Final Years
In his final years Janssens had to confront a dissension which was arising among theologians inside and outside the Society. He tried to moderate the problem, but to no avail, since the difficulty was not only within the Society, but also throughout the whole Church. Some observers said it was the massive re-emergence of the systematics of modernism or neo-modernism, others say it was the problem of general liberalism in society and opposition to hierarchy in all institutions.
He was the last to see the numbers in the Society top out at 36,000 members. After which high point there was a steady drop for the next thirty years. The turmoil in the Society and in the Church would not go away.
After 18 years and one month as Superior General, Father Janssens died at the age of 75 on 5 October 1964. His body was taken to the Jesuit vault at Campo Verano where are interred most of the Jesuits who die in Rome.
| Preceded by Wlodimir Ledochowski |
Superior General of the Society of Jesus 1946–1964 |
Succeeded by Pedro Arrupe |
|
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| Name | Janssens, Jean-Baptiste |
| Alternative names | |
| Short description | Jesuit Superior General |
| Date of birth | 22 December 1889 |
| Place of birth | Mechelen, Belgium |
| Date of death | 5 October 1964 |
| Place of death | |
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