New Appointment
Fr. Jebamalai Irudayaraj Lourdusamy, S.J. (CEN), has been appointed by Fr. Superior General, Arturo Sosa, as Deputy Secretary of the Social Justice and Ecology Secretariat at the General Curia in Rome. Fr. Jebamalai will work alongside the current Secretary, Roberto Jaramillo, S.J., to promote social justice and integral ecology as essential parts of the mission of all the Society of Jesus’ apostolic works.
Fr. Jebamalai Irudayaraj served as the Second Chennai Mission Superior and as the first Provincial of the Jesuit Chennai Province, India. He holds a PhD in Criminology and Master’s degrees in Political Science and Theology. He has engaged in extensive social and pastoral works, with significant contributions to ecological justice. He has authored 22 books and co-authored two in Tamil, and has developed materials to promote social and cultural awareness. As a member and Director of PALMERA, Devakottai, and as the Director of IDEAS, Madurai, he played a leading role in working for the rights of Dalits, tribals, and other marginalized communities.
During his tenure leading the Chennai Mission and Province, he expanded the mission with a pioneering spirit among tribal communities (Irular, Urali), as well as fishing and migrant communities, and strengthened the already existing ministries. He introduced several initiatives to safeguard the values of the Indian Constitution, to empower youth, and to care for our common home. He also served as a member of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission.
Fr. Jebamalai Irudayaraj will begin his new assignment in Rome in the second half of June 2026. Hearty congratulations, along with our prayers and best wishes, for his new mission.
Roberto Jaramillo, S.J.
SJES Secretary, Rome
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