The Jesuits
“I will believe that the white that I see is black if the hierarchical Church so defines it.”
– Ignatius Loyola
Founded in 1534 by Ignatius Loyola
- Received a commendation from Pope Paul III and were allowed to become priests
- The ‘Society of Jesus’ order was then set up in 1540
- Regimini militantis ecclesiae – Papal Bull issued in 1540 recognising their organisation
- Military-style organisation
- Focused on spreading Catholic values through education
- Encouraged obedience to scripture
- Jesuits focused on a high standard of academic study as a way of counteracting low standards within the Church