North East Catholic Research Forum

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Bishop Victor Lyngdoh is the New Archbishop of Shillong

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh

As per a communiqué issued by the Diocesan Administrator of Shillong Archdiocese Rev. Father John Madur on December 28, 2020, the Holy Father, Pope Francis, appointed Bishop Victor Lyngdoh as the Archbishop of Shillong. Most Rev. Victor Lyngdoh (64) was t.....

The Archdiocese of Imphal reaped rich in December 2020

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Newly ordained Priests with Archbishop Dominic Lumon

The month of December 2020 turned out to be a month of bumper reaps for the Archdiocese of Imphal, when nine Deacons hailing from different parishes were ordained as Priests. While seven of them were ordained together by Archbishop Most Rev. Dominic Lumon.....

Inpui Community’s first Catholic Church in Yurembam

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Yurembam

When Mary Immaculate Catholic Church is inaugurated on the 15th of January 2021 at Yurembam by Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, Archbishop of Imphal, it will be the first Catholic Church for this particular community. Catholic presence amongst the Inpui community.....

Catholic Church in Meghalaya: Foundation and Growth

Opinion | Articles | David R. Syiemlieh |

Catholics missionaries were the first among the Christian Missions to have entered the North East region. Their attention through the 18th and early 19th centuries was the pastoral care of three Portuguese settlements of Rangamati, located on the easternm.....

Woman and Child

Opinion | Articles | Desmond L. Kharmawphlang |

The trudge from her hovel to the corner by the bus-stop would be covered in the time it took her to have her first mouthful of betel nut of the day, about say, 10 minutes. With her bag of bidis and cigarettes, plastic jars of shaved and pieced betel nuts .....

Enhancing life Skills & effective communication for Teachers

Opinion | Articles | Sunny Jacob SJ |

“Life skills is a term used to describe a set of basic skills acquired through learning and/or direct life experience that enable individuals and groups to effectively handle issues and problems commonly encountered in daily life” In other words, Life Ski.....

Entrepreneurs: The Wealthy Unemployed

Opinion | People's Edit | Kh.Siile Anthony |

An entrepreneur is a person who can take calculative risks with innovative ideas for profit. To be an entrepreneur is a dream that many professionals aspire, but those with real guts achieve it. Getting entrepreneurship ideas is not a hard thing but to co.....

Hermeneutics of Love, and its Intriguing Nuances

Opinion | People's Edit | Victor Ferrao |

We love our life and we are trying hard to preserve it against the novel coronavirus. Our life is no stranger to death but when it comes to pandemic deaths becoming omnipresent, we have to fight for life. This is why we try to police the virus and prese.....

He called it a Day finally

Opinion | People's Edit | Khansu Vialo Zingkhai |

Rev. Fr. MC John

He called it a day on the 18th of November 2020, in the Archdiocese of Imphal, Manipur, a place he had chosen as his turf to be a Pencil in the hands of God, so that his Creator could write through him. That was Rev. Fr. MC John, born on 8th February 1940.....

NECCOD celebrates 30th Anniversary

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Group Photo on 30th Anniversary

The North East Catholic Community of Delhi, on December 6th 2020, celebrated the 30th year of their existence in the National capital at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi. The occasion was combined with the usual Pre-Christmas celebration the organisa.....

Being Aatmanirbar and the Demand and Supply sides of our Economy

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao |

Indian economy was already struggling before being hit by the global pandemic. Like every other country, India is fighting its war against covid-19. Social distancing, use of masks and sanitizers have become the new normal for us all. Severe lockdown im.....

Brief History of the Catholic Missionaries in Manipur

Opinion | Articles | Irene Salam |

The Tangkhul Nagas were the early Christians in Manipur since Rev. William Pettigrew first landed in Ukhrul after he was disallowed spaced in the valley. By 1946 however, there were confusions due to emergence of the Revival and the Seventh Day Adventist .....

