North East Catholic Research Forum

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Former Governor & Union Minister Margaret Alva writes to Prime Minister

Opinion | Articles | Editorial Team |

In the backdrop of increasing attacks on Christians and other minority groups in the country, a well-known Catholic leader, Mrs. Margaret Alva, had written a letter to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, pointing out that his silence is being construed as legi.....

Contributions of the Roman Catholic Church in Mizoram in 73 Years (1947- 2020)

Opinion | Articles | Luke Sangkima |

Introduction During December 10 – 12, 2021 the Diocese of Aizawl celebrated its Silver Jubilee. It should have been held exactly on February 7, 2021 but because of the Covid pandemic, the celebration was held on the dates noted above. The story goes lik.....

Indigenous Jesuits Priests Spearhead Mission in poverty-stricken Hazaribagh

Opinion | Articles | Bijay Kumar Minj |

Growing up as a child in the remote and dusty fields of Hazaribagh, Santhosh Minj had no inkling that one day he would lead the mission that Australian Jesuits started there. It is no mean achievement for someone born in an ethnic Oraon family in eastern.....

Facing our Barbaric Condition

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao |

‘To write poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric’ writes Theodor Adorno. In the broadest sense to be barbaric means to be uncultured. Julia Kristeva tells us that the word originated in the context of Greek perception of other languages as inarticulate mumbl.....

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.....

The North East Catholic Community of Delhi Gets a Website

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Two former Presidents and current President of NECCOD jointly launching the website

Keeping with the tradition of raising the bars of improvements and achievements under every successive President, the North East Catholic Community of Delhi (NECCOD), recently came up with their website – www.neccod.org featuring several user-friendly m.....

Manipur Christians Resent Scheduling Election on a Sunday

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Christian community in Manipur has strongly resented scheduling of polling on a Sunday, and urged the Election Commission of India to reschedule it to another day. The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) were the first t.....

Thomas Ngaihte to Lead a Sixteen Member NECCOD Executive Council

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Newly elected Executive members of NECCOD

In an election conducted by the Election Commission of the North East Catholic Community of Delhi (NECCOD) on Dec. 5, 2021, a sixteen member Executive Council was declared elected, with Thomas Ngaihte, as the President. Ngaihte presently is an Additional .....

Christmas Season

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang |

Here in India, only in recent years, I see so many Protestant Sects using this term Advent Christmas. I am confused as to why some terms and practices of the Catholic Church are simply borrowed and used without actually knowing the meaning. Advent Christm.....

Catholics make Their mark in Kachin Province of Strife-torn Myanmar

Opinion | Articles | John Zaw |

Catholics make Their mark in Kachin Province of Strife-torn Myanmar These days Father Paul Lahpai Awng Dang worries less about the spillover of armed conflict between the military and ethnic Kachin rebels into his parish territory on the Myanmar-China .....

Unequal, Even in Death

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

“So it is said We are all equal when dead. It is indeed the great equalizer; But only, and only when Subtle lies are the tranquilizer! Else, those who lie down in death, Are not equal yet”. If you are wondering which moron had muttered these immo.....

Diocese of Agartala Celebrates Silver Jubilee

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

The Diocese of Agartala on December 4, 2021, celebrated its Silver Jubilee, alongside the Silver Jubilee of Bishop Lumen Montero, who is the first Bishop of Agartala. The glittering ceremony which was held at the Holy Cross ground at Agartala was attended.....

Taw Tebin, and Pekhi Nabum, Re-elected APCA Leaders

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Newly elected members of APCA

Two prominent Catholic leaders of Arunachal Pradesh - Mr. Taw Tebin and Mr Pekhi Nabum, were re-elected as President and General Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association (APCA) on November 28, 2021. Following their re-elections to the position,.....

History of Manipur

Opinion | Articles | Irene Salam |

Manipur can boast of having a recorded history from 33 A.D. when Pakhangba ascended the throne of Manipur. On the other hand, there is no concrete chronology of the pre-historic culture of N.E. India, except for some sites in Tripura. A few ceramic wares .....

Editorial

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.....

