North East Catholic Research Forum

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Convenor of ICF writes open letters to four Indian Cardinals

Current Updates | 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.....

Pope Francis: A man of the moment, someone who gave the world so much

Opinion | Articles | Joseph M Thohrii |

On the 13th March 2013, when the white smoke from the Sistine Chapel was seen, the faithful gathered in the Vatican square exclaimed in joy shouting, “Habemus Papam” meaning ‘We have a Pope’. And the man was none other than Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio,.....

Why Pope Francis couldn’t visit India

Opinion | Articles | Leivon Albert Lamkang |

His presence here could have been a moment of healing and recognition. It would have signalled that religious pluralism is not just tolerated in India—it is honoured. In diplomacy, sometimes what doesn’t happen is as telling as what does. The recent news.....

After Francis, Who?

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Focus now shifted to the Camerlengo (the papal custodian till the election of the new pope). It was now his duty to follow the guidelines for the election of a new pope as specified in Universi Dominici Gregis (UDG), promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 2.....

The Messenger is Gone, but not the Message

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan |

After a very long period, God selected a modern, pro-poor Francis Assisi in the form of a pope to reform the church that was rusting. Definitely, he too had been seriously reflecting on the contrast between the wealthy Vatican and the acute poverty outsid.....

A day after He went, memories of Pope Francis come piercing with Realization

Opinion | Articles | James Pochury |

The news broke quietly, like a whisper lost in the noise of our indifferent world: Pope Francis had passed away. For many, it was a passing headline. For those who understood what he represented, it was the end of an era. And for those of us shaped by rig.....

In Pope Francis’ death the world is orphaned!

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash |

In Pope Francis’ death the world is orphaned! In the death of Pope Francis, the world has lost one of the greatest personalities of modern times! We are saddened that he is no longer in our midst! He was truly a compassionate pastor with a warm, lovi.....

‘Transitus’ of Francis: End of an Era and a Great Legacy Pope Francis (1936-2025)

Opinion | Articles | George Plathottam |

The world mourns for Pope Francis at his ‘transitus’, to use a word that is both rich in meaning and familiar to the Church and the Franciscan spiritual tradition to describe one’s passing. His death, no doubt, is the end of a remarkable era. He leaves b.....

The Holy Week’s Lessons - For Leaders

Opinion | Poem | Anthony Dias |

The Holy Week provides Precious lessons, on compassionate, Humble and courageous leadership Through the Teachings and Actions The cataclysmic Crucifixion Of the Historical, Jesus of Nazareth! Who demonstrated What a genuine servant-leader shou.....

The lament of Calvary this Lent!

Opinion | Articles | Vijayan MJ |

Passion week is that time of the year when Christians all over the world remind themselves about the sufferings, anguish, pain and the bloody crucifixion that Jesus Christ took on himself, as part of his mission of emancipating the people and establishing.....

Job Fair in Don Bosco Kohima

Education | College | NECARF Rep |

Job Fair Notice

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

Denial of permission to CAAD is not just what meets the eye

Opinion | Articles | John S. Shilshi |

In recent times, this country has been unfortunately witnessing increasing instances of injustice against the Christian community in different parts of the country. From physically attacking priests and nuns to harassment in different forms, Christians, p.....

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.....

Should we believe in Miracles?

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

My wife and I were back from Sunday Mass. I was at my writing table while she was on the phone. I heard her say something about speaking in tongues, so I asked her whom she was talking to, as she is not the “charismatic” type. It was on old friend who.....

Editorial

Sanju Samson's Silent Prayer was the Loudest Thanks giving

In a country where cricket is not just a game but considered next only to religion, a spectacle unfolded on March 1 inside the mammoth and iconic Eden Gardens cricket stadium in Kolkata, where the Indian and West Indies teams played the last of the Super.....

Stooping Beyond a Limit

When Himanta Biswa Sarma exited his parent party, the Indian National Congress, in 2015 and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, not too many eyebrows were raised since such leapfrogging from one political party to the other was nothing new in Indian politi.....

The Culture of othering is an unhealthy trend

A German Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemöller, was against the Communist ideology and also against Semitism. His distaste for them made him a natural ally and supporter of Rudolf Hitler. When Hitler ultimately assumed power and insisted on the supremacy of t.....

Persecutions in the land of Tagore, Vivekananda, and Gandhi

India is fortunate to have given birth to three outstanding sons, Rabindranath Tagore, Swami Vivekananda, and Mahatma Gandhi, who inspired generations not only in India but across the world. Apart from their liberal thinking, their thoughts on religious f.....

The determination was written on every Indian player’s face

On the intervening night of November 2nd and 3rd, the Indian women’s cricket team created history by winning the ICC Women’s World Cup for the first time at the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai. They defeated South Africa, a team dubbed by many cricketing.....

