North East Catholic Research Forum

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Grand Parents Rejoice

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Though a creature of the day, I am not particularly enthused by various “Days” like Father’s, Mother’s, Doctor’s, Constipation etc. I suspect that in the era of greeting cards (now extinct) they were invented by manufacturers like Archies, to promote thei.....

Sexual Abuse through Social Media

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

A few days ago, one of my friends shared with me some sad news. His college-going daughter was found to have had severe depression for almost a week. During the counseling, she revealed that she was being blackmailed by her classmate. She had posted her f.....

John Yesong: Tuensang’s First Catechist

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang |

John Yesong, the first Catechist from Tuensang

John Yesong: Tuensang’s First Catechist. John Yesong was born on May 1, 1949, at Phelungre Village. He was born to very humble, non-Christian parents, Lt. Mr. Yutsalo and Lt. Mrs. Kiuthsangchi. At the young age of ten, he and his younger brother, Moses T.....

Four, Five and Eleven

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

This is obviously not a mathematical equation. Let me tell you why I chose these random numbers. The number Four reminded me about the Readers’ Digest. It invariably carried a feature, “Drama in Real Life”; of how human beings endured and overcame insurmo.....

Extending Education Service to the Far Flung

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

Extending Education Service to the Far Flung I had an opportunity to conduct training for teachers in St. Peter’s English Medium School, Barikhajuri (Garhwa district), St. Claret School, Barwadih (Latehar district) and Deepti Niketan School, Nawadih (P.....

Holy See: Cardinal Zuppi in Moscow to open paths of peace

Current Updates | Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

The meeting in Moscow between Zuppi and Patriach Kirill

In a communiqué issued on Friday, the Holy See described the visit to Moscow from 28 to 30 June by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Holy Father's Envoy, as a visit aimed at “identifying humanitarian initiatives that could open up paths to achieving peace”. It .....

Religiosity Versus Spirituality

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

Religiosity Versus Spirituality A few days ago, I read a news report about four nuns of a religious congregation taking their final vows. The report mentioned that these nuns were trained by a priest on “deep spirituality” as per the bishop who celebra.....

The Blame Game Continues

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

The Blame Game Continues A highly respected and erudite clergyman from Kerala sends me his articles. Of late he has made three claims: 1. The Jews killed Jesus 2. Priests have always manipulated people to commit violent acts, justified in the nam.....

Many Faces of Child abuse

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

Many Faces of Child abuse A few days ago, I was traveling by a taxi in Bengaluru. At a major traffic signal, I noticed a middle-aged woman on the footpath carrying a young baby on her shoulder. The child was quiet. As soon as there was red signal, all .....

Children in times of violence

Opinion | Articles | Felix Jajo |

Children in times of violence “If there is no more war, then I want to go to Imphal”, responded my seven year old son, when my wife asked him, if they should go back to Imphal. Due to the unprecedented violence that erupted in Manipur on 3rd May, 2023,.....

Safety of women in India

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

“In our country every woman has to struggle to survive”, said a woman at Jantar Mantar. She further said to a press reporter, “Today women in our country are not safe. If the medal winning women wrestlers are sexually abused, then, what about other common.....

Ntheo Louis Yanthan: A Pastor, a Catechist and a Pioneer Catholic

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang |

Lt. Catechist Ntheo Louis Yanthan of Lakhuti Village was a Baptist Pastor, who later embraced Catholic Faith and became one of the longest serving Catechist in the Diocese of Kohima, Nagaland. He served as a Baptist Pastor and Catholic Catechist for 35 (t.....

Silent Slaves

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

Last week an NGO Director in Tamil Nadu sent me a news clipping. It said that in just one-day three young girls were missing in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. The report mentions about the network of human traffickers, including bus drivers and co.....

Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave’s open letter to Prime Minister Modi

Current Updates | Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave’s open letter to Prime Minister Modi Dear Prime Minister, These path-breaking messages have rightly been described by you, Sir, as inspirations and not merely slogans. You have described this broadly as Secularism in action.....

Editorial

How serious are educational Institutions about the mental health of young people?

During the monsoon session of the Parliament in July 2025, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar informed the house that student suicide cases accounted for 7.6 per cent of all suicide cases reported across India in 2022, showing a slight.....

Religious Persecutions in the Land of Vivekananda and Gandhi

The dictionary meaning of ‘persecution’ reads as ‘unfair or cruel treatment based on race, religion, or political belief’. Therefore, persecution can occur through racial discrimination or political exploitation and is not necessarily limited to the relig.....

From a Murderer to a Pilgrim of Faith

Prior to June 27, 2025, not many people in this country and elsewhere would have heard of Chengu@Sudharsan@Chandu Hansda, who at the age of 13 turned into a murderer when he joined the mob that brutally burnt alive an Australian missionary, Graham Stewart.....

Ominous Signs and the Catholic response

India is a country that boasts staggering diversity—a colourful mix few in the world have the privilege of sharing. Since independence and the enactment of the constitution, freedom, liberty, and equality before the law has always been our treasured right.....

