What Happened to the Jesuits?

You are not signed in as a Premium user; you are viewing the free version of this program. Premium users have access to full-length programs with limited commercials and receive a 10% discount in the store! Sign up for only one day for the low cost of $1.99. Click the button below.

See All Plans

Nowadays, when Catholics hear the word "Jesuit," they generally think one of two things: "education" or else "uhhhh" accompanied by a facepalm.

The religious order, called the Society of Jesus, was founded in the mid–16th century by spiritual giant St. Ignatius Loyola. Its members quickly became known for their strict adherence to Catholic teaching and played a big role in the Counter-Reformation following the Council of Trent.

To combat Protestant heresies running rampant throughout Europe, the Jesuits established colleges and universities throughout the world. These universities promoted sacred doctrine as well as the arts and sciences.

Many people know the heroic acts of the Jesuit missionaries such as St. Francis Xavier, St. Edmund Campion, St. Isaac Jogues and a host of others who gave their lives for the salvation of the people they ministered to.

Those glory days are long gone. While they still have a reputation for "education," for the most part it's hardly Catholic education.

American Jesuit universities are known now for sponsoring gay proms, campus housing for so-called LGBT individuals, progressive gender theory, abortion, so-called gay Masses and even the promotion of pagan spirituality.

These are all things the Jesuits of yesteryear fought against, but now they're some of the biggest advocates of these objective moral evils.

Father James Martin, a well-known figure in the revolt from within the ranks on same-sex genital acts, accepts and promotes many things the great Jesuits of the past stood against. While he goes around telling people that homosexuals don't have to be chaste because they haven't "accepted" the Church's teaching, that Catholics should "reverence" same-sex marriage and God created people to be homosexual, he enjoys full support from his Jesuit superiors.

He's been promoting his book which seeks to reassure people living in same-sex relationships that God loves them just the way they are and they aren't called to repentance and conversion.

One need only look at the comments Martin receives by faithful Catholics for his Twitter posts to see there are as many people, if not more, demanding he stick to authentic Church teaching. But, with the blessing of the secular media, his own superiors and even implied consent from Rome, it seems Catholics may have to wait longer for the Jesuits to return to the Catholic Church.

Have a news tip? Submit news to our tip line.

We rely on you to support our news reporting. Please donate today.