Tribe Rising India would like to congratulate Fr. James Arjen Tete, S.J., who has been appointed the new Provincial of the Calcutta Province. Fr. Arjen Tete was born in June 1967 and entered the Society of Jesus 20 years later. He was ordained a priest in 2003 and pronounced his final vows in 2018. 

Fr. Arjen Tete holds a B.A. (Sanskrit), Sanskrit College, Calcutta University (1991-1994); a Master’s in Anthropology from the University of Pune (1997-1999); M.Th. from Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, USA (2006-2008) and a Doctorate from Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, USA (2011-2015).

He has served as Director of Pre-Novitiate, Arunoday, Barasat (2003-2006); Minister and Teacher in Parasmani Regional Theologate, Santiniketan (2008-2011); Lecturer and Reader in Theology at Jnana Deepa, Pune (2015-2021) and Conference Secretary for Integral Formation (2021 – August, 2023) at Delhi. He attended the recently concluded Procurators Congregation in Spain as the elected Procurator from Calcutta Province.

Fr Arjen Tete’s education and experience, as well as his connection to the Bay Area, will be excellent compliments to the province’s commitment to expand educational opportunities for Santal students. “I am committed to collaborating and networking with partners like Tribe Rising India, to enhance the province’s mission of reconciliation and justice towards the indigenous Santal students, who constantly suffer social discrimination,” he said. “Educating for justice is part of Jesuit educational hallmark.” We look forward to meeting Fr Arjen Tete next February and continuing to work with the Calcutta Province on behalf of the Santal tribe.

Tribe Rising India would also like to thank Fr Raphael Hyde for taking a chance on us and acting in full generosity of spirit in this partnership. Without his leadership and support, St. Xavier’s Gurap would not be on the cusp of welcoming its first high school class! We wish Fr. Raphael Hyde a good and restful break and joy in his next assignment.