. The final day saw delegates reviewing the results of the 2024 global survey on the Universal Apostolic Preference 4 (UAP4), which tracks ecological initiatives across the Society of Jesus.
Key conclusions from the gathering included recognition of uneven but meaningful progress across provinces, acknowledgement that ecological transformation must be integrated rather than isolated from other mission areas, and affirmation of the value of sharing practices across the network. The delegates particularly noted the importance of meeting in locations that embody ecological values, concluding with plans to convene again in 2026 at Portugal’s eco-spiritual Casa Velha project. This second in-person meeting demonstrated the maturing approach of European Jesuits to what one participant described as the “integral eco-social transformation of society” that contemporary challenges demand.
