Religion: Polar Priest

Journeying northward last week was Father Thomas Griffin of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. His destination was the northernmost parish of the North Pole diocese, situated in Canada's vast north-west territory. In that diocese are at least half of the 14,000 Eskimos on the North American continent, care of whom the Catholic Church delegated to the Oblates in 1864. However not until 1911 did they commence their active missionary work. It took them six years to convert a single Eskimo. Then they got four families.

A strenuous athlete, hunter and fisherman is Father Griffin,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!