Nagaland: Sangtam community gets second Catholic priest

Dimapur, May 6 (EMN): Sangtam community got second Catholic priest after a gap of 20 years. Deacon Thrilongchum Hubert Sangtam was ordained priest by the bishop of Kohima, Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, on May 5 at his native place in Sitimi town at San Jose Church. The first priest to be ordained was Rev. Fr. James Thsipongkiu Sangtam from Phelungre village in the year 2002.

Thrilongchum Hubert Sangtam is the eldest among nine children of Ikuto Sangtam and Hozheli Sangtam. He belongs to the congregation of Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap), an update from Kohima diocese stated.

The ordination was attended by priests from the diocese of Kohima as well as priests from other religious congregations and religious sisters, Catholic Association of Nagaland, Nagaland Catholic Women Association, Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement, delegates from villages and towns of Kiphire region.

In his homily, Rev. Thoppil shared that it is not the bishop who makes the priest but the Almighty God, working through His Holy Spirit, in His Holy Catholic church, which is the body of Christ Jesus. The bishop also thanked his parents, relatives for offering him to God and to the church.

In conclusion, he prayed that the ordination of deacon Thrilongchum be a blessing to the Catholics and non-Catholic communities of Sitimi and to the church in Nagaland.