Later Life, Illness and Stroke
On August 7, 1981, after a long and tiring trip throughout the Far East, Fr. Arrupe suffered a stroke just after his aeroplane landed at Rome's Fiumicino Airport. He was paralysed on his right side and was able to speak only a few words. This ability gradually deteriorated until he was completely mute. From that time on he lived in the infirmary at the Jesuit Motherhouse. He was the first Jesuit Superior-General to resign instead of remaining in office until his death. Pope John Paul II appointed Fr. Paolo Dezza as his personal delegate and interim Father General of the Society, passing over Fr. Arrupe’ s own choice of vicar general. There was a wave of resentment in the Society as this was seen as unwarranted papal interference in Jesuit affairs. For his part, Fr. Arrupe never expressed any disagreement or resentment. In 1983, Fr. Dezza called the thirty-third General Congregation to deal with the resignation of Arrupe and the election of a successor. Fr. Arrupe's resignation was accepted on September 3, 1983 during the Congregation and it proceeded to elect Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach as Father General. During the opening Session of the Congregation Fr. Arrupe was wheeled into the hall, and a prayer which he had written was read out.
- More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth. But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God's hands.
During his ten long and silent years in the infirmary, praying for the Society, Fr. Arrupe received many and frequent well-wishers among whom Pope John Paul II was the most distinguished.
Read more about this topic: Pedro Arrupe
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