Kohima Diocese Observes Year for Priests

KOHIMA, June, 07, 2010, 10:50 Hrs (CBCI News):

A Symposium on "Christ’s Priesthood: As lived and expected" was held to observe the Year for Priests at Pastoral Centre, Dimapur, Nagaland, May, 26. The event was to mark the closing of the Year for Priests inaugurated by the Pope Benedict XVI in 2009.

The day long programme was attended by Archbishop Joseph Mittathany, former archbishop of Imphal, Archbishop Dominic Lumon, Administrator of the diocese of Kohima and several provincials, all priests serving in the Diocese of Kohima, sisters, brothers, lay leaders, dignitaries from other Christian denominations and people of other faith communities. Prominent lay leader Mr. Rocus Chasie, Former Provincial of Missionary Sisters of the Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Mary Perunilam msmhc, Bible Translation Advisor Rev. Aheto Sumi and the Secretary of Ramakrishna Society, Dimapur, Mr. Samiran Bishnu, shared what they expect from a Catholic priest.

Fr. R. R. Graviour Augustine who organized the symposium, hoped that the symposium would adequately responded to the different questions lurking in the minds of priests in the region, especially at a time when the image of Catholic Priesthood is being tarnished in different areas of the globe.

In his keynote address Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal said, "The identity of priests should be that of Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd who went in search of the lost sheep". Papers on several themes were presented by priests, delegates from other denominations and faith. Fr. Jayanth Kumar SJ presented how St. Ignatius of Loyola spoke of Christ’s priesthood while the Salesian Provincial of Dimapur, Fr. James Poonthuruthil spoke on St. John Bosco. Fr. O.K.N Arokia Doss, Fr. Jobby msfs, and Fr. Inashe Paul ofm.cap, spoke on how St.John Marie Vianney, St. Franicis De Sales and the Franciscans lived the priesthood of Christ.
The publication of a book and catechetical materials of the Pastoral Centre in Audio CDs were released by former D.C of Tuensang, R.L. Jamir, IAS (Rtd). The presence of Archbishop Lumon, and the former Director of Northeast India Social Communication (NESCOM), Fr. Chinnappan Peter, added colour to the occasion.

To appreciate and express their gratitude to the priests serving in Nagaland, the Catholic Religious of India (CRI), Dimapur unit, gave a token of appreciation to all priests present during the occasion. The programme finally came to an end with the musical on the life and ministry of St. John Marie Vianney titled, "The New Dawn" produced by Fr. R. R. Graviour Augustine and Fr. Barnes L. Mawrie sdb with the help of five religious institutions serving in the Diocese of Kohima.