Cardinal Toppo Calls Tripura Convention ‘A Blessing’

AGARTALA, APR. 09, 2008, 10.20 Hrs (CBCI News):

Telesphore Cardinal Toppo who came to Tripura as the special invitee of the Diocesan Laity Convention has called the event a ‘blessing, God’s Will for you and for the diocese.’ Cardinal Toppo who was the president of the CBCI until Feb. 20, 2008.

Cardinal Toppo congratulated Bishop of Agarthala Lumen Monteiro CSC for organizing a Convention in the diocese on the theme of the Word of God, even as the whole Church is preparing for the Synod on the same theme.

In preparation for the Diocesan Convention of the Laity on the Word of God, a team of preachers led by Frs. Amar Bagh, Mukul Mondol and Mr. Kashinath Das from Kolkata toured various parishes in the diocese preaching and teaching the people the Word of God. The culmination of their tour preaching program was the three-day (4-6 April 2008) Convention on the same theme for which over 700 faithful from all parishes of the diocese gathered at Moharpara, the third oldest parish of the diocese and the first to be established in a tribal area.

There was an additional reason for the Convention to be held at Moharpara as it also provided an opportune occasion to bless the newly built parish church. On the penultimate day of the Convention, 6th April, 2008 over 2000 faithful gathered from all corners of the diocese to take part in the celebrations along with the special guest of the day, His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal Toppo of Ranchi. Joining the Bishop of Agartala, Lumen Montiero CSC to welcome the Cardinal to the region was the Local ordinary from the Neighboring diocese of Aizawl, Bishop Steven Routlanga CSC, who was himself a missionary in Tripura prior to his appointment as Bishop.

As the convoy accompanying Cardinal Toppo and the two Bishops reached Moharpara village, Fr. Lancy D’Souza, the parish priest led the traditional welcome ceremony by garlanding the guests. A group of maidens dressed in traditional attire led the guests in dance to the porch of the to-be-blessed and newly built Church. The faithful lined up on either side of the road lustily singing and cheering the distinguished guests.

The Cardinal called the blessing of the Church at Moharpara dedicated to the Immaculate Conception as an event of ‘great significance not only to the diocese and the region but to the entire Church’.

The blessing of the Church was followed by the celebration of the Solemn Eucharist presided over by the Cardinal, the two bishops of the region, over fifty priests, numerous religious personnel and about 2000 faithful.

In an inspiring homily on the Emmaus event, the Cardinal said that like the disciples who felt a ‘burning within’ them on hearing the Words of the Risen Christ, we too must recognize and allow the fire to burn. “I have come to pray with you and for you so that your heart may burn with the love for Jesus – the first must burn,” said the Cardinal. Reminding the gathering that the resurrection of Jesus is the biggest event, the biggest news, and one that must be proclaimed, he felt the newly blessed beautiful Church would certainly be a help in proclaiming this message and telling the story of Jesus to others.

A cultural program showcasing the mesmerizing melodies, rhythms and colors of Tripura was also held for the benefit of the Cardinal.

The celebrations also drew the curtain on the laity Convention, which the purple capped prelate had called a ‘Blessing’. According to a participant, the Convention provided ample time to ‘listen, reflect and pray the Word of God’. Thanks to the inspired preaching of the team members, we have been helped to become aware of ‘the central role the Word must play’ in our lives, felt the participant.

Cardinal Toppo had an interactive session with over 60 priests and religious at the Bishop’s House Agartala on the evening before.

Fr. J. Pulinthanath sdb
Agarthala