THE ARCHDIOCESE OF IMPHAL AT A GLANCE
Establishment : 21 April, 1980
Patron : St. Joseph
Area : 22, 327 sq. km.
Districts : 16
Total Population : 2.85 Million
Catholics : 10,4257
Languages : Over 34
Main Langauges : (Anal, English, Hmar, Kharam, Kom, Mao, Manipuri, Maram, Maring, Moyon, Mizo, Monsang, Paite, Poumai, Rongmei, Lamkang, Chothe, Tangkhul, Thadou, Zou, etc.)
Major Religions : Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, etc.
Parishes : 48
Mission Centres : 08
Diocesan Priests : 116
Religious Priests : 67
Religious Sisters : 368
Touring Catechists : 56
Local Catechists : 481
Major Seminarians : 48 (Diocesan)
Minor Seminarians : 38 (Diocesan)
Formation Houses : 03
Convents : 81
Hospitals : 01
Dispensaries : 13
Rehabilitation Centres : 04
Grehini Centres : 02
Students’ Hostels : 47 for boys; 49 for girls
Colleges : 04
Hr. Sec. Schools : 13
High Schools : 38
Junior Schools : 11
Students in Catholic Schools: 67,876 (approximately)
Technical School : 01
Diocesan Bi-monthly : Catholic Manipur
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Archdiocese of Imphal covers the entire State of Manipur, which is bounded by Nagaland in the North, Mizoram in the South, Upper Myanmar in the East and Cachar district of Assam in the West. To get a better view of the Church, it is important to have an idea of the political history of Manipur.
Political History
Earlier, Manipur was a princely kingdom under the King (Ningthou or Maharaja) of Manipur. It came under the British rule in 1891. The Manipur Constitution Act, 1947, established a democratic form of government with the Maharaja as the Executive Head and a legislative Assembly constituted by election on adult franchise. The Legislative Assembly was dissolved at the integration of the State with the Dominion of India in October, 1949.
Then it was governed as though it were a Chief Commissioner’s Province and then as a Part “C” State under the Indian Constitution with effect from 26th January 1950. In 1951 an advisory form of popular government was introduced and in 1957 this was replaced by a Territorial Council of 30 elected and 2 nominated members. In 1963, a legislative assembly of 30 elected and 3 nominated members was established. The status of the Administrator was raised from that of a Chief Commissioner to that of a Lieutenant Governor in December, 1969. Thus, Manipur remained a Union Territory from 1956 and became a Full-fledged State in 1972. Manipuri was recognized as a national language in 1992.
Church History
The American Baptists began a successful mission in Manipur in 1908 among the hill tribes of Manipur but the missionaries had no permission from the Maharaj of Manipur to work among the Meiteis. One of the outstanding pioneer missionaries was William Pettigrew. The first Catholic Missionary, Rev.Fr.Angsgar Koenigsbaver, SDS, a German Salvatorian missionary looking after Assam Mission, came to Manipur in the year 1912. He found 19 Catholics, 17 of whom belonging to the band of the regiment which was stationed here. The Maharaja of Manipur told Fr. Angsgar that he had no objection to the opening of a Catholic Mission in Imphal, the capital of the princely State. However, due to limited resources and personnel the opportunity to evangelize Manipur could not be realized.
Thirty six years later, two Salesian missionaries, Fr. O. Marengo, SDB, and Fr. Attilio Colussi, SDB, who were working in Guwahati, Assam, visited Imphal in 1948. On meeting the Maharaja they were told: “You (missionaries) are welcome to Manipur. I am a former pupil of St.Edmund’s School, Shillong.” He then gave them permission to enter Manipur and operate their mission in the hills of Manipur. This implied that they were not to work in the Valley, which had been dominated by the Hindu Vaishnavites and some pockets of Muslims. The Missionaries visited Ukhrul, a hill station in the east, on that occasion.
The organised work of evangelization in Manipur actually began with the erection of the Diocese of Dibrugarh in 1951, with Bishop O. Marengo, SDB as its first Bishop. As Manipur was drawn within his ecclesiastical jurisdiction, every year Bishop Marengo visited Manipur and pushed the work ahead with the co-operation of the burning zeal of the laity.
The first Catholic community in Manipur was pioneered by Mr. Dominic Shomi, a former pupil of St.Anthony’s School, Shillong, and Mr. George Hongrei, a former student of Don Bosco School, Guwahati. In 1952, Fr. Marocchino, chaplain of the Kohima Hospital, was invited to Hungpung, a village near Ukhrul. Mr. Shomi had prepared 350 persons ready to embrace the faith. Fr. Marocchino gave them more instructions and received them into the Church on 11th February 1952.
Bishop Orestes Marengo, SDB, then appointed Rev. Fr. A. Ravalico, SDB as Father in charge of Manipur Mission. In April 1953, Fr.A.Ravalico baptised these 350 Thangkhul Nagas from Hungpung village who had been already received into the Catholic Church as catechumens on 11th February 1952 by Fr. Marocchino, SDB, as mentioned above.
