North East Catholic Research Forum

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NECARF Meets for the First time since Inception

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Archbishop John Moolachira addressing the Conference

The North East Catholic Research Forum (NECARF) held its first ever physical meeting in Guwahati on August 20, 22 since formation in September 2020. The Conference was hosted at the Dob Bosco Institute of Management, Kharguli, on August 20, 2022, attended.....

FELIX CULPA – DÉJÀ VU

Opinion | Articles | Editorial Team |

To Cardinal Oswald Gracias CBCI President & Papal Advisor (diocesebombay@gmail.com) Abp Leopoldo Girelli Apostolic Nuncio to India (nuntius@apostolicnunciatureindia.com) Cardinal Luis Tagle Prefect Congretio pro Gentium Evangelizatione, Vatican.....

Execution of Pro-democracy Activists in Myanmar: Why Delhi is Unable to go Beyond Expressing Concern?

Opinion | Articles | Pamreihor Khashimwo |

India expressed ‘deep concern’ over the detention of top Myanmar and the military takeover in February 2021. Since then Myanmar’s position in the world has declined significantly. The military junta’s execution of four political activists on July 25, 2022.....

A Tribute to a Pioneer Nun

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang |

Our family joined the Catholic Church in 1988, when Lt. Rev. Sr. Blessilia was serving as the Superior of Tuensang Convent. My mother was serious about our new-found faith. She was quick to pick up the prayers and songs. We had evening rosary service ever.....

Priests and Nuns: Are they Less Sociable?

Opinion | Articles | Editorial Team |

Joseph Le Dac Thang, SJ Humans are gregarious animals, which means they have a dire need to communicate with a certain community. And the religious are no exception. The peculiarities of the consecrated life mean men and women have to give up or limit so.....

Hundred Years of FMA Presence in Northern India Provinces

Opinion | Articles | Penny Rose Chinir |

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice = FMA) founded by St John Bosco with co-foundress St Maria Domenica Mazzarello at Mornese, Italy is also known as Salesian Sisters of St John Bosco or simply FMA. The FMA province of M.....

A brief History of St. Peter’s Church Kiphire Town

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang |

A brief History of St. Peter’s Church Kiphire Town St. Peter Church marked its beginning on 18th Jan. 1972 with the visit of Late Rev. Fr. Castelino S.J and Late Rev. Fr. Edwin Goveas S.J, and later when Fr. Castelino S.J settled down here on 16th Feb .....

Dialogue, With Care

Opinion | Articles | John Dayal |

Dialogue, With Care My heart goes out to Bishop Thomas Dabre of Pune. An apology has been wrested out of him for his remarks at a public function which were carried by the local media. “The Christian Community accepts RSS ideology and principles. We n.....

Is Celibacy a Delicacy?

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Is Celibacy a Delicacy? A delicacy is usually related to food, my favourite indulgence. It is different from the daily fare of dal-chawal or sabji-roti. For me a delicacy is something like succulent pork chops. Obviously one cannot eat that everyday. .....

Tuki Writes to CM Arunachal Pradesh on Buddhists objection to construction of a Church

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

In a significant move, Nabam Tuki, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, wrote to Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, resolve the differences between Buddhist and Christian community of Tawang district, which erupted due to objections .....

Avail Early Bird Discount in Media Studies

Education | 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......

Hat-Trick

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

The just concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) would be fresh in people’s minds. Hence one cannot be faulted for presuming that this piece is about cricket! It isn’t. It’s not about red balls but about red hats, the red Berettas given to Cardinals. They a.....

Conversion, Colonizer and the People

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao |

Conversion has come back to haunt us. How are we to understand the complex reality of conversion? Are we to simplify it by reducing it to spiritual conquests? Conversion viewed as a spiritual conquest is tainted by its political overtones. Our understan.....

Editorial

Zubeen Garg unites people even in his death

Many ordinary people who are not connected to music and art might not have even heard of Zubeen Garg, despite being an iconic artist and a person who cared for others. However, after his unfortunate and untimely demise on September 19, 2025, social media.....

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.....

Previous Articles

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

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang

“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 .....

Centenary Hallmarks of Christianity among the Moyons of Manipur

Opinion | Articles | Penny Rose Chinir

The advent of Christianity in Manipur dates back to 1894 with the arrival of Rev. William Pettigrew, a young English missionary who ventured out to the Naga hills in 1896. However, the dawn of Christianity among the Moyons began with the baptism of Nungch.....

