Leo XIV Appoints Canadian Archbishop Known for Indigenous-Rite Eucharists – "Burning Sage"
Born in Pushpavanam, Tamil Nadu, India, in May 1971, he joined the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and was ordained a priest on 27 July 2000. Fr Susai Jesu has worked among the indigenous peoples in the Archdiocese of Edmonton in Canada.
Commitment to Indigenous Paganism
Fr. Susai Jesu has run his parish, the Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples in Edmonton, as a hotspot for pagan rituals.
Each Sunday, a Mass incorporating Indigenous rites is held, including 'sage burning' and Indigenous drumming (see videos from the parish below).
Academically, sage burning, or 'smudging', has been described as an 'ancient pagan sacramental', but more bluntly it is a formal act of superstition, or, if performed inside a church, blasphemy.
Earning a Sacred Eagle Feather
In November 2018, an Eagle-Feather Honouring Ceremony was held for Fr Susai Jesu in the indigenous community of his parish to recognise his work in indigenous ministry (see picture above).
During the ceremony, the elders processed and the feather was wrapped in red cloth and placed on the altar for the entire Eucharist. Two additional feathers were tied to a newly donated indigenous-style altar cloth.
The eagle feather is highly revered in Indigenous culture, symbolising high honour, trust and wisdom. It is believed that eagles have a connection with the divine and the Great Spirit.
Demonising Residential Schools
In June 2021, Fr. Susai Jesu was among those who promoted the narrative of unmarked graves at former residential school sites, such as Kamloops, presenting them as a source of deep 'hurt, grief, and anger' for Indigenous peoples.
In reality, however, no bodies were found, only soil disturbances, stones, and wood.
Fr. Susai Jesu demonised the schools, stating: "We feel deep sadness and shame at how some of our Church ancestors became agents who implemented government policies that traumatised and wounded Indigenous culture, communities and families."
Involvement in the 2022 Papal Visit
In late March 2022, Father Susai Jesu travelled to Rome with a delegation from Canada. He placed an orange stole on Pope Francis.
The stole's symbolic meaning was connected to the hurt, reconciliation, and peace of residential-school survivors.
He also asked the Pope to visit his parish and bless the rebuilt church.
Pope Francis visited the parish Sacred Heart in July 2022 during his tour of Canada.
Shining Pagan Light, "still" Catholic
At that time, Indigenous elder Fernie Marty observed that people from across the country were coming to Sacred Heart: "They want to experience smudging and praying in a completely different way. We’re still practising the Catholic faith. It’s a combination of both worlds."
Fr. Susai Jesu told Vatican News that his parish aims "to keep the shining light" of the Indigenous peoples and help them "see their own light".
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