A small plot of land with a house building near M.G. Avenue, Imphal, which belonged to a Bengalee, Mr. Pallit by name, then S.P. of Imphal, was purchased by Rev. Fr. Ravalico on 11th February 1956. He then christened the house as ‘NIRMALABAS’ (House of the Immaculate) changing its earlier name ‘Pallit Bhavan’.
The best way to promote the work of evangelization, as Bishop Marengo saw it, was to have ‘resident Priests’ in the area. Now that the residential house, Nirmalabas, was being renovated and getting ready, Bishop Marengo sent Rev. Fr. Ravalico, SDB, and Rev.Fr. Peter Bianchi, SDB, as the very first resident Priests who reached Imphal on 6th March 1956. Initially they had to stay in a rented house in Imphal for about two months.
The official starting of the ‘Immaculate Mission Centre’, Manipur, was on 9th May 1956 when Bishop O’Marengo, SDB blessed and inaugurated ‘Nirmalabas’ and dedicated it as the first Catholic Mission Centre in the State, in the presence of over 300 Catholics from all over Manipur Mission. Rev.Fr.Ravalico together with Rev.Fr.Peter Bianchi stayed in this house from that day on and continued the Mission work in Manipur. Later in the year 1957, Rev.Fr.Felix, SDB, and Rev.Fr. George Venturoli, SDB, joined them in their new ministry in Manipur. And thus the Church in Manipur began to take its roots gradually but firmly.
The vastness of the Lord’s vineyard demanded more workers to the harvest. In 1958, Rev. Fr. Joseph Kachiramattam, the first diocesan priest to step into Manipur soil, arrived in Imphal and joined the community of the Salesian missionaries. Later, two other diocesan priests, Rev. Fr. Mathew Planthottam and Rev. Fr. Mani Parenkulangara reached Manipur in 1959 and 1961 respectively. Since then more priests and religious have strengthened the promotion of the evangelization work in Manipur. Among the pioneering Women Religious Congregations, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (FMA) was the first to arrive in 1958. They were followed by the Congregation of Mother of Carmel (CMC), Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) and Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (SABS) in 1966.
The Diocese of Kohima-imphal which included the two states of Nagaland and Manipur was erected on 29th January 1973 by Pope Paul VI, with Rt.Rev. Abraham Alangimattathil, SDB, as its first Bishop.
Bifurcating the Diocese of Kohima-Imphal, the Diocese of Imphal comprising the entire State of Manipur, was erected by Pope John Paul II on 21st April 1980, with Most.Rev. Joseph Mittathany, the then Bishop of Tezpur, as its first Bishop. Later, on 1st August 1995, His Holiness, John Paul II, raised the Diocese to the status of an Archdiocese with Most Rev.Joseph Mittathany as the Archbishop.
The Holy Father appointed Very Rev. Fr. Dominic Lumon Coadjutor Archbishop elect of Imphal on January 18, 2002 and he was ordained as such by Most Rev. Joseph Mittathany on April 7, 2002.
The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Most Rev. Joseph Mittathany as the Archbishop of Imphal at the completion of 75 years of age, and by virtue of ‘Coadjutorship’ Most Rev. Dominic Lumon took over as the Archbishop of Imphal on 12th July 2006.
The Holy Father Pope Francis appointed Very Rev. Fr. Linus Neli as Archbishop Elect of Imphal on 7 October, 2023. He was consecrated Archbishop of Imphal on 8 December 2023 in the presence of His Excellency Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal.
OFFICIALS
Vicar General : Rev. Fr. Varghese Velikakkam
Chancellor : Rev. Fr. Paul Ngaoni
Financial Administrator : Rev. Fr. Francis Vialo
Procurator : Rev. Fr. Varghese Velikakkam
Assist. Financial Economer : Rev. Fr. Denis Ngaopuni
Secretary : Rev. Fr. Dilbung Samuel (9362323725)
IMPHAL METROPOLITAN TRIBUNAL
Judicial Vicar : Rev. Fr. Paul Ngaoni, JCD
Defender of the Bond : Rev. Fr. Sijo Ozhalakattu, JCL
Diocesan Judges : Rev. Fr. Joy Vellattukara, JCD
: Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chelat
Notary : Rev. Fr. Francis Vialo
ARCHDIOCESAN CONSULTORS
Rev. Fr. Varghese Velikakkam
Rev. Fr. Peter Haokip
Rev. Fr. Solomon Thezii