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.....

Previous Articles

Rev. Sister Aloysia Lotha, MSMHC: The First Catholic Nun from Nagaland

Opinion | Articles | Yanrenthung J Humtsoe

Sister Aloysia Lotha was born in Lakhuti Village, Wokha, Nagaland, to Lt. Shenponthung Ambrose Yanthan and Lt. Ratseno Monica Yanthan. She received her Baptism at the age of 9, on 28th November, 1953. Her family embraced the Catholic faith in 1951. She m.....

NECCOD Engages Its Members with Online Activities

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

With COVID-19 bringing the entire World to grinding halt, India too closeted into homes from the last week of March, 2020, with the objective of staying away from the unseen human enemy. This made life very difficult for people from the North East residin.....

Christian Forum disturbed by increasing instances of attacks on Churches

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

New Delhi, June 13, 2022: The United Christian Forum (UCF), an ecumenical group, has demanded urgent judicial and government intervention to check what it says is the rapid rise in incidents of violence, coercion and false arrests that traumatize the comm.....

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.....

NERYC sponsored Youth Convention in Imphal

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

NERYC sponsored Youth Convention in Imphal The fourth edition of Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) North East, was co-hosted by North East Regional Youth Commission (NERYC) and the Manipur Catholic Youth Organisation (MCYO) from October 22 to 26 at t.....

Shame on State Bank of India

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

Probably, this is the first time in the banking sector of India when the country’s biggest bank has not followed the deadline given by the Supreme Court. As a customer of this bank, I strongly feel that this bank is not trustworthy. This is the same bank.....

Student Suicides - A Silent Epidemic

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

A recent article with the headline: “Suicide of Ashir Nanda in Kerala: A Wake-Up Call for Schools” by Fr Suresh Mathew OFM Cap is an eye-opener. In his article he mentions that the recent suicide of 14-year-old Ashir Nanda, a Class 9 student at St. Do.....

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.....

NECCOD celebrates 30th Anniversary

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

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.....

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.....

NISCORT Online Course

Education | College | NECARF Rep

NISCORT is conducting an Online Certificate Course in Media for Grauates. Those interested to join may contact the Institute.....

Current Updates

ICF Writes to the President of India

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Hon’ble Smt Draupadi Murmu, PRESIDENT OF INDIA Rashtrapati Bhawan New Delhi presidentofindia@rb.nic.in 31st December 2025 Respected Rashtrapatiji, Sub: Christmas attacks on Christians Namaskar! I respectfully place before you some of the.....

Attacks aginst Christians increased by 500% since 2014: Rights Groups

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Attacks Against Christians Increased by 500% Since 2014: Rights Groups New Delhi: On November 4, Christian rights activists assembled at the Press Club of India to release a report about an alarming and sustained annual surge in incidents of violence a.....

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.....

Opinion

The Significance of Christ’s Crucifixion, Death, and Resurrection

Articles | Isaac Harold Gomes |

The Risen Lord

Easter is the most important religious festival of 2.6 billion Christians all over the world. On this day they commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day of His being put to death on the cross. Christ’s Resurrection forms the crux of t.....

India Blacklisted!

Articles | Cedric Prakash |

On March 4, 2026, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released in Washington its Annual Report 2026. The USCIRF website( www.uscirf.gov) states that, “The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an.....

International Women’s Day 2026: “Give to Gain”, a slogan well coined

Articles | Joseph M Thohrii |

“I want every girl to know that her voice can change the world”. (Malala Yousafzai) India's women have made significant progress since the days when they had to endure severe exploitation and conform to well-defined societal norms. In the last few decad.....

Sanju Samson's Silent Prayer was the Loudest Thanks giving

Editorial | John S. Shilshi |

In a country where cricket is not just a game but considered next only to religion, a spectacle unfolded on March 1 inside the mammoth and iconic Eden Gardens cricket stadium in Kolkata, where the Indian and West Indies teams played the last of the Super.....

Asia’s Fragile ecosystem may well be further complicated by the US-Israeli war with Iran

Articles | John Dayal |

The eruption of hostilities between Israel, the United States, and Iran — codenamed “Operation Epic Fury” — has thrust Asia into a precarious and highly sensitive geopolitical and humanitarian crisis, evoking a hesitant response of protest rallies and pea.....

Sowing the Wind

Articles | Chhotebhai |

At the beginning of the year, shortly after Trump invaded Venezuela, I had written “As Thick as Thieves”. I re-read it before writing this piece. I had then warned that the Venezuelan “success” would embolden Trump to flex his muscles elsewhere too. Tr.....

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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