North East Catholic Research Forum

The North East Catholic Research Forum extends a hearty congratulations to Rt. Rev. Dr. John Thomas, Bishop Emeritus of Itanagar, on his 50th anniversary of priesthood.    **//**    Hearty congratulations to Prof. David Syiemlien and Prof. R. Lalrawna on being honoured with the Padmashri Award for their contributions in the field of literature and education.

Latest from us

Catholic education in India: Is it on the right track?

Opinion | Articles | Albert P'Rayan |

Catholic education in India: Is it on the right track? Catholic educational institutions across the globe are known for enhancing students’ knowledge and skills and developing their overall personalities. In India thousands, including politicians, bure.....

Whose Families are they anyway

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai |

Whose Families are they anyway This piece has been inspired by two recent events. This morning (4th July), I read that “nice guy” Amir Khan was divorcing Kiran Rao, his second wife, of over a decade. The previous day I had read a Vatican News report .....

Folklore and Folktales of the Mao Tribe

Opinion | Articles | A. Kazhiini Mao |

Introduction Every race, tribe or community has a set of beliefs, tales, legend, myth, proverb or sayings which plays a significant role in indicating the uniqueness of their group and their social cultural identity. The Mao, one of the major tribes of t.....

Unceasing Prayer

Opinion | People's Edit | Michael Lunminthang |

Unceasing Prayer The COVID situation gave us different experiences which we might not have come across in normal circumstances. In spite of the unending fear around us, to my surprise, I find myself contemplating more on ‘Prayer’ in my little ways t.....

Denied bail even on Medical ground; Rev. Fr. Stan Swamy dies in his hospital bed

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Late Fr. Stan Swamy, the True Servant of God

The 84 year old Catholic priest and tribal rights activists Stan Swamy passed away on July 5, 2021 afternoon, two days after he was placed on ventilator support in Mumbai’s Holy Family Hospital. He had tested positive for COVID-19 and was shifted out of t.....

Persecution peaks amid impunity in pandemic-era India

Opinion | Articles | John Dayal |

The absolute sense of impunity generated in the administrative apparatus of India by the pandemic lockdowns, and the consequent absence of civil society on the streets and in the courts, has aggravated targeted hate and violence against Christians by non-.....

Thinking Tears that Tears us

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao |

We are all born with tears in our eyes. Our cry is the first sign of life to our caregivers. It is our way of coming into the world. The cry and tears are performative. They mark the distance between us and the world. This marking of distance continues ev.....

Catholics of Zhavame: Faith triumphed over persecution

Opinion | People's Edit | Team NECARF |

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 persecuti.....

Prominent Festivals of Tangkhul Tribe

Current Updates | Culture | TS Shimreingam Angelus |

Nearly a century back, when Christianity, under the denominational name of the American Baptist Mission, reached Tangkhul, the missionaries of foreign origin could not fairly understand the believe and practices of the Tangkhul People, their culture, cust.....

A Mizo Folk Tale - Offering of food and grains to the deceased

Current Updates | Culture | Luke Sangkima |

Long ago once upon a time, there lived two lovers named Tlingi and Ngama. As lovers, they met each other in some undisclosed locations only known to them. One day they agreed to meet near a hillock which both knew. In those days, their village was at war.....

Catholic Church in Manipur supplements Government’s Covid care effort

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

In what may be termed as a major move by the Catholic Church towards combating Covid – 19, the Archbishop of Imphal, Manipur, wrote to a letter to the Government of Manipur on May, 20, 2021, offering to make several Catholic service centres, including a p.....

NECCOD extends a helping hand to Archdiocese Covid Centre

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

NECCOD Vice President and Finance Secretary handing over a Cheque

In the midst of Covid induced hardships that hit every family, members of the North East Catholic Community, Delhi (NECCOD) collected a sum of Rs. 56, 5061 through generous donations and handed over to the DCA Covid Centre project. The cheque was handed o.....

NISCORT Announces three different courses in Journalism and Mass Communication

Education | College | NECARF Rep |

aa

For those Interested in Journalism studies, the above affordable courses comes as a boon.....

Learning, Unlearning and Relearning: Lessons Covid Taught to Mankind

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao |

Coronavirus has put us all into catastrophic and heart-rending conditions. People are dying gasping for breath. But we witnessed in explicable unpreparedness and appalling insensitive on the part of the government, giving priorities to winning elections .....

Editorial

Persecution as an Opportunity

The history of the church is replete with stories of persecution; the crucifixion of Christ itself being the greatest of all. Rome, where the Vatican, the supreme seat of the Pontiff, stands today, in fact was one of the foremost places where Christian pe.....

Weaving a Christian Relationship

His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, in his book, Toward A True Kinship of Faith, wrote, “I have boundless respect for my Buddhist faith, but to see it within the context of its brother and sister religions has afforded me a vision of the grandeur and exten.....

We hope the Church Hierarchy is listening

According to the media report, the son of a pastor, Ramesh Baghel, has been prevented from burying the dead body of his late father in the village cemetery because some Hindutva activists from his village did not allow the burial to take place. He appeale.....

The Twin Pillars of the Catholic Church

Dealing with the differences between the laity and clergy, the two pillars of the church, is a perpetual problem for the Catholic Church. Though the problem is real and sometimes threatens to tear apart the cohesiveness of the synodal church, it has alway.....

It is time Christians learn to read things between the lines

The recent statement from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, proposing a regulatory body to oversee church properties akin to temple boards and waqf boards for Hindus and Muslims, undoubtedly raises concerns. However, given the number of controve.....

Look within, before gazing afar

Pope Francis has already announced the names of 21 new Cardinals who will officially assume the new role on December 8th, 2024. Following their appointment as cardinal-elects, the Holy Father wrote a short but powerful letter to all these men, who would s.....

The AICU needs to explore beyond its current boundaries.

The All India Catholic Union, which is the apex body of lay Catholics in India, was born well ahead of India's independence. It is a union with inclusive representation, upholding the Catholic faithful's mandate from all three rites of the Catholic family.....

Wayanad: Another wakeup calls for Mankind

Wayanad in Kerala is considered to be one of the rural districts in the state that has many attractions: a wildlife sanctuary, lush green forest cover, high altitude comfort, home to animals including Asian elephants, tigers, and leopards, and mesmerizing.....

Democracy has finally triumphed

The Parliamentary Elections 2024 have been one hell of an epic exercise, not because they were conducted in a country known as the world’s largest democracy, but simply because of the manner in which the entire exercise was carried out. Between the first.....

Unleashing Unity: A Synodal Mandate for the Catholic Church in Northeast India

As India engages herself in a general election since April 19th and braces for results on June 4, 2024, the air is thick with anxiety. The potential return of the Modi-led BJP, with its fascist undertones and anti-minority stance, threatens the very fabri.....

Is the CBCI admitting that Catholic Schools are indeed converting people?

Provoked by series of wild allegations on Christian institutes converting students from other religions, the NECARF Review ran an editorial as early as October 2022 under the caption “Forced Conversions: Christian Response to the Allegations." The editori.....

The Silence is deafening

The year 2023 ended somewhat on an unpleasant note for the Catholic Church, as there was a huge controversy over Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops attending a Christmas gathering on an invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Ch.....

Previous Articles

Shikyntien Kwai: A Folklore about Betel Hospitality in Khasi Society

Current Updates | Culture | Philip Lyngdoh

Once upon a time, in the idyllic village of Rangjyrwit that perched daintily on a beautiful hill slope, lived two bosom friends, Nik and Shing. They were companions since childhood and remained inseparable even after they married. Nik came from a rich and.....

Bad Apples, Sad Couples, Glad Tidings

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

Fortunately I belong to a small parish where just a handful of people come for the Sunday evening Mass. It is therefore a time of quiet reflection for me. These reflections then are based on the first two readings of the first Sunday of Lent. The first.....

Electoral Democracy and the Woman Voter

Opinion | Poem | Anthony Dias

Politicians of all ilk on the prowl, find always a way To weaken, even subvert, democracy’s sway When they smell defeat due to anti-incumbency The poor women voters they begin to fancy! If ‘poverty is the biggest environment polluter’ It also is m.....

A Reflection on Christmas

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

Four months ago, I conducted a few sessions during a retreat held at Christeen Retreat Centre, Kottayam, Kerala. The participants consisted of a bishop, priests, nuns and lay Catholics. The topic that I dealt was: Cross, Death and Resurrection. I presente.....

The Khangkhui Mangsor cave of Ukhrul

Current Updates | Culture | TS Shimreingam Angelus

Khangkhui Mangsor Cave is one of the first known caves in Tangkhul area, located between Khangkhui and Nungshong villages. During the World War II, it served as a refugee camp, as it was in the midst of a thick jungle (in those days), with hardly any acce.....

Thomas Ngaihte to Lead a Sixteen Member NECCOD Executive Council

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

In an election conducted by the Election Commission of the North East Catholic Community of Delhi (NECCOD) on Dec. 5, 2021, a sixteen member Executive Council was declared elected, with Thomas Ngaihte, as the President. Ngaihte presently is an Additional .....

Mother Teresa: Saint who taught us Compassion

Opinion | Articles | Cedric Prakash

Today (5 September) is a very special day for the world: it is the Feast Day of Mother Teresa, the Foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. She died on this day in 1997. The Catholic Church throughout the world venerate her as a Saint – and rightly so. F.....

Many faces of Sexual Harassments in Patriarchal Societies

Opinion | Articles | Chitra Ahanthem

It begins at a very young age: ‘sit properly, don’t spread your legs’ they tell us when we are small girls. ‘Girls do not laugh loudly’ they tell you. Then it goes to ‘pull in your chest’. It never stops. Rather, more restrictions get added, there are mor.....

Enhancing life Skills & effective communication for Teachers

Opinion | Articles | Sunny Jacob SJ

“Life skills is a term used to describe a set of basic skills acquired through learning and/or direct life experience that enable individuals and groups to effectively handle issues and problems commonly encountered in daily life” In other words, Life Ski.....

The Cancel Culture

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao

When dissent is silenced, minorities are almost erased; life is castrated and not allowed to bloom to freedom. We have stepped into what has been aptly named as cancel culture. Often cancel culture hides under the cover of a religion, tradition, nationali.....

Totalization, Reining Totalities and the Dialectics of One and the Many

Opinion | Articles | Victor Ferrao

When unity is construed as uniformity, diversity suffocates and dies. There is the diversal in the universal. Both sameness and otherness co-exists in the real. This is why what is universal cannot be reduced to sameness. When unity becomes uniformity, i.....

Current Updates

Christian Today in Conversation with Dr. John Dayal.

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

As India marks its 76th Republic Day, the Christian community faces what many describe as an unprecedented crisis of religious freedom. Recent appeals to both President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paint a troubling picture: over 720 in.....

Statement of Concerned Catholics

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

On Thursday 4 April 2024, Pope Francis in a very incisive message to the participants in the First Colloquium between the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in the Vatican said, “We n.....

Pope Francis says he is frightened by escalation in war

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Pope Francis in an interview

In an interview on an Italian TV program, Pope Francis laments the risk of escalation in war, says he has no plans to resign, announces Apostolic Journeys to Polynesia and to Argentina, and reflects on ‘Fiducia supplicans’, saying “the Lord blesses everyo.....

Our Baptism made us children of God: Pope Francis

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Pope Francis during Sunday Angelus

During his Sunday Angelus on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Francis reminds faithful that the day they were baptized, we became children of God forever, and this date of great grace must be remembered and celebrated. At our Baptism, we became.....

Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil receives World Peace Award 2023

NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Archbishop Menamparampil receiving the award

Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, whose name is synonymous with a crusader of ‘Peace and Reconciliation’, has been awarded the prestigious Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam World Peace Award 2023 on the occasion of the United Nations International H.....

Synodal myopia in the light of Synodality in the family and apostolates

Editorial Pick | Editorial team |

Recent statements by prominent ecclesiastics raise important questions about certain assumptions that isolate synodality from theological, ecclesiological, canonical, and practical realities.(The Catholic World Report) This essay is occasioned by (1) the.....

Education

Step in to the World of Journalism and Mass Media

College | NECARF Rep |

Niscort Media College

For those who aspire for the world of Mass media.....

Avail Early Bird Discount in Media Studies

College | NECARF Rep |

Admission Notice

NISCORT, one of the Premier Media Colleges in the National Capital area, announces admission for several graduate and post-graduate level courses in Media studies. Interested students may visit www.niscort.com for details......

NISCORT Announces three different courses in Journalism and Mass Communication

College | NECARF Rep |

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For those Interested in Journalism studies, the above affordable courses comes as a boon.....

NICORT Media College Announces Short Courses in Media fields

College | NECARF Rep |

Annoucment

NICORT Media College Announces Short Courses in Media fields.....

For those interested to make a Career in Mass Media and Journalism, NISCORT provides the opportunity

College | NECARF Rep |

NISCORT opens Admissions for Course in Mass Media and Journalism

NISCORT opens Admissions for Course in Mass Media and Journalism.....

NISCORT Online Course

College | NECARF Rep |

Online Media Course Details

NISCORT is conducting an Online Certificate Course in Media for Grauates. Those interested to join may contact the Institute.....

Opinion

Changing the Religious and Cultural Landscape of the Northeast through Saffronization

Articles | Pamreihor Khashimwo |

Abstract The religious and cultural landscape of Northeast India has undergone significant transformations due to the increasing influence of Hindutva ideology, often referred to as Saffronisation. This process, driven by organisations affiliated with th.....

Fails, Ails & Travails

Articles | Chhotebhai |

These words are not just a rhyme; there is reason behind them – fails, ails and travails. I use them in the context of the church in India and more specifically the Catholic Church. Looking at its grandiose institutions, wealth and prestige one could wond.....

Persecution as an Opportunity

Editorial | John S. Shilshi |

The history of the church is replete with stories of persecution; the crucifixion of Christ itself being the greatest of all. Rome, where the Vatican, the supreme seat of the Pontiff, stands today, in fact was one of the foremost places where Christian pe.....

No Other Land

Articles | Cedric Prakash |

Many years ago, there was a popular American song which one gustily sang at camps, picnics and other get-togethers. Thanks to its very catchy tune, it was always a hit. The chorus of the lyrics went thus: “This land is your land, and this land is my land.....

Saluting Zakia Jafri: Remembering the Gujarat Carnage 2002

Articles | Cedric Prakash |

February will always be a painful month for some particularly the Jafri family: on 28 February 2002, Ehsan Jafri, a former Member of Parliament and an authentic and much-loved citizen of secular India was murdered; on 1 February 2025, his wife Zakiaben wa.....

Pope Francis is a Miracle

Articles | M L Satyan |

At the age of 88 pope Francis is battling with his life. The health complications he is facing are indeed of grave concern for the doctors. His critical condition has caused grief to not only the Catholics but also to all the people of this world. Pope.....

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