Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ has named Fr Erik John J Gerilla SJ as the new Regional Superior for the Jesuits in Timor-Leste. Fr Gerilla succeeds Fr Joaquim Francisco da Silva Sarmento SJ who has served in the role since 2017.
Born in 1977 in Davao City, Philippines, Fr Gerilla pursued higher education at Ateneo de Davao University, where he earned a Bachelor of Accountancy degree in 1998. The call of his vocation led him to the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches, Quezon City, where he completed his novitiate training from 2003 to 2005.
He pursued master’s studies in Philosophy at Ateneo de Manila University from 2006 to 2008 and was subsequently missioned to Timor-Leste at the Colegio de São José in Dili for Regency from 2008 to 2010. He returned to the Philippines to continue his theological studies, completing both his Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Loyola School of Theology and a Master in Theological Studies from Ateneo de Manila University in 2014.
He was ordained as a deacon at the Church of the Gesù, Ateneo de Manila, by Most Rev Honesto F Ongtioco DD on 14 September 2013. The following year, on 12 April 2014, he was ordained as a priest by His Eminence Luis Antonio G Cardinal Tagle DD STD, then Archbishop of Manila.
Since then, Fr Gerilla has spent his years in Timor-Leste, immersed in various ministries and embodying the Jesuit spirit of service and availability to the mission. He served as the Director of Jesuit Social Service-Timor-Leste from 2014 to 2017, before becoming the region’s Treasurer and Development Officer in 2017. Currently, he serves as the Parish Priest of Paroquia Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Fátima in Railaco, a role he has held since 2020.
Fr Gerilla’s appointment as the new Major Superior of Timor-Leste is met with anticipation and enthusiasm by the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific (JCAP). His experience and dedication to the people of Timor-Leste are expected to bring fresh insights and guidance to this vital role.
“He will contribute greatly not only to the region but also to the conference with his passion for the mission, his care for the poor, and his love for the Church and the Society, which is founded on his relationship with the Lord,” said JCAP President Fr Tony Moreno SJ. He thanked Fr Gerilla for taking on this new role and Fr Sarmento for his leadership in the last six years.
Fr Gerilla will begin his new mission on 3 January 2024.
