This week in Christian history: Peter Cartwright dies, papal infallibility challenged

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, September 24, 2023

Jesuits creation approved – Sept. 27, 1540

Saint Ignatius of Loyola | Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when the Society of Jesus, an influential Catholic order often known as the Jesuits, was granted official recognition via a papal bull from Pope Paul III.

The edict, known as Regimini militantis Ecclesiae or “To the Government of the Church Militant” in English, officially established the order, which would go on to found numerous colleges, schools, and mission outposts.

“We also receive the members under our protection and that of this Holy See, and grant to them in addition that they may freely and licitly institute the particular constitutions among them which they have judged to be suited to the end of this Society, and to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the benefit of our neighbor,” stated the bull, in part.

“It is therefore not allowed to any human being whomsoever to violate this document of our approbation, confirmation, benediction, reinforcement, acceptance, concession, and will, or to oppose it in thoughtless rashness. Those who presume to attempt this should know that they will incur the displeasure of almighty God and of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul.”