VOCATIONS: Fr Suresh Sion: ‘The love of Christ continuing through priesthood’
By Catherine Sheehan
One of Fr Suresh Sion’s favourite quotes regarding the priesthood is from St John Vianney: “The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.”
The Claremont Parish Priest describes the priesthood as “two-dimensional”.
“It is not something we do, or I do, it’s something Christ does through you,” he said.
“It is basically the love of Christ continuing through the work of the priesthood.”
Fr Suresh was born and raised in Tamil Nadu, in southern India, the second eldest in a Catholic family of five children. His father was a builder and farmer, and his mother a full-time homemaker.
At 11 years old he became aware of a calling from God to the priesthood. He was encouraged by his school principal, a religious sister, who told him, “I see in you good signs of a special vocation. If God calls you, don’t ignore that call.”
He became an altar server at age 10 after receiving the sacrament of First Holy Communion and was greatly involved in the life of his local parish, where he received much encouragement and support.
“Every vocation is nurtured by two families,” Fr Suresh said. “One is your own family, the other one is the parish family.”
Fr Suresh describes vocation as “a seed that God plants in your soul”.
“The seed manifests the desire, which is constantly there. You don’t forget about it.… it doesn’t disappear.”
The Priestly Society of St Pius X (FSSPX) was active in his local area, and at the advice of local clergy he joined the Society for seminary studies and priestly formation. He was attracted by their “hardworking” approach and “missionary spirit”.
In 1991, after 18 months of discernment, he began seminary studies in spirituality and philosophy in Australia, and later studied theology in Switzerland.
After completing his studies, he spent a year of pastoral placement in 1998 as a deacon in South Africa, during the post-Apartheid era.
Fr Suresh was ordained on 26 June 1999 in Minnesota, USA, and returned to India to celebrate his first Mass surrounded by family and friends.
After about eight years, Fr Suresh left the FSSPX due to “serious concerns” of a canonical nature, and also regarding ecclesiology.
He sought canonical regularisation from the Vatican after leaving the Society, which he was granted in 2012, giving him permission to join any Catholic diocese around the world.
Fr Suresh said his experience with the FSSPX taught him that “We need both tradition and progress” in the Church.
“Tradition is not an ossified attachment to the past, and progress is not a state of doctrinal flux,” he said.
In 2013 he was accepted into the Diocese of Armidale in New South Wales by Bishop Michale Kennedy, and appointed Assistant Priest in Tamworth.
Fr Suresh arrived in Tasmania in January 2015 and in 2016 was appointed Parish Priest of the Claremont Parish. He was also appointed Chaplain for the Traditional Latin Mass in the Archdiocese.
Fr Suresh said he has been constantly inspired in his priesthood by a line from Pope St Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses.” (EN, 14)
It was important for priests to be both hopeful and joyful witnesses through their ministry, Fr Suresh said.
“We must be filled with hope that the work we do is God’s work. We must sow the seeds of the Gospel generously and joyfully. The harvest is God’s domain. God has chosen me to be a labourer in His vineyard, not mine.”
He describes the priesthood as “the most fulfilling vocation you can say ‘yes’ to”.
“It’s working together with Christ to bring souls to heaven. It’s a great privilege.
“I have my limitations and flaws, but God still uses me as an instrument of His mission to reach out to souls and guide them towards heaven.”
For enquiries regarding vocations to the priesthood please contact Vocations Director, Fr Steven Smith, on 0493 122 283 or at steven.smith@aohtas.org.au