Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Sonatan Kisku, aged 56, as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Dumka in Jharkhand, eastern India.
On April 12, 2025, they made the announcement. Fr. Kisku is currently serving as the Vicar General of Dumka and the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church, Dumka.
Fr. Sonatan Kisku was born on May 15, 1969, in the village of Kaudia, under Kalhajor Parish in the Dumka Diocese. He completed his early education at St. Joseph’s High School, Guhiajori. Responding to the call to priesthood, he joined St. Paul’s Minor Seminary in Lucknow in 1991. After three years of initial formation, he went on to study philosophy at Morning Star College, Kolkata (1994–1997), and later theology at the Papal Seminary in Pune (1998–2001).
He also completed a year of regency at Kissanjganj, now part of the Diocese of Purnea. On April 15, 2002, he received his priestly ordination.
Fr. Kisku traveled to Rome in 2004 to further his studies in canon law. He earned his Licentiate in Canon Law in 2007 and returned to serve his diocese in various capacities. In the same year, the Diocesan Vocation Center appointed him as Director of Candidates.
From 2008 to 2013, he served as Diocesan Treasurer, Chancellor, and Minister at the Bishop’s House. From 2012 to 2014, he held the position of Father-in-charge at Gopikandor.
Since 2013, he has guided and accompanied the junior clergy of the diocese. He has been responsible for the treatment of ailing and elderly priests since 2014. Since 2008, he has also managed legal and diocesan land issues. He served as the director of the Diocesan Social Development Center from 2015 to 2023. He has been the Secretary of St. Joseph’s School, Jarmundi, since 2015 and continues to support the diocese in legal and pastoral matters. - Stephen Alathara
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