News & Events
NE Regional Secretaries Meet to Evaluate the Contribution to the Society
Guwahati, 9 April 2021: The Secretaries of the various departments of the Church in North East Region came together to evaluate their contribution to the society in Covid context over a two-day meeting held at the Regional Secretariat Building, Guwahati on 8 and 9 April 2021. “It is a historical meeting as we meet together for the first time as regional secretaries of various commissions of the Church in our region”, said Archbishop John Moolachira, the President of the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC). Introducing the purpose of the meeting, the Archbishop said, “The Church has been at the forefront of development of the people. It has always worked for their progress, safeguarding their rights and preservation of their culture. This meeting is to take stock and to evaluate what we have done for the people and the society and to take appropriate measures to serve the people even better.” Presenting the report, Father Varghese Velickakam, the Director Social Forum highlighted its contribution to the people especially during the locked down caused by the pandemic covid19. “The Church in every state of North East has always rendered a yeoman service to the society and it was visible during the lock down as it led its relief efforts to reach out to the last, the least and the lost”, he said. Dr. Thomas Manjaly, the first Deputy Secretary of NEIRBC, addressed the 23 regional secretaries present for the meeting and gave a brief historical background to the formation of various regional commissions. Speaking on behalf of the Legal Wing of the Church in the region, Father Owen Chourappa highlighted the need for extra vigilance in the present day atmosphere of hate and polarisation. “It is important to have proper documentation and total legal compliance to avoid all legal complications in future”, he advised. Father Kuriakose, the Rector of Oriens Theological College, the north east regional major seminary, focussed on the need for forming the future leaders of the Church with an awareness of the importance of promoting and protecting the environment. “To help the Seminarians understand the importance of water, we are planning to start ‘a bucket of water a day’ scheme where a seminarian will be provided just bucket of water to manage the whole day”, said Father Kuriakose, who is also the regional secretary for Vocation and Formation of Priests and Religious. Speaking on behalf of the Prison Ministry, Sister Jobina UFS said their intervention and regular visits to the inmates of the prison has had huge positive results. “Our visits to the prisons across the region, prayer meetings, cultural programmes and competitions to mark important days of the years have effected lasting positive changes to the lives of many of the inmates. We also celebrated International Women’s Day with the women inmates of the Central Prison in Guwahati this year”, said the Ursuline Sister. All the regional commission secretaries presented their report of the work they have done for the people throughout the year especially in the context of covid19. Father Vincent Carmel presented a report on the Regional Social Communication department, Father Sabu Joseph Chenackal on Catechetical Commission, Father Athnas Kerketta on Canon Law and Legislative Texts, Father K. C. George spoke on the Health Commission , Sister Esco on the concerns of the...
read moreWorld Health Day marked with Inauguration of Dental Care Unit in Miao Diocese
Injan, 8 April 2021: The World Health Day (WHD) was marked with the inauguration of a modern dental care unit at the church-run Krick and Bourry (KBM) Memorial Hospital, Injan in Changalang District, Arunachal Pradesh on 7 April 2021. “Proper health care is big concern in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in Changlang district”, said Somlung Mossang, MLA of Borduma-Diyun Constituency”. Inaugurating the facility, he said, “People often are compelled to travel to the towns in Assam for their basic medical treatments. Due to the long journey undertaken many have lost their lives on the way to the hospital. It also results in huge expense of money.” The dental care unit was inaugurated to mark the World Health Day 2021. With this dental care wing in KBM hospital, the simple and agrarian people of nearby areas like Miao, Jairampur, Nampong, Manmao, Bordumsa, Diyun, Nampahi, Balinong and Kharsang can now avail hassle-free and affordable round the clock dental treatment, saving both money and time, said Mr. Mossang. The KBM hospital was established in the year 2016 as a response to the people’s request for a better health care facility within Arunachal Pradesh. Speaking on the occasion, the patron and founder of the hospital Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao Diocese congratulated the Doctors and the Community of Sacred Heart Sisters of Pala Province, Kerala and the nurses at the hospital for their dedicated healthcare service to the people. Echoing the theme of WHD 2021, Bishop George said, the dental care unit will now make this hospital serve the people around even better to help build a ‘fairer and healthier world’. The inauguration event was attended by the Sub Divisional Officer of Kharsang, Rakesh Kumar Rai, Zilla Panchayat Member, Chomjung Haidley, Dental Surgeon Shradha Ginodiya and visiting Doctors Rohit Pasari and Munmoon Debnath and a few local public leaders from around the town. The KBM Hospital is the only church-run hospital in the State, with a Gynecologist and Pediatrician and few visiting doctors from Assam. The 20-bedded hospital has all the medical facilities like, digital X-Ray, Ultrasound, computerised laboratory, ECG, pharmacy, Emergency Care Unit and round the clock ambulance service, and now a modern dentistry. The hospital has a well-equipped Operation Theatre. Due to the lack of anesthetist, the hospital is not able to perform surgery and often patients are referred to hospitals in Assam. Oftentimes, the long distance between the hospitals causes fatal medical complications. The hospital management hereby appeals to all its kind friends to help them with an anesthetist to help them serve the people in the remote corner of Arunachal Pradesh even...
