People's Edit
Catholics of Zhavame: Faith triumphed over persecution
Opinion | People's Edit | Team NECARF | 15-Jun-2021
Pioneer Catholic Leaders of Zhavame village, Nagaland
This poignantly touching story of grit and determination shown by the early Catholics of Zhavame village in Nagland, was carried in the publication of the 9th Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement Convention. We picked not because it tells stories of persecution in cruelest manners, but because it exemplified how faith conquered hatred and triumphed as ‘a light to the nations’ (Isaiah: 49:6). We picked the story not to encourage vengeance or bear grudge, but to throw light that faith cannot be extinguished by use of physical force and intimidation. We picked because the story inspires. (Team NECARF)
The seed of Catholic faith was sown in Zhavame village on 18th October, 1964 when a group of traders Mr. Akha, Mr. Tho-o, Mr. Theba and Mr. Thesii came across Mr. Panii of Liyai village from Mao Parish on their journey to Imphal. They embraced the Catholic Faith and approached Rev. Fr. Bemick SDB, the then Parish Priest of Kohima, who sent a group of young faithful under the leadership of Mr. Sousahie Philip to teach them the Doctrine of the Church in 1965. In the following year, a Church was built and on 20th March, Rev. Fr. Bemick dedicated it to St. Francis Xavier. During this time, the first eleven members were also baptized.
However, the foundation of Catholic Church in Zhavame was not without any challenges. Anti-Catholic activities emerged breeding tension and uneasiness. As a result, Mr. Akha was arrested by the Naga Army on 18th December, 1966 while he was preparing a feast for the newly founded Catholic family for the coming Christmas Day. He was thrown into a dungeon 6 feet in breadth, 8 feet in length and 4 feet in depth near Khomi Village, which was one of the company Headquarters of the Naga Army. In exchange of his faith for his own life and that of his family, he returned home on Christmas Eve of 1966. This, however was just the beginning. On 17th July, 1967 Mr. Sasii Dukru, Mekho Nukhu, Nasu Dukru, Thekhru Dukru and Tho-o Domeh were arrested by the Naga Army and were thrown into the dungeon leaving them to survive with just one minimum meal a day for 89 days, with a break after 58 days.
Notwithstanding to the above, Mr. Thekhru Dukru lost his most beloved wife Paone, Mr. Sasii and Mr. Limo Dukru too never had the chance to bid goodbye to their father Rhipri Dukru. In the face of all these, prayer was their only solace. Having learnt about the persecution of his newly baptized folk, the then Bishop of Dibrugarh, Most Rev. Hubert Rosario along with Rev. Fr. Bernick visited the village. He gave them the Sacrament of Confirmation and assured that he would build a church and a school in memory of their faith on 29th November, 1967. As promised, a new Church was built and blessed in 1970, celebration for which was sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Zao Nukhu.
They received their confirmation on 29th November, 1967 and were further joined by Mr. Khanyi Dukru and Mr. Limo Dukru, increasing the number of members to 7. Coincidentally, they were supposed to report to the Army Camp on the same day. On reaching the camp at around 6 pm, they were served with rigorous punishments. This made them even more determined in their faith. On 7th January, 1968 they were judged by Gen. Pokrove Nakro of the Federal Government of Nagaland from Pholami Village. With the intention to contain the Catholic Faith, he directed them to give up their faith for at least 3 years (for fear of more conversion). To this, Mr. Sasii Dukru agreed with a condition saying, “If you can promise that none of us will die within those three years”. Taken aback, he could not give any assurance.
The matter was subsequently brought to the knowledge of Dr. Aram and his Peace Mission members. In their pursuit for justice, they met Mr. Zasheyi, President, Federal Government of Nagaland, who vehemently denied their involvement. Embarrassed, the persecutors spread a rumour that the arrest and imprisonment was on account of cow theft from Manipur State-in the middle of 1950. But the truth prevailed and they were released on 25th January, 1968 (these atrocities were carried out under the command and leadership of Lt. Nuhei and Mr. Yevecho of Khomi Village who were the then captain and Razoupeyou of the Naga army respectively).
The Catholic roots strengthened with all these hardships and spread to the neighboring villages of Zelome, Tsupfume, Chizami Thenyizumi and is still growing. And to further assimilate the Catholic Faith, Mr. P. Paul Dukru, Mr. Akha John Shupao and Mr. Salunyi Joseph' Shupao were sent for pastoral training sponsored by Catholic Mission. To this day, Mr. P. Paul Dukru and Mr. Salunyi Joseph Shupao continue to serve the Lord and His Mission. With the ever-growing members of the Catholic Faith it was necessary to have a larger Church building and so under the leadership of Mr. Rhipri Rapheal Nukhu the Catechist. A new Church was built and blessed, dedicating it to the Lord by Rt. Rev. Abraham, Bishop of Kohima on 24th January, 1993 coinciding with the belated Silver Jubilee on 25th January, 1993.
A tremendous test of faith was placed before the faithful when the beautiful Church was burnt down due to short circuit on 18th October, 2014. But miraculously the “Crucifix" survived the fire even though everything was burnt down to ashes, giving a ray of hope to the grief-stricken Catholic Community of Zhavame. The same crucifix is preserved in the Church as reminder to the future generation. One cannot deny the miraculous plan and blessing of God even in the midst of great tragedy. Despite such a misfortune the community did not lose hope. With confidence they prayed and decided to gather all possible resources to rebuild the Church even before the golden jubilee celebrations. Generous individuals, associations and churches came forward to help materially in kind and in cash, morally and spiritually. The diocese of Kohima with the assistance of two Church agencies came in a big way to help by giving Rs. 45,00,000.00 for the reconstructions.
With faith and trust the community decided to go ahead with the golden jubilee preparations. Accordingly on 14th January, 2015. Rev. Fr. Nestor Guria SDB, the Provincial of Dimapur Province and Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou Kuotsu, the Vicar General of the Diocese of Kohima inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Year and laid the foundation of the new Church Building respectively. Even though the Church construction was not fully completed, on 10th January, 2016, the Community celebrated its Golden Jubilee and the new Church was blessed by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, the Bishop of Kohima on 10th December 2016. Today Zhavame community is a very active and vibrant community and it is blessed with 2 Priests. 11 Nuns and 5 brothers.
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