New provincial for Jesuits in English Canada

TORONTO — Rev. Adolfo Nicolás, SJ, the Superior General of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), has appointed the Rev. Dr. Peter Bisson, SJ, as the Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in English Canada.

Bisson was serving as socius (assistant) to the provincial and acting provincial when the appointment was announced. He succeeds Rev. Jim Webb, SJ, whose ill health precipitated the change in leadership.
Bisson’s diverse work in ministry has included: university chaplaincy, street gang ministry and refugee advocacy. From 2008-2010, Bisson served as the director of the Toronto-based Jesuit Forum for Social Faith and Justice. He was an elected delegate to the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus, in Rome in 2008. This worldwide assembly of Jesuits meets, among other things, to choose a successor to the leader of the Jesuit order, the Superior General.

Bisson, 54, is a native of Edmunston, NB, and entered the Society of Jesus at 26 after receiving a BA from McGill University. He has a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, a master of theology and Licence in Sacred Theology from Regis College, the Jesuit Faculty in the Toronto School of Theology, affiliated with the University of Toronto. His master of divinity and bachelor of sacred theology are also from Regis College. His master of arts in philosophy is from Loyola University of Chicago, while his master of arts in religion is from Columbia University in New York. He speaks English, French, Italian and Spanish.

The Jesuits, an order of priests and brothers in the Roman Catholic Church, have worked in Canada for about 400 years. They have responsibility for the direction of schools, colleges, parishes, retreat houses and social justice ministries that span the country from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Vancouver. There are currently 154 Jesuits in English Canada.