Editorial

Could there be better News than this?

Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 09-Oct-2023

When the idea of having the North East Catholic Research Forum (NECARF) was thrown to the North East India Regional Bishops Council (NEIRBC), there were speculations and apprehension among many bishops, perhaps wondering what such an organization could be aiming at. Eventually, our explanation of the objective found favour, and NECARF was accepted as one of the pro-ecclesia organizations of the Catholics in the region. The Bishops Council was also kind enough to appoint a priest, Rev. Fr. Linus Neli, a scholar in Canon Law, Human Rights, and Jurisprudence, as the ecclesiastical advisor of NECARF. Though we were pushed into a virtual mode for the first two years because of COVID 19, Fr. Neli quickly understood the objectives of NECARF. During the first physical conference in August 2022, the advisor submitted his first written observation to the President of NEIRBC. It was a testimony to how well he understood and appreciated the objectives of NECARF.

NECARF is now in its third year, and within this short period, the forum has impressed bishops positively. We have been received as a credible lay organization that could stand by the church in times of need. Our line of actions, including the effort to unite the Catholic organizations of the region in the light of emerging political trends in the country and the effort to counter wrong narratives against Christians in the region through scholarly initiatives, has been appreciated. We have every reason to believe that this welcomed change in mid-set from the bishop’s council found its base in that very observation the advisor submitted to the President of NEIRBC.

Today, Holy Father Pope Francis appoints Rev. Fr. Linus Neli as Archbishop-elect of Imphal Archdiocese, which we feel is a well-deserved elevation. Could there be better news than this for NECARF? Rev. Fr. Linus leaves behind a legacy of excellence wherever he worked. His ability to move the faithful spiritually and also ensure just and efficient administration is well known to many. Apart from holding key positions in the Archdiocese of Imphal, Rev. Fr. Linus enjoys the unique distinction of having worked as Associate Director of the prestigious St. John’s Hospital, Bangalore, and also as the Administrator of CARITAS India in Delhi. In both of these places, he left behind a legacy of someone who was easily approachable and understanding. As we extend our sincere and prayerful wishes to him for a fruitful and rewarding episcopal mission ahead, we also hope that he will continue to stand by NECARF whenever it is necessary. We pray that his positive vibes become infectious within the Bishops Council, of which he will soon be a member.

Make no mistake, the Christian community, particularly the Catholic Church in the region, has rough roads ahead. Though it is well known that Christians are the ones who served the neediest and most downtrodden section of society in the region, there are forces trying to interpret services done to people differently. Such elements are also showing signs of discomfort with the Christian presence and their vouching for a just and equitable system in the country. The education Christian missionaries took to remote corners of the region, extending health services, empowering people through various mediums of outreach, and helping tribals preserve and improve their culture and language through education, is being seen as done with an ulterior motive. It is unfortunate that these sections of society are blinded to the fact that, but for these yeomen services extended by the Christian missionaries, the tribal population in the region would have probably remained disconnected from the mainstream, only to be dubbed untouchables.

The need of the hour therefore is to come together, think as one unit, and improve and nurture our synergy, not with the objective of pursuing aggressive posturing against anyone but to educate ourselves and others on developing social and political trends in this great country and work for peace. Remember, no matter what some may like to say about us, we are first Indians and then Christians. Therefore, as true patriots, we have a duty to uphold the sacred principles enshrined in our constitution. Only then can we be proud of having fully served humanity and living as true witnesses of Christ. In a time when NECARF has a lot at hand, the elevation of our advisor to the position of archbishop is a divine intervention. For in him, another well-wisher shall soon be born within the Bishops Council of the North East region.

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