Given the above mention in the
Civilisation Attributes open discussion thread, I’ve got thinking about something to represent the
Jesuits and their colonization role, particularly in the Americas but also in Asia and Africa. As many of you know, they not only gathered, converted and organized the indigenous peoples under one of the Catholic colonial powers (Spain, Portugal and France), but also many of their missions and reductions became or greatly contributed to the growth of important cities such as São Paulo (Brazil), Córdoba (Argentina), Asunción (Paraguay), Quito (Ecuador), Los Angeles, San Francisco (USA), Montréal (Canada) and others. Besides, they established many educational institutions that became important universities and schools. Giving their history, I think it would be great to have them as a special mechanic for Catholic colonial powers, even though we know that the Catholics already have several religion-specific mechanics in the game.
One possibility is to create a building available (with Companies or a contemporary tech) only in colonies for Catholic civilizations called
Jesuitic Mission or something. After building it, it would automatically spread Catholicism and give a culture, production and possibly science bonuses (let's say, + 2

, +2

and + 1

or something) representing the establishment of the colonial rule and the organization of local people around it. This powerful building, however, would expire relatively early (around late 18th and early 19th century, maybe with Representation or Nationalism techs) and obviously would require Catholicism as state religion and possibly some specific Civic. We could use some art assets available in some Civ Colonization mods, who also have specific mechanics for Jesuitic missions.
Another possibility that maybe can be combined with the above is to have the Jesuits as a colonial corporation similarly (and possibly competing) with the regular Trading Company. I’m not sure about which resources it would consume (maybe the same), but it would also spread Catholicism and give similar bonuses as the proposed building.