read moreHappy Easter
Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly risen. Alleluia Alleluia Alleluia ! Thirty years of quiet life, three years of active public life,Two days of intense suffering, three days of silence in the graveFollowed by the resurrection, entry into life eternal, end to suffering and death, assurance that evil will be defeated, sin will be conquered, sufferings will end, that the light of the Lord will shine one day for you, me and for the whole universe and that the Spirit of the Lord will renew the earth. Thanking you for all that you are and you do and Assuring you of my prayers and requesting your prayers+George Pallipparambil SDB Bishop of Miao Diocese The Diocese of Miao wishes all its friends a Grace Filled Easter. May the peace and joy of the Risen Lord be with you...
read moreRoadside Grotto Dedication marks the Year of St. Joseph in Miao Diocese
Namchik, 20 March 2021: A roadside grotto was blessed and dedicated to St. Joseph to mark Year of St. Joseph in Arunachal Pradesh’s Miao Diocese on 20 March 2021. “I am very happy to bless this grotto and dedicate it to the Year of St. Joseph”, said Bishop George Pallipparambil sdb of Miao Diocese. “This may be the first of its kind in India to mark the Year of St. Joseph”, he said at a small blessing ceremony at the Namchik-Balinong junction in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The grotto is located at a prominent junction. The roads crossing the junction lead to Bordumsa, Jairampur and Miao Subdivisions of Arunachal Pradesh, Jagun and Tinsukia in Assam and to Pangsau Pass in Myanmar. “This Grotto is not only going to be a landmark but an import prayer-point for the people travelling through these roads”, said Bishop George. The people of Kharsang, a small township under Miao sub-division, responded to Pope Francis’ call to reflect on the silent role of St. Joseph this year with this grotto. The grotto is the result of collective efforts of the people. Senseng Jugli, a local businessman donated the land and Chumkam Thungkhang, a well-wisher of Miao Diocese, offered the help with construction and Dr. Betty Joseph of Krick and Bourry Hospital, Injan gifted the statue. “This indeed is a happy moment for all of us. With this grotto we are able to participate in the universal celebration of the Year of St. Joseph from the last corner of India”, said Chophasey Lisu, a public leader from Kharsang town. The youth and women religious gathered for the blessing led the prayers with St. Joseph’s Rosary, Litany of St. Joseph and with the Year of St. Joseph Prayer. The diocese of Miao has planned a series of animation, retreats, pilgrimage and seminars to mark the Year of St. Joseph. This roadside grotto is the first in that...
read moreFire Renders Two Dead and Hundreds Homeless in Miao Diocese
Lazu, 19 March 2021: A massive fire accident has rendered at least two people dead and hundreds homeless in Longliang village of Tirap district in Arunachal Pradesh on 18 March 2021. In a heartbreaking incident, 114 houses of the total 136 houses in one of the last villages of the State bordering Myanmar have been reduced to ashes due to an accidental fire that lasted for nearly two hours. The fire has left at least two people dead and more than 500 people homeless. The two victims have been identified as a bedridden 65-year old man and a four year-old girl child who could not run in time to escape the inferno. The charred images of the two are heart wrenching. There is fear that more causalities may emerge once the people are able to rumble through the ashes and debris. Longliang, a small Ollo Tribal village under Lazu circle, is some 45 KMs from Khonsa, the district headquarters. Narrating the massive fire accident, Sethok Thinyan, a youth leader from Lazu said that this was biggest fire accident he witnessed in his life. “All the houses are made of bamboos with thatched roofs and are built adjacent to one another. A small spark aided by the usual strong wind can spell a doom for the whole village. The fire tender too could not arrive due to the remoteness of the village. The fire has also taken away the food grains saved for the rest of the year”, said the youth leader. The fire victims are now staying with the families the fire left intact. They now need basic amenities like utensils, tents for making temporary accommodations, food and clothing. Expressing shock, Bishop George Pallipparambil sdb of Miao Diocese has appealed to the people to pray for the victims and to express solidarity with them during this time extreme pain. “My thoughts are with the people of Longliang. I am deeply saddened to know the magnitude of the loss and pain the fire has caused. I appeal to everyone to come forward to help the people of Longliang in whatever way you can”, he said. Bishop George has also pressed in Seva Kendra Arunachal East, the diocesan social service wing, to help the people with immediate relief materials. He has also requested the Priests and Women Religious working around Lazu circle to provide the people with whatever they could do support the people. The cause of the fire could not be ascertained...
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