Will Shishu Bhawan now be Renamed as Shishu Mandir?

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

Year 2022 dawned bleakly. Not just because of the resurgent Covid, but because of the.....

Sportsmanship Transcends over Ethnic division

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

On September 10, 2023, the Indian under -16 football team lifted the glittering Trophy in Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. The team, affectionately referred to as the "Blue Colts", trounced neighbour Bangladesh by two goals to emerge Champions. Apart from.....

Iconoclasm: Yesterday and Today

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

Iconoclasm is the destruction of things (often held sacred or precious), persons or even ideas. What is an icon? Millennials would be familiar with the icons (symbols) on their mobile phones, laptops or computers. Originally, an icon was usually a religio.....

Mantra for a stress-free life is ‘Just to leave it’

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

We have been boasting of our science, technology, military and weapon power. Every country has been spending enormous amount of money for procuring arms, weapons and nuclear power. Our human pride, our imagined self-importance, status and money power, the.....

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.....

Christian Mission: Holding up the Mirror of Truth

Opinion | People's Edit | Ladislaus Louis D'Souza

"Missionary work is not something that is reserved for a select few individuals. It is the vocation of all Christians,” says Father Ambrose Pichaimuthu, National Director, Pontifical Mission Organizations. If one could cite a single concrete example of th.....

Avail Early Bird Discount in Media Studies

Education | College | NECARF Rep

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......

From Fundamental Rights to Fundamental Duties: Christian Response to Crisis in India

Opinion | Articles | Acharyasri

In every Military Academy around the world, the one principle of war taught is ‘Offense is the best form of defense'. I have spent the best years of my life (from 24 years of age when I was Commissioned as a Pilot Officer with the Trophy for the 'Best O.....

The Mongolian Contribution to Our Civilization

Opinion | Articles | Thomas Menamparampil

The Mongolian Contribution to Our Civilization The Mongolian Contribution Calls for Recognition It is generally recognised that in ancient days, Bihar and further east was inhabited by Mongolian and Austro-Asiatic tribes. Possibly, some of the weste.....

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.....

Opinion

Religions are Commercialized

Articles | M L Satyan |

Just recently I hired an autorickshaw in Bengaluru. While traveling in the autorickshaw I noticed a printed caption above the driver’s seat. It read: “Price the Lord”. My mind said that there is a typo. The word “Praise” has been wrongly spelt as “Price”......

The Capacity of Human Brain to Retain Data on Social Contacts

Articles | Isaac Harold Gomes |

Picture of Human Brain

We humans are social creatures and therefore we need ‘social bonds’ to survive on earth. However, our brains have their limits to sustain countless contacts. According to researchers our brains can effectively store a maximum of 150 relationships in our .....

The Three Idiots of Ladakh

Articles | Chhotebhai |

The block buster Amir Khan movie “Three Idiots” is to some degree inspired by Sonam Wangchuk of Ladakh, the same person whom the Government has now arrested under the draconian National Security Act and lodged in far away Jodhpur jail. Ironically, till re.....

On Living the Legacy of Fr. Stan Swamy

Articles | Cedric Prakash |

Fr Sten Swamy

Late evening of 8 October 2020, Fr Stan Swamy was summoned from ‘Bagaicha’ in Ranchi (the Social Centre he founded in 2006 and where he lived) by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials, to their local headquarters in Ranchi city. He was immed.....

Zubeen Garg unites people even in his death

Editorial | John S. Shilshi |

Many ordinary people who are not connected to music and art might not have even heard of Zubeen Garg, despite being an iconic artist and a person who cared for others. However, after his unfortunate and untimely demise on September 19, 2025, social media.....

Did Jesus speak Latin?

Articles | Chhotebhai |

Readers will pardon me for asking another audacious question. They will also note that I often write in response to current issues. This time it is a riposte to an article “Reviving the Old Latin Mass would be a colossal mistake” published in Union of Cat.....

Current Updates

An MSMHC Nun from Mizoram did the North East Proud

NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Sr Rose Paite

October 14, 2025: Sr Rose Paite, an MSMHC nun from Mizoram, received the prestigious National Award from the Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM) at the World Mental Health Day Conference in Kerala. The prestigious award was handed over to the recipie.....

Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez’s address

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Synodality: Why No, and Why Yes Some have hoped that our new pope would ease up a little on this matter of synodality. Instead, Pope Leo has expressed a strong desire to continue along the path of synodality. For example: “Synodality becomes a mindset, .....

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.....

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