Global – Remembering Fr. Michael Campbell-Johnston SJ, Former Secretary of SJES (1931-2023)
Michael Campbell-Johnston SJ (September 27, 1931 – October 12, 2023), the second Secretary of the Social Apostolate at the General Curia (1975 – 1985) from British Province, said the “last amen of his life and the first alleluia of his eternity” on October 12, in the Corpus Christi Jesuit Community in Boscombe -United Kingdom.
Campbell-Johnston, known as ‘CJ’, took over from Fr. Francisco Ivern as Secretary in 1975. To strengthen the global mission of promoting a faith that does justice, he started an informal news bulletin called “JESEDES” (Jesuit Socio-Economic Development Secretariat) as the Secretariat was known then and later turned the bulletin into Promotio Iustitiae (PI) in 1977. The Secretariat was rechristened from JESEDES to “Social Secretariat SJ Curia” around 1978. He organized the first international meeting of ‘Mission Ouvrière’ (Priest Worker Movement) and the first international Conference of Directors of Social Institutes and Centres in 1980 in Rome.
As Secretary and advisor to Fr. Pedro Arrupe, he was instrumental in establishing the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) as an extension of Social Apostolate on November 14, 1980, and was the first coordinator of JRS. He participated in GC33, which elected Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach as the Superior General in 1983. CJ continued working with Fr. Kolvenbach as Secretary until Fr. Henry Volken from Pune Province replaced him in 1985.
On completing his mission in the Curia, he went to Latin America. He worked in Guyana and El Salvador, especially after the killing of six Jesuits and the housekeeper, along with her daughter. He also served as the Provincial of the British Province for six years and returned to Guyana to continue his justice mission.
We remember this motorbike-riding Jesuit priest, CJ and thank God for his commitment to promoting social justice in the Society of Jesus and his genuine love for the poor and the marginalized.
Read his obituary published by British Province. (Original-London Times)
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