A faithful servant, careful translator, and trusted partner in bringing Scripture to Inuit communities
Jonas (left) with his longtime friend and fellow translator, Bishop Andrew Atagotaaluk
The Canadian Bible Society (CBS) mourns the passing of Canon Jonas Allooloo, Inuk priest, Bible translator, and faithful servant of the Church. We give thanks to God for Jonas’ life and for the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind.
For nearly half a century, CBS had the privilege of working alongside Jonas as he and other Inuit clergy translated the Bible into Inuktitut. This work marked a historic milestone: the first complete Bible in Canada translated by first language speakers of an Indigenous language, rather than by missionaries. It was a long and demanding journey—one that required perseverance, collaboration, and deep faith.
“For many years, Jonas and the other translators would come south and work for weeks at a time out of our offices in Ontario,” said Dr. Jeff Green, VP, Scripture Translation, Canadian Bible Society. “It allowed them to focus on the translation work in a way their busy parish schedules at home simply didn’t allow. During those visits, CBS staff hosted them in their homes, and real friendships were formed.”
CBS published the Inuktitut New Testament in 1996, followed by the complete Inuktitut Bible in 2012—a moment of deep rejoicing for Inuit communities who could now engage the whole of Scripture in their heart language. As Jonas once reflected, people came to him amazed, saying, “Now God speaks my language.”
Even after the completion of the full Bible, Jonas did not step away from the work. Recognizing that language lives and changes, he committed himself to a revision of the translation, ensuring that Scripture would continue to speak clearly and faithfully to future generations.
“Right up until his passing, Jonas was actively working on a revision of the translation,” Jeff said. “He was often in touch with us—checking the meaning of verses, discussing translation options, or receiving technical support. It was clear how deeply committed he remained to this work.”
In 2021, CBS published the revised Inuktitut New Testament, on which Jonas worked closely with his longtime friend and fellow translator, Bishop Andrew Atagotaaluk. At the time of his passing, Jonas had been nearing the completion of the Old Testament revision, a final labour of love reflecting his lifelong devotion to Scripture and to Inuit communities.
Jeff also had the privilege of visiting Jonas in Iqaluit, where they worked together on the revision and set up Jonas’ office at St. Jude’s Cathedral as a recording studio for the revised New Testament.
“I had the pleasure of visiting Jonas in Iqaluit several times as we worked on the revision together,” Jeff shared. “Jonas and his wife Meena were wonderful hosts, generously welcoming us into their community.”
“Jonas was a very careful translator,” Jeff noted. “He was skilled at evaluating the different English Bible versions he worked from and was deeply knowledgeable about Inuktitut dialects. His insight into which words would and would not work in different communities was invaluable.”
Beyond his work as a translator, Jonas had a deep heart for the Church. Ordained in the mid 1970s, he served faithfully in parish ministry and later as Dean of St. Jude’s Cathedral in Iqaluit. Even after retirement, he continued to serve whenever he could.
As the Canadian Bible Society reflects on Jonas’s passing, we do so with gratitude and humility.
On behalf of the Canadian Bible Society, we extend our deepest condolences to Meena, to their children and grandchildren, and to the wider Inuit and Anglican communities who grieve this loss. Jonas’ life and work will continue to bear fruit wherever Scripture is read, heard, and loved in Inuktitut.
Scripture offers this promise:
“Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Put this in writing. From now on, the Lord will bless everyone who has faith in him when they die.’ The Spirit answered, ‘Yes, they will rest from their hard work, and they will be rewarded for what they have done.’”
— Revelation 14:13
