(From left) Newly ordained Most Rev. James Thoppil, Bishop of Nagaland, His Excellency, Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio shares a light moment during the felicitation programme for Most Rev. James Thoppil, Bishop of Nagaland at Cathedral Church Kohima.
Kohima | September 8 : More than 9000 believers of catholic community from across the State and the northeast region turned up for the grand Episcopal Ordination of Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Nagaland that was held today at Cathedral Church Kohima. The 4000 thousand capacity Church overflowed and many more were seen outside the Church just to get a glimpse and blessing as His Excellency, Most Rev. Salvatore Pennachio, the Apostolic Nuncio to India anointed the formal ordination this morning.
The Ordination programme was followed by felicitation programme at the Church compound. Former Chief Minister & Governor Goa Governor, Dr. S.C Jamir, Chief Minister Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and his colleagues and government officials joined along with the rest of the congregation at the Felicitation programme.
Congratulating the newly ordained Rev. James Thoppil, Rio also extended gratitude to the Vatican for appointing the best and experienced Bishop who has vast knowledge about the backward region of India, Nagaland. He expressed positive hope that under the head of the Bishop there will be many indirect beneficiaries receiving humanitarian service be it in the field of social, health and education besides reaching out to the most difficult and remote areas, working for the less privileged people.
Rio also acknowledged the Apostolic Nuncio to India, His Excellency, Salvatore Pennacchio, stating that his presence is a real honor for the State and requests him to support through prayer to bring peace in the State. The Apostolic Nuncio to India His Excellency, Salvatore Pennacchio in his brief address also thanked the dignitaries for their presence which is a sign of appreciation, encouragement and support and assured to be in the mission of Naga People.
The newly ordained Most Rev. Dr. James Toppil who was overwhelmed to see the congregation including state cabinet ministers headed by Chief Minister and former Chief Minister and government officials said their presence gave him confidence and assurance that in his new ministry and mission he is not alone and others are willing to walk beside him and with him adding that their presence is an acknowledgement of the service of the catholic church led by his predecessor, late Bishop Abraham Alangimattathil, SDB who laid a solid foundation and spared no effort for the growth and development of the church and people of Nagaland and Bishop Jose Mukala who continued to build on the foundation laid by Bishop Abraham. “Your presence strengthens Catholic Church’s resolve to be at the service of the people of Nagaland”, he added.
“While the Church and the state are different entities in their nature, scope and function, but shares a common task”, said Rev Thoppil and expressed hope that he can be at the service of the people of Nagaland, in their struggle and progress and development for a better tomorrow. While assuring that catholic community will continue to be at the service of Naga people, he said he looks forward to work in this journey together.
Rev Thoppil also acknowledged the Apostolic Nuncio to India for ordaining him as the Bishop, Rev. Fr. Carlous Neisalhou, the chief coordinator of the Episcopal ordination, Fr. George Punnolil financial administrator of the diocese and all the fathers and sisters, CAN, NCYM members, Youths and the three parishes of Kohima who formed various committees making the day a memorable one. Also he extended his immense gratitude to Archbishop Dominic Lumon for extending his prime concern for the archdiocese on Imphal who never failed to take care of the additional responsibility, looking after the diocese of Kohima at the request of the Pope.
Rev. Thoppil said that he will spare no effort and no stones unturned in building up the church in Nagaland and thus be true to his Episcopal Motto “Doing everything for the Gospel”.
North East regional Bishop’s conference representative and catholic association of Nagaland also spoke on the occasion. The programme was marked by a song by Angami and Zeliangrong Community and presentation from various organizations and individuals. The new Bishop was also accompanied by a host of family members and relatives from Kerela.
The Ordination programme was followed by felicitation programme at the Church compound. Former Chief Minister & Governor Goa Governor, Dr. S.C Jamir, Chief Minister Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and his colleagues and government officials joined along with the rest of the congregation at the Felicitation programme.
Congratulating the newly ordained Rev. James Thoppil, Rio also extended gratitude to the Vatican for appointing the best and experienced Bishop who has vast knowledge about the backward region of India, Nagaland. He expressed positive hope that under the head of the Bishop there will be many indirect beneficiaries receiving humanitarian service be it in the field of social, health and education besides reaching out to the most difficult and remote areas, working for the less privileged people.
Rio also acknowledged the Apostolic Nuncio to India, His Excellency, Salvatore Pennacchio, stating that his presence is a real honor for the State and requests him to support through prayer to bring peace in the State. The Apostolic Nuncio to India His Excellency, Salvatore Pennacchio in his brief address also thanked the dignitaries for their presence which is a sign of appreciation, encouragement and support and assured to be in the mission of Naga People.
The newly ordained Most Rev. Dr. James Toppil who was overwhelmed to see the congregation including state cabinet ministers headed by Chief Minister and former Chief Minister and government officials said their presence gave him confidence and assurance that in his new ministry and mission he is not alone and others are willing to walk beside him and with him adding that their presence is an acknowledgement of the service of the catholic church led by his predecessor, late Bishop Abraham Alangimattathil, SDB who laid a solid foundation and spared no effort for the growth and development of the church and people of Nagaland and Bishop Jose Mukala who continued to build on the foundation laid by Bishop Abraham. “Your presence strengthens Catholic Church’s resolve to be at the service of the people of Nagaland”, he added.
“While the Church and the state are different entities in their nature, scope and function, but shares a common task”, said Rev Thoppil and expressed hope that he can be at the service of the people of Nagaland, in their struggle and progress and development for a better tomorrow. While assuring that catholic community will continue to be at the service of Naga people, he said he looks forward to work in this journey together.
Rev Thoppil also acknowledged the Apostolic Nuncio to India for ordaining him as the Bishop, Rev. Fr. Carlous Neisalhou, the chief coordinator of the Episcopal ordination, Fr. George Punnolil financial administrator of the diocese and all the fathers and sisters, CAN, NCYM members, Youths and the three parishes of Kohima who formed various committees making the day a memorable one. Also he extended his immense gratitude to Archbishop Dominic Lumon for extending his prime concern for the archdiocese on Imphal who never failed to take care of the additional responsibility, looking after the diocese of Kohima at the request of the Pope.
Rev. Thoppil said that he will spare no effort and no stones unturned in building up the church in Nagaland and thus be true to his Episcopal Motto “Doing everything for the Gospel”.
North East regional Bishop’s conference representative and catholic association of Nagaland also spoke on the occasion. The programme was marked by a song by Angami and Zeliangrong Community and presentation from various organizations and individuals. The new Bishop was also accompanied by a host of family members and relatives from Kerela.
Rev Thoppil visit to St. Jospehs’college
Kohima, September 8 (MExN): Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Nagaland visited St. Jospeh’s College in the evening where a short gathering was organized by English department. Exhorting the students, Rev. Thoppil said students being the ray of hope and future of the land and country, he encouraged the students to be enthusiastic, joyful and be energetic in their pursued of knowledge. The Bishop who is nearly 59 years said he felt younger in the midst of young people and urged the students to prepare for life not only intellectually but also spiritually. To care and save mother earth and in commemoration of his visit, he also planted sapling at the college premise.
Kohima, September 8 (MExN): Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Nagaland visited St. Jospeh’s College in the evening where a short gathering was organized by English department. Exhorting the students, Rev. Thoppil said students being the ray of hope and future of the land and country, he encouraged the students to be enthusiastic, joyful and be energetic in their pursued of knowledge. The Bishop who is nearly 59 years said he felt younger in the midst of young people and urged the students to prepare for life not only intellectually but also spiritually. To care and save mother earth and in commemoration of his visit, he also planted sapling at the college premise.