The New Pope and His Message

This time, 1.39 billion Catholics across the globe were fortunate to see the white smoke come out of the Sistine Chapel chimney on the second day as Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected by the cardinal conclave in the fourth round of voting, one less than .....

The Pope didn’t Sulk or Shun

The Vatican News released a video of Pope Francis extending Easter greetings to a multitude of people at St. Peter’s Square in Rome, which was one day before his final journey to the eternal world. A close look at that video reveals that the Holy Father w.....

The CBCI blinks yet again

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), regarded as a father figure by an estimated 23 million Catholics in this country, has yet again shown lack of wisdom while taking decision on crucial matters. While the organization may like to downplay som.....

Persecution as an Opportunity

The history of the church is replete with stories of persecution; the crucifixion of Christ itself being the greatest of all. Rome, where the Vatican, the supreme seat of the Pontiff, stands today, in fact was one of the foremost places where Christian pe.....

Weaving a Christian Relationship

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, in his book, Toward A True Kinship of Faith, wrote, “I have boundless respect for my Buddhist faith, but to see it within the context of its brother and sister religions has afforded me a vision of the grandeur and exten.....

We hope the Church Hierarchy is listening

According to the media report, the son of a pastor, Ramesh Baghel, has been prevented from burying the dead body of his late father in the village cemetery because some Hindutva activists from his village did not allow the burial to take place. He appeale.....

The Twin Pillars of the Catholic Church

Dealing with the differences between the laity and clergy, the two pillars of the church, is a perpetual problem for the Catholic Church. Though the problem is real and sometimes threatens to tear apart the cohesiveness of the synodal church, it has alway.....

It is time Christians learn to read things between the lines

The recent statement from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, proposing a regulatory body to oversee church properties akin to temple boards and waqf boards for Hindus and Muslims, undoubtedly raises concerns. However, given the number of controve.....

Previous Articles

Catholics of Zhavame: Faith triumphed over persecution

Opinion | People's Edit | Team NECARF

This poignantly touching story of grit and determination shown by the early Catholics of Zhavame village in Nagland, was carried in the publication of the 9th Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement Convention. We picked not because it tells stories of persecuti.....

Pope Francis says he is frightened by escalation in war

Current Updates | Editorial Pick | Editorial team

In an interview on an Italian TV program, Pope Francis laments the risk of escalation in war, says he has no plans to resign, announces Apostolic Journeys to Polynesia and to Argentina, and reflects on ‘Fiducia supplicans’, saying “the Lord blesses everyo.....

Contribution of Christian Missionaries to the Linguistic and Ethnic Identity of the People of Northeast India through the Bible

Opinion | Articles | George Plathottam

Contribution of Christian Missionaries to the Linguistic and Ethnic Identity of the People of Northeast India through the Bible Introduction: The paper examines the contribution of the pioneer Christian missionaries who through the Bible provided.....

The Holy Eucharist is Central to the Catholic Faith

Opinion | People's Edit | G.L. Khing

One of the most fundamental teachings and practices of the Catholic Church is the Holy Eucharist. The Church derives its life from the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the “source and summit” of the Catholic faith because it is the sacrament in which Jesus giv.....

Justice for women religious in the Catholic Church

Opinion | Articles | Virginia Saldanha

The message of Pope Francis on the day of Consecrated Life has heartened a number of women religious in India. It is based on his prayer intention for the month of February: “Let us pray for religious sisters and consecrated women, thanking them for their.....

St. Xavier’s University all set to be established in Meghalaya

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

With the approval of the St Xavier’s University Bill, 2020 by the Cabinet of Meghalaya Government on November 5, 2020, the Jesuits are all set to establish a University in the state of Meghalaya. The St. Xavier’s University, which would be managed by the .....

Resisting a loss of Image Dialectics

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao

A felt sense of loss is increasing everywhere. We can see it in the Brexit or even in the recent mob invasion of the capitol building in USA. The farmers in India are profoundly haunted by the fear that they will be pushed in deep loss in the face of the.....

NECARF Member Takes Charge as India's Ambassador to Ethiopia

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

Robert Shetkintong, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer of 2001 batch, has been appointed India's Ambassador to the Republic of Ethiopia, as per official communiqué issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on August 18, 2020. He is presently p.....

The Trinity is not a Mystery

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

This paper has an audacious title, considering the oft repeated experience of St Augustine on the seashore, and bearing in mind that our present Pope Leo is a follower of that same spirituality. To refresh one’s memory, St Augustine of Hippo was walkin.....

Brief History of Moyon Women Organization (BSR) in Manipur

Opinion | Articles | Penny Rose Chinir

Brief History of Moyon Women Organization (BSR) in Manipur The Moyon tribe is one of the thirty-three recognised STs of Manipur enlisted in 1956. They belong to the Indo-Mongoloid group of races and speak the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan gro.....

Holistic Education for Peace in Northeast India

Opinion | Articles | Paul Lelen Haokip

Northeast India boasts of rich biodiversity, but peace is still a longing. Insurgency, inter-tribal hostilities, boundary disputes, and trust deficits abound galore. Inhabitants of these eight states of India are vulnerable to media influence, political p.....

