[SeattleUte]

Originally Posted by Venkman

Are they the liberation theology types?

Some have been but I think that like Communism liberatoin theology is pretty much kaput these days. On the other hand, a lot of Jesuits are specialists in and have a special devotion to the Classics and education in general which can lead to rejection of liberation theology's radical liberalism. This in addition to their wanderlust and exploratory tendencies in the 17-19 centuries is what they were known for. Jesuits were at the vanguard of Catholic expansion outside Europe, and mostly through establishing monestaries and schools, vs. hierarchical Catholic institutions. I understand it takes a great deal of study to become a Jesuit. Many of the religious orders you hear about like the Franciscans and the Benedictines are very old. But the Jesuits were established by Ignatius of Loyola at the heighth of the Renaissance. They are a secret combination that has had a somewhat tortured relationship with the Pope for various reasons. I visited Loyola's birthplace and the basillica bult in his honor in nothern Spain when I was there. It was worth the effort. He had been a noble, a soldier and an intellectual before creating the order after he was seriously wounded.