Contributions of the Catholic Church towards Education in the Brahmaputra Valley

Opinion | Articles | Luke Daimari |

Introduction The credit for introduction and growth of a regular system of education in India goes to the British. In 1781, the East India Company for the first time set up a Madrassa at Calcutta and later opened similar institutions for the Hindus at.....

Our Culture and the Gospel Encounter

Opinion | People's Edit | Joseph M Thohrii |

Introduction Since early human civilisations, there has always been feeling of awe towards the supernatural being, and human beings had always been curious and interested to understand this phenomenon and wanted to relate life to this reality or being. I.....

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

Nongstoin Diocese gets a New Bishop

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

According to a press release issued by Rev. Fr (Dr) Stephen Alathara, the Deputy Secretary General of CCBI, Rev. Fr Wilbert Marwein has been appointed as the new Bishop of Nongstoin Diocese. The communiqué also adds that Fr. Wilbert Marwein was born on 1.....

Dogs & Gods of War

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

This is an alarmist headline. It is meant to be. It is inspired in part by the novel “Dogs of War” written 70 years ago by Fredrick Forsythe. But this article is not fiction, for truth is stranger than fiction. Polytheist religions have Gods of War. M.....

Need for Serious Rethinking on Formation Norms

Opinion | 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.....

Corporate Greed is not Nation building

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

Today two industrialists have become the talk among the social media, both in India and in abroad. One person is Mr. N.R. Narayana Murthy of Infosys and the other person is Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Months after Infosys co-founder N.....

The validity of Catholic Baptism

Opinion | Articles | Benjamin Chang

The Catholic Church has always understood baptism differently. It teaches that baptism is a sacrament that accomplishes several things, the first of which is the remission of sin, both original sin and actual sin—only original sin in the case of infants a.....

The Horror stories of Kandhamal riots lingers in memory of Indian Christians

Opinion | Articles | John Dayal

Exactly 13 years since brutal violence scarred an eastern state, victims are still waiting for justice Feb. 24, 1784, was the day the Christian community in India shed its innocence, discovering its vulnerability in a land where social, religious and o.....

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,.....

An Initiative to empower Needy Christian youths

Opinion | Articles | Isaac Harold Gomes

On Sunday 14th September 2025, St Lawrence Old Boarders’ Association (SLOBAN) organized a Career Guidance Programme (for classes 8-12) at St Teresa’s Parish, Kolkata. Several college-going students from Morapai (Baruipur Diocese, South 24 Parganas) also.....

Fr. Stan Swamy SJ: Person, Pilgrim, Prophet

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash

When Fr Stan Swamy died on 5 July 2021, the world of truth and justice was shocked and saddened. Those who belonged to this group were convinced, that his death was not a natural one, but a pre-mediated institutional murder. Yes, he was killed – because t.....

APCA Reaches out to Fire Victims of Lailam and Noksa

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

The Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association reaches out to the fire victims of Noksa village in Longding district by distributing clothes, utensils and cash to the victims of those affected by a devastating fire. The relief materials, including a cheque fo.....

The Uniqueness of the Manipuri Muslims

Opinion | Articles | Irene Salam

It is extremely common in Manipur to bracket the Meiteis (the largest indigenous community of the Manipur Valley who profess Hinduism, albeit with a mixture of their primeval religion Sanamahism) with the Meitei Pangals who profess Islam. Who are the Meit.....

Opinion

Called 'To Mission'

Articles | Cedric Prakash |

‘The Mission’, is a 1986 British period drama film, about the experiences of a Jesuit missionary in 18th-century South America. The film is a rather complex one, though compelling and spiritually stirring. In essence, it is about the stand, which the Span.....

Christianity and the Contemporary Naga Society

Articles | Jonas Yanthan |

Religion has tremendous impact on people and ultimately the society. The truth is believers act and behave in the way each individual or society believes. We know that bad theology and shallow belief system can turn believers into mediocre or fanatic peop.....

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.....

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.....

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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