Summary
As a teenager in southern India, Susai Jesu served his local Catholic community by organizing prayer services and helping at Mass. This early dedication to faith later propelled him into a significant role as an archbishop for northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. Prior to this appointment, he was already known for his work with Indigenous communities in northern India and had previously visited Pope Francis during the pontiff’s apology tour of Canada for historical residential school abuses in 2022. Jesu’s new responsibilities include overseeing approximately 49,000 Indigenous Catholics across a vast region larger than Texas. He plans to physically be present with his parishioners by spending time with them at various far-flung parishes and fostering trust through regular pastoral visits. Jesu’s initial priority is building relationships after addressing the historical wounds inflicted by Canada’s residential schools system. Jesu, who was born in Tamil Nadu, India, took inspiration from his mother to become a priest. He first joined the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and was ordained in 2000. His work in northern India helped prepare him for his current role in Canada, where he will be the first Indian-born bishop overseeing dioceses not primarily serving the Indian diaspora. Jesu’s approach to ministry includes learning Indigenous languages and practices, such as Cree, Dene, Oji-Cree, and Tamil. He has also incorporated traditional elements into church services, like a tepee-like altar structure with Indigenous imagery. His background in working with marginalized communities makes him uniquely positioned to support Canada’s Indigenous Catholics after his consecration as an archbishop on January 26, 2023.
Key Topics
Canada, Indigenous Catholics, Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pas
