By Fr. Felix Anthony –
Borduria (Khonsa): Most Rev. Dennis Panipitchai SDB was ordained as the Auxiliary Bishop of Miao Diocese of Arunachal Pradesh during a solemn and joyful ceremony at Borduria village on 2 August 2018.
Borduria village hosted around 4000 guests from all around the country as it celebrated the Silver Jubilee of the visit of St. Mother Teresa of Kolkata and that of the blessing of the first Church in Arunachal Pradesh with the Episcopal Ordination of the Auxiliary Bishop of Miao Diocese in east Arunachal Pradesh.
Bishop Dennis (60) born in Colachel Parish of Kottar Diocese in Tamil Nadu on 27 July 1958, will assist Most Rev. George Pallipparambil in serving the people of Miao Diocese that covers eight civil districts of east Arunachal Pradesh – Tirap, Longding, Changlang, Namsai, Lohit, Anjaw, Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley districts.
Ordained Priest on 27 December 1991, Bishop Dennis has served in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur in various capacities for the last 27 years.
Pope Francis appointed him as the Auxiliary Bishop of Miao Diocese on 8 June 2018 at the request of Bishop George to cater more to the spiritual, medical, educational and developmental needs of the people of east Arunachal Pradesh.
The Principal Consecrator, Most. Rev. Thomas Menamparampil SDB, the Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati, highlighted how a small event, the baptism of Mr. Wanglat Lowangcha and his family, became a turning point in the life of the Church in Arunachal Pradesh. “God always uses small ways, takes humble steps and chooses simple beginning to bring fulfillment a great plan”, he said addressing a large audience of Bishops, political leaders, public servants, Priests, Nuns, youth and elders from across the country. “What we see today is nothing short of a miracle. A humble seed has become a huge tree. Today with the Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Dennis, we can see the Church is still growing and God’s plan is at work among us.
Bishop George, speaking at the ceremony invited everyone to pray for the new Auxiliary Bishop and for the Diocese to do more service to the people in east Arunachal Pradesh. He also thanked Mr. Wanglat Lowangcha and all others who were both instrumental and supported the growth of the Church in Arunachal Pradesh. He also congratulated the organizing committee, the village leaders and youth of Borduria for their hardwork toward the success the event.
Mr. Wanglin Lowangdong, the Chief of Borduria and Hon’ble MLA and adviser to the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh greeted everyone on this solemn occasion and appreciated the role of the Church in the field of education, healthcare and development of the people of Arunachal Pradesh. He promised to help the Church to further its efforts to serve people better.
The first person who received Baptism in Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. Wanglat Lowangcha, foremer Home Minister of Arunachal Pradesh too spoke on the occasion. He recollected all the difficulties he and his family faced because he received Baptism and how difficult it was to bring Mother Teresa to Arunachal to bless the first Catholic Church on August 2, 1993.
Mr. Tirong Aboh, Hon’ble MLA Khonsa West, Mr. Techu Aran, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Tirap District, Mr. Taw Tebin, President of Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Association, Archbishops of Shillong, Guwahati and Bishops from Itanagar, Dibrugarh, Kohima, Meerut, Jowai, Bongaigaon, Tezpur, Diphu, Tura, Agartala, and Kottar were also present.
The event concluded with felicitation to the newly Ordained Auxiliary Bishop and the dignitaries and short skit on the visit of Mother Teresa to Borduria village 25 years ago.