As we present the August 2026 edition of the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa (JHIA) Newsletter, we are reminded that the life of our institutions is marked by continuity, renewal, and a shared commitment to the mission of the Society of Jesus. This issue captures several significant moments that reflect these enduring values.
Foremost among them is the official appointment of Fr. Jean Paul Savi, SJ, as Director of the Jesuit Historical Institute in Africa. We warmly welcome him to JHIA and look forward to the vision and leadership he brings to the Institute as we continue our mission of preserving memory, advancing historical scholarship, and serving the Church in Africa and Madagascar. At the same time, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Fr. Norbert Litoing, SJ, whose generous and steady leadership as Interim Director ensured continuity during this period of transition. His guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support of the Institute’s work are deeply appreciated, and we wish him every blessing in his continued ministry.
This edition also highlights the successful conclusion of the inaugural Collaborative Theology Initiative (CTI) Summer Course at Hekima University College. Bringing together students and faculty from Jesuit theology centres across the world, the programme demonstrated the richness of intercultural learning and the value of collaboration in theological formation. We are particularly pleased that JHIA was able to contribute to this initiative by providing historical resources that supported the study of the early Society of Jesus. The experience serves as a reminder that preserving our history is not merely an archival endeavour but a living contribution to the intellectual and apostolic mission of the Society today.
Our Jesuit family also gathered in thanksgiving to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Marcel Uwineza, SJ, whose twenty-five years of faithful service to the Society of Jesus were commemorated in Kigali, Rwanda. A delegation of seventeen members from Hekima University College joined the celebrations at Centre Christus and the Eucharistic celebration at Kanzenze on 31 July 2026, reflecting the strong bonds of fraternity that unite Jesuit institutions across the continent.
As this issue was going to press, the Society of Jesus continued to witness important moments of renewal across Africa. We rejoiced in the celebration of priestly ordinations in several Jesuit provinces, a powerful testament to the continued growth of the Society and the generosity of those responding to God’s call in service of the Church. We also celebrated the Final Perpetual Vows of Fr. Olivier Kayitare, SJ, Fr. Christopher Mapunda, SJ, and Fr. Augustine Ekeno, SJ, on the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and welcomed the appointment of Fr. Dominique Dhedya Bamunoba, SJ, as the new Provincial of the Jesuit Central Africa Province (ACE), succeeding Fr. Rigobert Kyungu Musenge, SJ. These significant events will be featured in greater detail in our September edition.
As always, we remain grateful to our contributors, collaborators, and readers whose support continues to strengthen the mission of JHIA. We hope the stories in this issue not only inform but also inspire a deeper appreciation of the people, institutions, and partnerships that continue to shape Jesuit scholarship, formation, and mission across Africa and beyond.
The JHIA Editorial Team
