General Congregation

Building of the General Curia of the Jesuit order on Borgo Santo Spirito in Rome, with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in the background
This article is about the Jesuit decision-making body. For the General Congregations of Cardinals during sede vacante, see Universi Dominici Gregis § Chapter II.

The General Congregation is an assembly of the Jesuit representatives from all parts of the world, and serves as the highest authority in the Society of Jesus. A General Congregation (GC) is always summoned on the death or resignation of the administrative head of the order, called the Superior General or Father General,[1] to choose his successor, and it may be called at other times if circumstances warrant. A smaller congregation of worldwide representatives meets every three years to discuss internal business and to decide the need for a general congregation.

  1. ^ Jesuit Curia in Rome, Father General, accessed 11 September 2018