A process for the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide with sulfur dioxide to produce sulfur which comprises combining the hydrogen sulfide with a one-half molar equivalent of sulfur dioxide and passing the hydrogen sulfide-sulfur dioxide mixture over a ceramic catalyst of the following formula at a temperature between about 100.degree. C. and about 800.degree. C.:w.sub.k X.sub.n J.sub.(l-k-n) ZO (3.+-.m)wherein: W is zirconium, tin or thorium, or a mixture thereof; X is an alkaline earth metal or mixture thereof; J is scandium, yttrium, a rare-earth element or mixture thereof; Z is a metal of the first transition series or a mixture thereof, at least 0.01% of said metal having an oxidation state other than +3; k is a number having a value of between 0 and about 0.01; m is a number having a value of from 0 to about 0.26; and n is a number having a value from 0 to about 0.51, provided when n has a value of 0, k has a value between 0 and about 0.05.