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Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): The Diocese of Kohima, Catholic church in Nagaland established in 1973, entered its golden jubilee year with the official inauguration held at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral on October 16 by the Bishop of Kohima, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil.
A press release from the Bishop secretariat informed that jubilee year was simultaneously inaugurated in all the parishes and centres of the diocese of Kohima in Nagaland. The inauguration consisted of lighting the jubilee candle, unfurling the jubilee flag, reading the pastoral letter of the Bishop and jubilee prayer.
As per the report, the golden jubilee would be year-long celebrations with a specific theme for every month. It stated that the statue of Mary Help of Christians, who is the patroness of the diocese, would be taken to every parish and center and conduct special prayers and devotion during the year.
The golden jubilee celebration would culminate on October 28 and 29, 2023, where bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful from all over the diocese and outside the diocese including some foreign delegation was expected to attend.
It mentioned that the church today has grown in many ways catering to the needs of the people of Nagaland. It has a Catholic population of 61,905 with 109 diocesan priests, 100 religious priests, 493 religious sisters, 36 parishes, 21 quasi parishes, 106 schools (28 higher secondary schools, 32 high schools, 46 primary and middle schools), 6 colleges (including one B.Ed), 1 university, 1 teacher training institute, 4 vocational training centres, 1 media and publication centre, 1 rehabilitation centre for alcoholics and substance abusers, 1 rehabilitation centre for the differently abled, 2 children homes, 1 Mother Teresa home for the homeless, 1 home for the infected and affected HIV, 1 health centre, 1 holistic health centre, 2 dispensaries, 3+ social work centres, 2 retreat centres and 1 palliative care centre.
As the diocese of Kohima celebrates its golden jubilee, it expressed hope that it would be an occasion for reconciliation, restitution and renewal. It further expressed hope that the occasion would spur the members of the church with missionary zeal and the church to project itself as the ‘Church of the Gospel’ to work for justice and promote peace.