Giovanni Paolo Oliva

Giovanni Paolo Oliva ( born October 4, 1600 Genoa; † November 26, 1681 in Rome) was the 11th General of the Society of Jesus.

Life

With 16 years Oliva joined the Society of Jesus. After his education he worked for many years as a lecturer in Rome. The highlight of his teaching career was his appointment as rector of the Collegium Germanicum - Hungarian specialty in Rome.

On 7 June 1661, he was appointed Vicar General of the Order, with the right to succession ( vicarius perpetuus cum iure succedendi ) appointed. This meant that Oliva was proclaimed even to the death of Goswin Nickel to the next General of the Order. On July 31, 1664 is what happened as planned.

Oliva worked among the Popes Innocent X, Alexander VII, Clement IX. and Innocent XI. as an apostolic preacher. During his tenure Oliva tried (especially from France) to curb the influence of the Order of the nobility.

In Quietistenstreit everyone praised him as a prudent balancing agent. The confessor of the French king, François d' Aix de Lachaise, he defended himself against Pope Innocent XI.

At the age of 81 years Gian Paolo Oliva died on November 26, 1681 in Rome. His successor was Charles de Noyelle.

Works

• Prediche dette nel Palazzo Apostolico, Rome, 1659-1674 ( 3 vols )