Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jun 27: Fr Charles D'Souza SJ, the Mangaluru-origin Jesuit priest who dedicated more than four decades of service to Nagaland and the Northeast, passed away on Friday, June 26. He played a pivotal role in education, pastoral ministry, leadership, and social outreach.
Born on November 20, 1951, in Mangaluru, Fr Charles completed his schooling at St Joseph's School and Padua High School before pursuing his pre-university and BA at the Jesuit-run St Aloysius College. He joined the Society of Jesus at St Paul Novitiate, Belgaum, in 1971.
After completing his novitiate formation, he studied Philosophy at Sacred Heart College, Shembaganur, Tamil Nadu. Inspired by the stories of the pioneer Jesuit missionaries in the Nagaland Mission, he volunteered to serve there and arrived in Nagaland in 1975 as a Jesuit-in-formation for his Regency, a period of practical training in community life and ministry.
Following a year of Regency, he obtained a BEd degree in Bengaluru before returning to Nagaland for another year of Regency. He later studied Theology at Jana Deepa Pontifical Athenaeum, Pune, and was ordained a priest in Mangaluru on April 28, 1981.
Soon after his ordination, Fr Charles was appointed superior, parish priest and headmaster at Loyola, Jakhama, where he served from 1981 to 1986. He then served as superior, assistant parish priest and headmaster at St Paul's, Phesama, from 1986 to 1995.
After 15 years of ministry in the Southern Angami region, he moved to Chizami as superior, parish priest and headmaster of Sacred Heart School. In 1998, he established the first Jesuit mission centre among the Dimasas at Gunjung in Dima Hasao (North Cachar) district. Between 2000 and 2006, he served in Mornai and Mushalpur in Assam.
In 2006, Fr Charles was appointed Regional Superior of the Kohima Jesuit Region, a responsibility he held for six years. He later served as superior, parish priest and headmaster at Pfusero (2012-2014) and again at Gunjung (2014-2017).
Despite battling diabetes and having undergone bypass surgery, Fr Charles continued to carry out his pastoral responsibilities with dedication. From 2017 to 2020, he served as rector of the Loyola Jesuit Community while also serving as parish priest of Mary Help of Christians Parish, Jakhama. From 2021 onwards, he was rector, parish priest and headmaster at St Paul Institutions, Phesama. He was also appointed by the bishop of Kohima as a consulter to the diocese.
Throughout his Jesuit life, Fr Charles was known for his multi-faceted leadership, often simultaneously serving as headmaster, parish priest and superior at various mission centres across the Kohima province.
He was instrumental in founding the All Nagaland Private Schools Association (ANPSA) in the early 1980s and was widely respected for his expertise in teacher training. Above all, he will be remembered for his deep compassion for the poor and his commitment to the care of God's creation.
His life of unwavering service has left an enduring impact on the Church, the field of education, and countless communities across Northeast India.