Indian Missionary appointed Major Superior of Jesuits in Myanmar

Father Girish Santiago, a Jesuit Missionary (SJ) serving in Myitkyina Diocese, is appointed as Major Superior of Myanmar Jesuit Region.

Father Santiago will move from Myitkyina to Yangon, Myanmar, helping Jesuits and their ministries. He will be working with the Church and Myanmar, holding dialogue with various religions and denominations.

“Though I am transferred to Yangon, I will help you and keep in touch with all of you. This is not a farewell for me. I will continue helping you as much as I can,” said Santiago in his farewell dinner in Myitkyina clergy refectory on March 12.

Father Santiago came to Myitkyina in 2017 to serve as an Associate Director at St. Luke’s college, run by the diocese. He taught three major subjects, Catholic Social Teaching, Creative and Critical Thinking, and Homiletics.

Santiago has helped in writing projects for new college and adoration chapel buildings. He assisted in upgrading the college, providing infrastructure for the staff and students in the office and boarding houses of boys and girls.

Santiago conducted English classes for the poor and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), going to their villages. He reactivated the English and Computer course for the college students and neighborhood children.

He gave spiritual and socio-pastoral help to the diocesan bishop, priests, religious, catechists, and faithful.

Despite being an Indian, he has expertise in Kachin Language. He has published two books: Novena to St. Ignatius and Let’s Learn Kachin (Jinghpaw laika hkaja ga) in Kachin language.

“He is very patient and approachable, and he loves people. Even he could publish a book whose title is: Let’s learn Kachin, though he is from India,” says Father Peter Awng Gam.