My dear friends,
On May Day we bring you this issue of INI, dated April–June, 2026, which focuses on two grave issues of the present moment – war and climate emergency.
“A meme which is going viral these days shows a group of animals of different species sitting in a jungle and gazing at the sky. Bombs from planes and drones are shattering buildings. There are fires everywhere and plumes of black smoke are going up. The animals say to each other, “These men have spent billions of dollars to explore life on Mars and are spending trillions for destroying ‘life on earth.” Seated beside these animals are two apparently ‘Martian’ looking creatures. One of them quips, “Humans are really stupid!” That pointed meme says it all!
This is how Cedric Prakash, SJ, begins his article titled, ‘Is War Ever a Solution?’ He points out how Pope Leo and his predecessor, our beloved Pope Francis, kept opposing war. The ‘just war’ theory which the Church accepted once is no longer valid, simply because in today’s world there can be no just war. Every war, today, by its very nature, is unjust, barbaric, and inhuman.
When the situation looks hopeless, we always turn to faith to find hope. This is what Dominic Irudayaraj, SJ’s article offers. “In this situation which looks almost hopeless, what relevance can the Resurrection of Jesus – the foundational mystery of Christian faith -have?” Even before the break of dawn, Jesus broke the rule of darkness and death and rose victoriously. Dominic, therefore, quotes Pope Francis, who said, “May the light of Easter illumine all government leaders and peoples in the Middle East, beginning with Israelis and Palestinians, and spur them to alleviate such great suffering and to pursue a future of peace and stability!” He also quotes V.H. Wright who says that the Risen Jesus calls us to live as people who know that life has defeated death.
A highly interesting feature in this issue of INI is the responses of five Jesuit Scholastics who were asked to respond to a vitally important question: ‘Are you ready for the world you will encounter when you become a priest?’ The question asks them what they need in order to be effective priests – which they will soon be – in the world they will face.
Sch. Jerome Joseph, SJ (PUN), who worked at a tech startup company for about four years before becoming a Jesuit, says, “We need to remember that our passionate love for Christ is central to our effectiveness as Jesuits, and no amount of technological sophistication could ever replace that.” Sch. Nibin Daniel, SJ (CCU) says he would need a spiritual resource – continuous self-examination and two intellectual resources – practical wisdom and intellectual courage and a social resource – combining wisdom with kindness.
Sch. Ronald Kharsohtun, SJ (KHM) lists what he needs to do now to be an effective priest soon: cultivating discernment and upskilling oneself, a comprehensive understanding of oneself, healthy affectivity, and the ability to handle pressure, all of which will foster authentic relationships. Sch. Sam Alexander, SJ (MDU) says he desires the intellectual clarity and rigour of St. Robert Bellarmine and the great Jesuit theologians of the Council of Trent – the missionary zeal of St. Peter Faber and St. Francis Xavier – spirit of dialogue and inculturation, inspired by Matteo Ricci and Beschi. Sch. Vincent Macwan, SJ (GUJ) says what will prepare him for the world that awaits him is the Ignatian principle, known as Tantum Quantum – the ‘insofar as’ that grants us inner freedom. This inner freedom, he says, needs humility, depth and openness to listen.
In his article on ecology, Suresh Antony, SJ says: “With an inspiring history of opting for frontier missions, the Society of Jesus has to confront the harsh realities and challenges of the ecological crisis… Every Jesuit – whatever their ministry may be – is called to be an Eco-Jesuit… Only through a personal and collective transformation we can truly respond to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor and become faithful stewards of God’s creation.”
There are two interesting short stories in this issue – one by an active Jesuit collaborator and the other by a Jesuit Scholastic.
Enjoy reading this issue and ensure you recommend INI to all your friends!
– M.A. Joe Antony, SJ
Editor