Kohima: The two days of the conference of the North East India Regional Catholic Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC) was held at Mount Tabor Retreat Hose, Kohima, Nagaland during March 9-12.
The meeting reviewed various aspects of the Life of the Catholic Church in North-East India. One of the important deliberations during the conference was the recent document on ecumenism entitled, “The Bishop and Christian Unity: An Ecumenical Vademecum” by Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
Mr. Elias Lotha, the former president of Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) in his address urged the Church leaders to deliberate on the concerns of the laity in the mission of the Church. In the words of CAN President Johnny Ruangmei, “One of the reasons for the existence of the Catholic Church in N-E India is the role of bishops and they need constant support and prayers”.
The two-day meeting was presided over by the president of NEIRBC, Archbishop John Moolachira; Archbishop of Guwahati. Bishop James Thoppil, the Bishop of Kohima are the secretaries and Fr. G. P. Amalraj is the deputy secretary.
During the conclave of the archbishops and bishops, there was also an interaction with the laity of Kohima diocese at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral Kohima.
NEIRBC is the association of the Catholic church in the North East India comprising of three Archdioceses and 12 dioceses of the region.