Arunachal had the first encounter with
Christianity with the coming of the French Missionaries Krick and Bourry who were martyred in Somme Village in Lohit District in 1854.The arrival of
Salesian Missionaries in Assam latter in 1921 was a landmark in the history of
the Church as Religious and educational institutions of the Church gradually
welcomed the people of the region to a new life of faith and all-round
development. Contacts by students of Arunachal Pradesh in Colleges in Shillong
in Meghalya and Assam gradually opened the way for faith in Arunachal Pradesh.
Then Rector of Don Bosco Shillong, later Bishop of Dibrugarh and then became
Archbishop of Guwahati, Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil’s contact with
Mr. Wanglat Lowangcha, a young tribal chief became a
turning point in the history of the Church in Arunachal Pradesh.
Under
the guise of preserving the tribal cultures, the then lt. Governor K A Raja and
others introduced and passed the slyly worded “indigenous faith act” in 1978.
The “innerline permit” was made more stringent. All these were done mainly to
keep Christianity away from the tribes, since some young men who had found good
schools in the neighbouring tribal states had gone there, got educated and some
of them had become Christians. The draconian law imposed stringent punishment
on those who were converted. It became impossible for any missionary to enter
or contact any person. Many were arrested, jailed, tortured, deprived of jobs
and scholarships, many thatched churches burnt and crucifixes broken and Bibles
burnt. Even Mother Theresa’s repeated pleas to visit Arunachal were not heeded
by the state and central governments. The Holy Spirit had his way and he
inspired people and they turned to the Lord inspite of all the persecutions
making the church in Arunachal a modern day miracle. We bow before the pioneers
who literally sacrificed their “today for our tomorrow”.
Bishop Robert Kerketta and Bishop Thomas
established catechetical and educational institutions at
Naharkatia and Tinsukia in Assam for the training of Catechists and youth
leaders of East Arunachal. Fr. Job Kallarackal SDB pioneered missionary
work in Tirap from the Parish at Naharkatia, Assam. He brought some Noctes and Wanchos to the Faith in spite of many kinds
of difficulties.
After him Fr. George Pallipparambil SDB, now
Bishop of the Diocese of Miao took up the reins. His years of contact with the
Arunachal Students and Officials in Shillong had made him known to many in
Arunachal. His first appointment as the Rector of Bosco Bible School (BBS) at
Tinsukia, brought him closer to the Arunachal Apostolate. BBS trained youth
leaders and catechists of Arunachal, who later became zealous lay evangelizers. In fact they sowed the seeds of Catholic
faith in Arunachal.
With the establishment of the first Catholic
Mission, School and Hostel as well as the construction of the first ‘pakka’
(Concrete) Church at Borduria in June 1992, Fr. George became the first
resident Priest in Arunachal. Mr. George Nedumala and Miss Martha Mao joined
him in July the same year. He worked with lay leaders and catechists for the
spread of the Gospel in the Region. He invited trained Catechists,
educators, youth animators and developmental agencies for improving the
religious, social and economic conditions of the people along with other
zealous missionaries.
 |
| Bishop George Pallipparambil SDB, the First Bishop of Miao Diocese |
In the year 1992, the Missionaries of Charity
opened their convent at Borduria to look
after the poor and the needy. On August 2, 1993, Blessed Mother Teresa visited
Borduria on the occasion of the Consecration of the Parish Church. This created
history as that was the Saint’s first and only visit to Arunachal Pradesh, “in
spite of many requests to various governments” in her own words. Health and
social welfare activities gained momentum as the local leaders officially
started and registered Seva Kendra in 1990. In the years that followed, many religious
congregations came to Arunachal. Bishop Joseph Aind SDB DD whole heartedly
supported the expansion of faith by establishing new centres for the people.
In the year 1997, he appointed Father P K
George as the coordinator of Church activities of East Arunachal. Father P K
was based at the Literature Centre, Khonsa, Tirap District and travelled
extensively strengthening people’s faith and contacting various leaders. He
initiated the works at Kanubari, Rajanagar, Nampong, Roing, Deomali, Kheti, Lazu,
Tezu, Neotan, Miao and Changlang. The number of mission stations is growing
ever since Pope Benedict XVI erected the diocese of Miao on December 7,
2005 with Rev. George Pallipparambil SDB, as its first Bishop. The
Episcopal Ordination took place on 26th February 2006 at Miao.
DIOCESE OF MIAO AT A GLANCE
Origin :
7th December 2005
Patron of the Diocese :
Christ the Light
Area : 43,955 Sq. Km
Total Population : 4,83,500
Total Number of Catholics : 87,698
Languages Spoken : English, Hindi, Assamese, and many
Local Dialects
Parishes & Mission Stations :
41
Diocesan Priests : 27
Religious Priests : 56
Religious Brothers : 05
Religious Sisters : 122
Seminarians :
36
Formation House : 1
Schools :
34
Degree College :
1
Primary Health Centres : 15
Diocesan Voice : News Beam
Website :
www.miaodiocese.com
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