Missionaries honoured for service

Belgium is recognizing two Oblate priests for their long service to the Inuit of Canada.

Father Jusipi Meeus, who has lived and worked in Nunavik and the Kivalliq region for more than 50 years, and Father Charles Choque, who served with the Oblates in Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet from 1947 to 1974, will become members of the “Knights of the Order of the Crow” on May 30, when Belgium’s ambassador to Canada, Daniel Leroy, awards the priests their medals in Rankin Inlet.

“This decoration has been bestowed upon them because they dedicated their whole priestly lives, or a great part thereof, to the Inuit amid very difficult living conditions,” Leroy said.

Father Meeus is involved with parish work in Rankin Inlet where he celebrated his 50th year of priesthood in February. Father Choque lives in Ottawa where he researches and writes biographies of late missionaries.