Jesuit priests at the time of their solemn and final profession in the Society of Jesus 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 in an area where the Church has still to be developed, recognition of a theologian's outstanting contribution to theological 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.
The following is a partial list of contemporary Jesuit cardinals:
| Current Jesuit Cardinals | Date of Birth Current Age |
Elevated to Cardinal |
|---|---|---|
| Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio Archbishop of Buenos Aires |
December 17, 1936 75 years, 81 days |
February 21, 2001 Pope John Paul II |
| Julius Riyadi Cardinal Darmaatmadja Archbishop of Jakarta |
December 20, 1934 77 years, 79 days |
November 26, 1994 Pope John Paul II |
| Ján Chryzostom Cardinal Korec Bishop Emeritus of Nitra |
January 22, 1924 88 years, 46 days |
June 28, 1991 Pope John Paul II |
| Carlo Maria Cardinal Martini Archbishop Emeritus of Milan |
February 15, 1927 85 years, 22 days |
February 2, 1983 Pope John Paul II |
| Paul Cardinal Shan Kuo-his Bishop Emeritus of Kaohsiung |
December 3, 1923 88 years, 96 days |
February 21, 1998 Pope John Paul II |
| Roberto Cardinal Tucci priest |
April 19, 1921 90 years, 324 days |
February 21, 2001 Pope John Paul II |
| Albert Cardinal Vanhoye priest |
July 23, 1923 88 years, 229 days |
March 24, 2006 Pope Benedict XVI |