Jesuit priests at the time of their solemn and final profession in the Society of Jesus

Society of Jesus

The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...

 promise: I will never strive or ambition, not even indirectly, to be chosen or promoted to any prelacy or dignity in or outside the Society; and I will do my best never to consent to my election unless I am forced to do so by obedience to him who can order me under penalty of sin (Constitutions S.J., Part X, N°6 [817]).

Yet because of various reasons and in different circumstances—for example, need of a bishop

Bishop

A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...

 in an area where the Church

Roman Catholic Church

The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...

 has still to be developed, recognition of a theologian's outstanting contribution to theological

Theology

Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...

 reflection, etc.—several Jesuits have been made bishops or even cardinals. In such cases they remain only nominally Jesuit, as they lose active and passive voice within the Order and are no longer under the obedience of the Superior General

Superior General of the Society of Jesus

The Superior General of the Society of Jesus is the official title of the leader of the Society of Jesus—the Roman Catholic religious order, also known as the Jesuits. He is generally addressed as Father General. The position carries the nickname of Black Pope, after his simple black priest's...

.

The following is a partial list of contemporary Jesuit cardinal

Cardinal (Catholicism)

A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...

s:

Current Jesuit Cardinals	Date of Birth Current Age	Elevated to Cardinal
Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio   Archbishop of Buenos Aires	December 17, 1936 years, days	February 21, 2001 Pope John Paul II
Julius Riyadi Cardinal Darmaatmadja   Archbishop of Jakarta	December 20, 1934 years, days	November 26, 1994 Pope John Paul II
Ján Chryzostom Cardinal Korec Ján Chryzostom Korec Ján Chryzostom Korec is a Slovakian Jesuit Cardinal and Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Nitra.In his youth Ján Korec was an active Boy Scout....   Bishop Emeritus of Nitra Nitra Nitra is a city in western Slovakia, situated at the foot of Zobor Mountain in the valley of the river Nitra. With a population of about 83,572, it is the fifth largest city in Slovakia. Nitra is also one of the oldest cities in Slovakia and the country's earliest political and cultural center...	January 22, 1924 years, days	June 28, 1991 Pope John Paul II
Carlo Maria Cardinal Martini Carlo Maria Martini Carlo Maria Martini, SJ is an Italian Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was Archbishop of Milan from 1980 to 2002, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1983.-Early life and education:...   Archbishop Emeritus of Milan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milan The Archdiocese of Milan is a metropolitan see of the Catholic Church in Italy. It has long maintained its own rite: the Ambrosian rite. It is led by the Archbishop of Milan who serves as metropolitan to the dioceses of Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Crema, Cremona, Lodi, Mantova, Pavia, and Vigevano.The...	February 15, 1927 years, days	February 2, 1983 Pope John Paul II
Paul Cardinal Shan Kuo-his   Bishop Emeritus of Kaohsiung Kaohsiung Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China...	December 3, 1923 years, days	February 21, 1998 Pope John Paul II
Roberto Cardinal Tucci Roberto Tucci Roberto Tucci, SJ is a Roman Catholic Cardinal and theologian. He was created Cardinal by Pope John Paul II on 21 February 2001....   priest	April 19, 1921 years, days	February 21, 2001 Pope John Paul II
Albert Cardinal Vanhoye Albert Vanhoye Albert Vanhoye is a priest of the Society of Jesus and an exegete. He was created cardinal in 2006. He gave the 2008 Lenten Papal and Curial Retreat.-Formation and studies:...   priest	July 23, 1923 years, days	March 24, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI