People's Edit

He called it a Day finally

Opinion | People's Edit | Khansu Vialo Zingkhai | 14-Dec-2020

Rev. Fr. MC John

Rev. Fr. MC John

Passport Photo for Khansu Vialo Zingkhai

He called it a day on the 18th of November 2020, in the Archdiocese of Imphal, Manipur, a place he had chosen as his turf to be a Pencil in the hands of God, so that his Creator could write through him. That was Rev. Fr. MC John, born on 8th February 1940, in Karimkunnam, Kerala, the second son of Mr. (L) Chandy Maveliputhenpurayil and Mrs. (L) Aley Mavelipythenpurayil. He was ordained a priest on 19th December 1968, at St. Joseph’s Parish, Sugnu, Manipur, then under the Archdiocese of Dibrugarh. The inevitable journey began on 3rd November, when Rev. Fr. MC John was admitted to the Catholic Medical Center, Koirengei, Imphal, due to complications in his health. After few days of continued treatment, on the 7th November, Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, Archbishop of Imphal administered to him the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. On two occasions, Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) for COVID 19 was conducted while he was in the hospital, where he tested negative. In the third one conducted on 16th November, he was found to be COVID19 positive. As per advice of the Doctors, Fr. MC John was shifted to the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Porompat, late evening of the same day. Despite efforts of the Medical team to revive him, his condition deteriorated and breathed his last at around 8.30 am.

Rev. Fr. MC John held the distinction of being the first priest to be ordained in St. Joseph’s Parish, Sugnu, a tiny town tugged in the suburbs of Chandel and Thoubal districts of Manipur. As a veteran missionary, he toured the villages under his care on foot extensively at a time when means of transport and communications were non-existent in many places. He had the privilege of serving the people and the Church in Manipur during his glorious 52 years of Priesthood, in the following capacities:

 

  1. 1968 : Ordained (19th December)
  2. 1969 – 1971 : Assistant Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish, Hundung (Hungpung)
  3. 1971 – 1975 : Assistant Parish Priest, St. Joseph’s Parish, Sugnu
  4. 1975 – 1984 : Parish Priest, Sacred Heart Parish, Hundung (Hungpung)
  5. 1984 – 1991 : Parish Priest, Good Shepherd Parish, Churachandpur
  6. 1991 – 1995 : Rector, St. Thomas Seminary, Mantripukhri
  7. 1995 – 1999 : Director, Catholic Medical Centre (CMC), Koirengei
  8. 1999 – 2003 : Parish Priest, Mary Help of Christians Parish, Ukhrul
  9. 2003 – 2006 : Director, Catholic Relief Service (CRS), Sangaiprou, Imphal
  10. 2006 – 2020 : Priests’ Home (Retired Life)

Rev. Fr. MC John was known for endearing people easily, his affable nature being his greatest asset.  He was an able administrator who micro-managed the Church, Parish and School affairs efficiently. He loved serving people and took immense pleasure in taking care of his guests. During his entire missionary journey, he personified someone who cared, loved and served people with a smile, no matter what the circumstances were. After many years of active service, he retired from active ministry in 2006 and since then made the Priests’ Home, Mantripukhri his home till he breathed his last. In his demise, the Archdiocese of Imphal has indeed lost a veteran a missionary, a noble and warm human being and above, all a committed priest. Archbishop Most Rev. Dominic Lumon, and the entire Catholic community of the Archdiocese of Imphal, is grateful to the family members of Late Rev. Fr. MC John for gifting their beloved son to the Church in Manipur.

(The Author is a Priest in the Archdiocese of Imphal. He can be reached on vialksu@gmail.com)

Leave a comment

Loading...