This issue of the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA) Newsletter arrives at a moment of transition and renewal—both within our Institute and across the wider Society of Jesus.
At the heart of this edition stands a powerful theme: continuity in mission through change. We witness it vividly in the appointment of Fr. Jean Luc Enyegue, S.J. as the new Provincial of the Jesuit West Africa Province (AOC), and my concomitant appointment as Interim Director of JHIA. The feature article on the Provincials of the AOC traces this Province’s rich history of leadership and service across West and Central Africa, culminating in the new chapter that begins as Fr. Enyegue prepares to assume his mission on January 3, 2026. These transitions remind us that the history we preserve is not static—it breathes, moves, and calls us into new frontiers of service.
This same spirit of continuity and dialogue animated the recent visit of Fr. Francis X. Clooney, S.J., Harvard scholar and pioneer of comparative theology. His reflections on how Jesuits of earlier centuries engaged Hinduism invite us to approach our histories with humility and attentiveness, recognizing both the insight and the limitation that accompany every encounter. In his words, studying the past becomes an act of faith—a way of deepening our awareness of God’s work across traditions.
Elsewhere in these pages, the review of A Mission Undecided brings alive the tenacity of Jesuits in South Africa, showing how faith can endure amid uncertainty. And as the Meeting of Jesuit Major Superiors and the address of Pope Leo XIV remind us, the Society’s call remains the same: to be present at the frontiers—geographical, cultural, and spiritual—where God’s grace meets human need.
Through it all, the work of JHIA continues to embody its founding mission: to remember, to document, and to make accessible the diverse voices of Africa’s faith histories. As we move through this season of change, we are invited to renew our commitment to that mission with creativity, courage, and care.
May this issue serve as both a record and an inspiration—a reminder that history, when carried with discernment, becomes a pathway to hope.
Norbert Litoing, S.J.,
Interim Director – JHIA
Access the complete issue and read all stories in detail: Download the November 2025 JHIA Newsletter (PDF)