Opinion

How serious are educational Institutions about the mental health of young people?

Editorial | John S. Shilshi |

During the monsoon session of the Parliament in July 2025, Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar informed the house that student suicide cases accounted for 7.6 per cent of all suicide cases reported across India in 2022, showing a slight.....

Why Do Catholic Priests become Fanatics?

Articles | M L Satyan |

Prior to second Vatican Council the Catholic Church believed that all those who belong to other religions will not get salvation. The second Vatican Council changed this fundamentalist view. Respect for other religions, inter-religious dialogue and incult.....

WHERE IS GOD?

Articles | Chhotebhai |

WHERE IS GOD? Those watching TV on 27th August evening would have been jolted by two tragic events. The first was of hundreds of pilgrims washed away in flash floods/ landslides in the Jammu region. The second instant was of two young girls shot dead w.....

Youth- A Time to Focus.

Articles | Capt. Eddie Viegas |

In our Solar system, the largest body is the Sun. It has a diameter of 1,392,000 Km.i.e. it is 109.3 times the size of the Earth. It has an effective temperature of 5,740º K. enough to melt the hardest materials several times. Yet Life on Earth survives .....

Fourth Largest Economy in the world v/s Infrastructure and Citizen’ Happiness

Articles | Basil A. D'Cunha |

Fourth Largest Economy in the world v/s Infrastructure and Citizen’ happiness Our Honorable Prime Minister has stated that in the current year 2025, India stands as the world’s fourth-largest economy in the world. It places us behind only the United.....

A Tribute to Lt. Rev Sr. Toms Maria SABS (1947–2025)

Articles | Benjamin Chang |

Rev Sr. Toms Maria with Rev Fr Benjamin Chang and others

“Well done, good and faithful servants… enter into the joy of your Master.” – (Mt. 25:23) The Diocese of Kohima mourns the passing of Rev. Sr. Toms Maria SABS, who was called to her eternal reward on 15th August 2025, at the age of 78. A member of the .....

Current Updates

North East Catholic Community of Delhi puts up a Glittering show

NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Mr Lalduhoma and Archbishop Anil J T Couto, with other dignataries

The North East Catholic Committee of Delhi (NECCOD) accorded a warm welcome to their new members who had joined them in the Delhi NCR region with spiritual and a social gathering worthy of the colours mix of the region they come from. This was the 33rd oc.....

NEIRBC Gets a new Education Commission Team

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Guwahati, June 25, 2025 – The Northeast Bishops Council’s Commission for Education has appointed a new leadership team, with Fr. Dr. Paul Pudussery, a Holy Cross priest, taking the helm. This transition marks the third leadership handover since the commis.....

Francis’s Bottle Craft: Miniature Homes in Glasses

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

The Miniature Artist of Sikkim

In a quiet corner of Sikkim’s Lingzey, Gairigaon, an artist has been creating entire worlds inside bottles—one intricate house at a time. Meet Mr Francis Rai, the man behind Francis Bottle Crafts, whose passion for miniature architecture has turned into b.....

Convenor of ICF writes open letters to four Indian Cardinals

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

In an open letter to Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, Cardinal Baselios Mar Cleemis, Cardinal Antony Poola, and Cardinal George Koovakad, Chhotebhai, the Convenor of the Indian Catholic Forum, wrote that the Catholic community in India is proud of them, that.....

Christian Today in Conversation with Dr. John Dayal.

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

As India marks its 76th Republic Day, the Christian community faces what many describe as an unprecedented crisis of religious freedom. Recent appeals to both President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paint a troubling picture: over 720 in.....

Statement of Concerned Catholics

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

On Thursday 4 April 2024, Pope Francis in a very incisive message to the participants in the First Colloquium between the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in the Vatican said, “We n.....

Education

Job Fair in Don Bosco Kohima

College | NECARF Rep |

Job Fair Notice

For kind attention of young boys and girls who are interested in getting recruited in different Comnpaies......

Step in to the World of Journalism and Mass Media

College | NECARF Rep |

Niscort Media College

For those who aspire for the world of Mass media.....

Avail Early Bird Discount in Media Studies

College | NECARF Rep |

Admission Notice

NISCORT, one of the Premier Media Colleges in the National Capital area, announces admission for several graduate and post-graduate level courses in Media studies. Interested students may visit www.niscort.com for details......

NISCORT Announces three different courses in Journalism and Mass Communication

College | NECARF Rep |

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For those Interested in Journalism studies, the above affordable courses comes as a boon.....

NICORT Media College Announces Short Courses in Media fields

College | NECARF Rep |

Annoucment

NICORT Media College Announces Short Courses in Media fields.....

For those interested to make a Career in Mass Media and Journalism, NISCORT provides the opportunity

College | NECARF Rep |

NISCORT opens Admissions for Course in Mass Media and Journalism

NISCORT opens Admissions for Course in Mass Media and Journalism.....

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