By Jose Kavi

Kochi, April 3, 2019: Father George Mutholil has been appointed Jesuits’ new regional assistant for South Asia.

He replaces Father Lisbert D’Souza, who completes his term this year.

This was announced on March 27 by Arturo Marcelino Sosa Abascal, superior general of the Society of Jesus, the largest Catholic religious congregation for men.

The “Regional Assistants” have responsibility to give advice for a particular geographical territory called an Assistancy. They are also general counselors. In this role, they advise the superior general on matters touching on governance beyond their Assistancies.

South Asia is the largest of seven regional assistancies of the Society of Jesus. It covers countries such as Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The entire governance structure of the Society of Jesus is based on a continuous flow of information and extensive consultations.

Every decision is based on the reports received from local superiors, brother Jesuits, lay collaborators as well as the provincial’s personal knowledge of every Jesuit and apostolate in his province.

Father Mutholil, popularly known as M K George, is the current provincial of Jesuits in Kerala.

He will take up his new post on December 3, the feast of St Francis Xavier, the first Jesuit to enter Asia, and a day before his 67th birthday.

He is a member of Global Ignatian Advocacy Network – for the promotion of human rights. He was a delegate to the Jesuits’ 36 General Congregation in 2016 that elected Father Sosa and their global chief.

Father Mutholil, who holds a doctorate in Education-Interdisciplinary – Sociology from the University of Pune, was born on December 4, 1952, in Palai, Kerala.

He was a faculty member of the Sociology department of Loyola College of Social Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram, from 1989 to 2008, the last four years as its principal.

He was the director of Indian Social Institute, Bengaluru for six year from 2009.

He is a research guide of the University of Kerala and visitor professor at various Institutes across India. He is a trainer of NGO groups, Youth groups, Religious and others. He also edits “Rajagiri Journal of Social Development.”