DIMAPUR — The year-long golden jubilee celebration of Kohima diocese would culminate on October 28 and 29 on the theme “For Christ and His Church.”
An update from the jubilee organising committee stated that bishops from the fifteen diocese of Northeast, few bishops and delegates from outside the region and the country, papal representative, religious superiors of men and women congregation and Catholic faithful from all over Nagaland are expected to take part in the celebration.
At the cultural night-cum-felicitation programme, Nagaland Governor, La. Ganesan, would be the special guest, while Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, would be the special guest of honour. It added that many cabinet members, MLA, government officials, officers from the police and defense forces along with church leaders from all denominations are expected to take part.
Other highlights of the celebration would include concelebrated Eucharistic celebration on both days, Marian procession on Saturday and Eucharistic procession on Sunday in which large number of faithful would participate.
It expressed hope that the jubilee celebration of the diocese of Kohima would rejuvenate the mission of the church entrusted to it by Jesus through his mission command as recorded in the gospels.
It mentioned that the Diocese of Kohima–Imphal was established in 1973 after bifurcating from the diocese of Dibrugarh to look after the Catholic community in the two states of Nagaland and Manipur. Late Bishop Abraham Alangimattahil was made its first bishop. Subsequently in 1980, two separate dioceses were created for Nagaland and Manipur respectively.
It stated that there are over 63000 members today looked after by 57 parishes. The diocese has one university, 5 colleges, 29 higher secondary schools, 32 high schools, 45 elementary and primary schools spread even to the remotest part of the state. It also serves the people of Nagaland through its health centres, dispensaries, palliative care centre, vocational training centres, pastoral training centre, social welfare activities etc.
The church is spread among all the 17 tribes of Nagaland having 76 priests, 226 sisters hailing from Nagaland.
It further mentioned that the golden jubilee celebration is significant since Catholic Church (Diocese of Kohima) is reckoned today as a vital force that touches, influences and shapes the lives of thousands of people in Nagaland. The Church has contributed much on the religious, social, cultural, educational, medical and economic life of the state and becoming a key player and catalyst in the overall development of the state.
Also read: LCKK holds prayer and recollection in preparation for diocese jubilee