Look within, before gazing afar

Pope Francis has already announced the names of 21 new Cardinals who will officially assume the new role on December 8th, 2024. Following their appointment as cardinal-elects, the Holy Father wrote a short but powerful letter to all these men, who would s.....

Previous Articles

The Khangkhui Mangsor cave of Ukhrul

Current Updates | Culture | TS Shimreingam Angelus

Khangkhui Mangsor Cave is one of the first known caves in Tangkhul area, located between Khangkhui and Nungshong villages. During the World War II, it served as a refugee camp, as it was in the midst of a thick jungle (in those days), with hardly any acce.....

Be the Stainless White Cassock

Opinion | People's Edit | Joseph M Thohrii

It was one of those hot and humid middle of June, 2014 that I reached at the entrance gate of St. Mary’s Church, Rippon street, Kolkata where I spend one year of my weekends ministry during my Theology days at Morning Star Regional Seminary, Barrackpore......

Thomas Ngaihte to Lead a Sixteen Member NECCOD Executive Council

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

In an election conducted by the Election Commission of the North East Catholic Community of Delhi (NECCOD) on Dec. 5, 2021, a sixteen member Executive Council was declared elected, with Thomas Ngaihte, as the President. Ngaihte presently is an Additional .....

Catholic Church in Manipur supplements Government’s Covid care effort

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

In what may be termed as a major move by the Catholic Church towards combating Covid – 19, the Archbishop of Imphal, Manipur, wrote to a letter to the Government of Manipur on May, 20, 2021, offering to make several Catholic service centres, including a p.....

Celebrate Diversity

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash

It is late evening, the day after Uttarayan (15 January), traditionally called ‘vasi uttarayan’. It has been a dull, cloudy day; the wind has been fairly good though. Since yesterday thousands have been on building –tops, flying their kites and many other.....

New Delhi – New York, Via Newcastle

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

What’s new? In recent times, a lot. Let me begin with the adage “Don’t carry coal to Newcastle”. This is because Newcastle, in north east England, was known for its industry and coal fields. Hence any attempt to send coal there would be superfluous. Can.....

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.....

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 .....

Former Governor & Union Minister Margaret Alva writes to Prime Minister

Opinion | Articles | Editorial Team

In the backdrop of increasing attacks on Christians and other minority groups in the country, a well-known Catholic leader, Mrs. Margaret Alva, had written a letter to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, pointing out that his silence is being construed as legi.....

Destroying Secularism

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash

On 28 January 2025, the well-known Calcutta daily ‘The Telegraph’ carried an article entitled ‘Rub your eyes: Hindu Rashtra Constitution to be unveiled at Mahakumbh on Basant Panchami’. The seemingly innocuous inside-page article, speaks volumes not only .....

NECCOD brings out a Calendar for 2021

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

In a simple ceremony following the NECCOD monthly Mass on November 1, 2020, a Calendar for 2021 was released on by Rev. Fr. Vijay Baretto, Chaplin of NECCOD, in the Archdiocese of Delhi, at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The attractive Calendar, with select.....

Current Updates

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.....

Pope Francis says he is frightened by escalation in war

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Pope Francis in an interview

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.....

Opinion

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 .....

Religious Persecutions in the Land of Vivekananda and Gandhi

Editorial | John S. Shilshi |

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.....

Need for Serious Rethinking on Formation Norms

Articles | M L Satyan |

In the wake of frequent ‘suicide by priests’ there have been quite many articles written answering to questions like why does it happen? How does it happen? What could be the motive? What/Who is to be blamed? What should be done? etc. Based on my experien.....

The Trinity is not a Mystery

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.....

Be Awake! Be Aware! Act now !

Articles | Cedric Prakash |

It is happening with frightening regularity: The bashing of Christians, primarily in States run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A meticulous and well-orchestrated campaign to denigrate and demonise the Christians. Their design is devious: a clear met.....

Youth- A Time to Hurry.

Articles | Capt. Eddie Viegas |

One day a little Black Lad was watching a balloon vendor. The little boy saw that the vendor had balloons of all colours. As each balloon was filled with gas, the balloons would rise high into the air. There were balloons of white, green, blue, red, yello.....

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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