Rev. Fr. Vialo Francis
Rev. Fr. Joy Vellattukara
Rev. Fr. Sibi Alexander
Rev. Fr. P.X. Francis SDB
Rev. Fr. Devassy Pudessery
Rev. Fr. George Malayil
Rev. Fr. Stephen Touthang
COUNCILS
ARCHDIOCESAN PRESBYTERAL COUNCIL
Most Rev. Dominic Lumon
Ex-officio:
Rev. Fr. Varghese Velikakkam
Rev. Fr. Solomon Thezii
Rev. Fr. Vialo Francis
Rev. Fr. Samson Ningtam
Rev. Fr. Lijo George Ennamplasseril
District Representatives
Rev. Fr. Gabriel Mayopam (Ukhrul)
Rev. Fr. Kholi Emmanuel (Senapati)
Rev. Fr. TS. Dominic (Tamenglong)
Rev. Fr. Stephen Baite (Churachandpur)
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Seiba (Chandel)
Rev. Fr. Isaac Matesou (Valley Districts)
Religious Representatives:
Rev. Fr. Philip Puthettupalavil (Salesians)
Rev. Fr. Varghese Chettupuzha (MSFS)
Rev. Fr. Hector D'Souza (S.J., C.M, OFM Caps)
Assistant Priests Representatives:
Rev. Fr. Denis Ngaopuni
Rev. Fr. Thomas Ningmei
Representatives of Commissions:
Rev. Fr. Varghese Velickakam (Clergy Welfare)
Rev. Fr. Stephen Touthang (Education)
Rev. Fr. Biju Lukose (Health & Social Welfare)
Rev. Fr. Albert Leivon (Youth & AMCO)
Rev. Fr. Peter Haokip (Laity, Ecumenism & Dialogue)
Rev. Fr. Isaac Matesou (Liturgy & Catechetics)
Rev. Fr. Athansius Mung (Evangelization)
Nominated Members:
Rev. Fr. Joseph Charakunnath
Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chelat
FINANCE COMMITTEE
President : Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli
Vice President : Rev. Fr. Varghese Velikakkam
Economer : Rev. Fr. Vialo Francis
Members : Rev. Fr. Lijo George Ennamplasseril
: Rev. Fr. Stephen Touthang
: Rev. Fr. Avince Dilbung Anthony
: Rev. Fr. Dale Joseph
: Rev. Fr. Robert Somi
: Rev. Fr. John Parvis
CENSOR
Rev. Fr. Paul Ngaoni, JCD
Rev. Fr. Joy Vellattukara, JCD
COMMISSIONS
1. Catechetics and Liturgy
Director : Rev. Fr. Isaac Matesou
2. Bible
Director : Rev. Fr. Besii John
3. Evangelization
Director : Rev. Fr. Athansius Mung
4. Clergy & Formation Commission
Director : Rev. Fr. Varghese Velickakam
5. Education
Director : Rev. Fr. Stephen Touthang
6. Laity
Director : Rev. Fr. Varghese Velickakam
7. Youth
Director : Rev. Fr. Albert Leivon
8. Women
: Rev. Sr. Archana Clare,
9. Communication & Media
Director : Rev. Fr. Mark Thangkhan Ai
10. Diocesan Vocation
: Rev. Fr. Samson Ningtam
11. Small Christian Community/Basic Ecclesial Community (SCC/BEC)
Director : Rev. Fr. Ngaolouni Paul
12. Family Apostalate
Director : Rev. Fr. Solomon Thezii
13. Health Apostalate
Director : Rev. Fr. James Tangshel
14. Art & Culture
Director : Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Kholi
15. Social Work, Peace & Justice
Director : Rev. Fr. Biju Lukose
16. Ecumenism & Dialogue
Director : Rev. Fr. Albert Leivon
17. Labour (CBCI) & Domestic Workers Movement
Director : Rev. Sr. Regina Mareem MSMHC
OFFICE BEARERS
1. DIOCESAN FRATERNITY (CLERGY)
President : Rev. Fr. Besii John
Secretary : Rev. Fr. Igantius Golmei
Treasurer : Rev. Fr. Denis Ngaopuni
2. AMCU (All Manipur Catholic Union)
President: Dr. C. Mathew Kamei
Secretary: Mr. Th. Rocky Alfred
3. CRI (Catholic Religious of India)
President: Rev. Fr. Philip Puthettupalavil SDB
Secretary: Rev. Sr. Rosin SABS
4. APC (Archdiocesan Pastoral Council)
President: Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli D.D.
Vice President: Mr. Jacob Lhungdim
General Secretary: Robert Monshang
5. MCWO (Manipur Catholic Women Organization)
President: Mrs. NG. Lydia
General Secretary: Mrs. S.Y Catherine
6. MCYO (Manipur Catholic Youth Organization)
President: Mr. Napoleon Rongmei
Vice President: Mr. Kishan Kundrakpam
General Secretary: Miss. Chanmayo Febiola
7. Parish Establishment Committee
Rev. Fr. Varghese Velickakam (Vicar General)
Rev. Fr. Vialo Francis (Economer)
Rev. Fr. Sebastian Chelat
Rev. Fr. Robert Somi
8 . College Establishment Committee
Rev. Fr. John Parvis
Rev. Fr. Stephen Touthang
Rev. Fr. Lijo George
Rev. Fr. Jacob Chapao
Rev. Fr. Hilary Kamei
8. Consultant
Mr. Christopher Indubhusan
9. Legal Advisor
Mr. Mark Kapai
10. CMP (Catholic Manipur Publication)
Chief Editor: Rev. Fr. Solomon Thezii
Address : C/o Archbishop’s House
Mantripukhri, Imphal - 795 002
Manipur
