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.

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Sikkim Catholics Met for a Eucharistic Celebration amidst Lockdown

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Holy Mass at St. Peters Church, Gangtok

After seven months of isolation due to the pandemic, the Parishioners of St. Peter's Church, Gaucharan, Gangtok, East Sikkim district, finally broke the silence by organizing a Eucharistic celebration on September 27, 2020, strictly observing all the form.....

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

Education | College | NECARF Rep |

NISCORT opens Admissions for Course in Mass Media and Journalism

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

Equality and Dignity of Citizenship

Opinion | Articles | Felix Machado |

Introduction Certainly, we are all born equal and we all possess the God given dignity. Our right to equality and to our dignity have been given to us by God and we belong to God alone. The Second Vatican Council declared: “A sense of the dignity of th.....

The Uniqueness of the Manipuri Muslims

Opinion | Articles | Irene Salam |

It is extremely common in Manipur to bracket the Meiteis (the largest indigenous community of the Manipur Valley who profess Hinduism, albeit with a mixture of their primeval religion Sanamahism) with the Meitei Pangals who profess Islam. Who are the Meit.....

A Brief History of Roman Catholic Church in Mizoram

Opinion | Articles | Luke Sangkima |

In the history of Christianity in North East India, Mizoram is one state where the faith entered very late on its soil as compared to other neighboring states. In this region, the advent of Christianity followed the British flag, except in the Ao area of .....

The Emerging Cultic Churches

Opinion | People's Edit | G.L. Khing |

The term ‘cult’ refers to a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object. All religions are cultic in nature, yet the object of worship is God. A diversion from this true worship leads to erroneous cult where .....

Be the Stainless White Cassock

Opinion | People's Edit | Joseph M Thohrii |

It was one of those hot and humid middle of June, 2014 that I reached at the entrance gate of St. Mary’s Church, Rippon street, Kolkata where I spend one year of my weekends ministry during my Theology days at Morning Star Regional Seminary, Barrackpore......

U Sier Lapalang and His Beloved Mother: A Khasi Folk Tale

Current Updates | Culture | Philip Lyngdoh |

In the days of long ago, when the Sun and the Moon were still young and the trees and stones still speak the language of the humans, at the foot of the hills beyond the Khasi country, lay the placid plains of the Ri Dkhar (Bangla plains). Rivers and strea.....

NECARF Member Takes Charge as India's Ambassador to Ethiopia

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Robert Shetkintong Dilbung

Robert Shetkintong, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer of 2001 batch, has been appointed India's Ambassador to the Republic of Ethiopia, as per official communiqué issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on August 18, 2020. He is presently p.....

NECCOD Engages Its Members with Online Activities

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Holy Mass during Lockdown with scaled down participation

With COVID-19 bringing the entire World to grinding halt, India too closeted into homes from the last week of March, 2020, with the objective of staying away from the unseen human enemy. This made life very difficult for people from the North East residin.....

Arunachal Youth Set Up Street Library to Instill Reading Habits

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Street Library in Nirujului

The lockdown caused by the pandemic has silver lining too. It has led people to think out of the box to be useful to the society. A youth from a small town called Nirujlui in Arunachal Pradesh has set up a ‘Street Library’ with just a rack loaded with boo.....

St. Paul’s Parish, Pallel Extends Covid Relief

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep |

Relief Committee members with a Beneficiary

The Pandemic spares no one, but hit the poor the hardest. In St. Paul’s Parish, Pallel, under the Diocese of Imphal, there are 2252 members spread across 18 Villages belonging Lamkang, Moyon, Monsang, Chothe and Marings tribes. In all these villages, the .....

Congratulations

Current Updates | Letters To The Editor |

Dear Sir, I would like to extend my hearty congratulations to you and your team for coming up with this website, which is so informative. Some Articles from the senior people are wonderful material of study, and would come a long way I helping those who.....

NISCORT Online Course

Education | 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.....

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

Dangers of a post-Christian world

Opinion | Articles | Chhotebhai

Dangers of a post-Christian world I recently read an article “Why are Christians Persecuted Today?” by Mumbai Jesuit Myron Pereira. It was a brilliant analysis that, unfortunately, offered no solutions. It forced me to think. Are we indeed living in wh.....

Marching along with the Risen Lord

Opinion | Articles | Myron J Pereira

Even a cursory reading of the Gospels leads us to encounter a Jesus who is always on the move. As an itinerant preacher who scarcely had a place to lay his head and whose message of healing was given to all — especially to the sick and the dispossessed —.....

Religiosity Versus Spirituality

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

Religiosity Versus Spirituality A few days ago, I read a news report about four nuns of a religious congregation taking their final vows. The report mentioned that these nuns were trained by a priest on “deep spirituality” as per the bishop who celebra.....

Easter: The life of God's Spirit within us

Opinion | People's Edit | Myron J Pereira

Easter, like Christmas, is full of symbols — empty tombs with angels around, soldiers falling down helplessly, eggs, lilies, empty crosses on the Calvary hill. Why is this so? Whenever we touch a truth too intense for words, we use symbols. We cry, we dan.....

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.....

St. Xavier’s University all set to be established in Meghalaya

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

With the approval of the St Xavier’s University Bill, 2020 by the Cabinet of Meghalaya Government on November 5, 2020, the Jesuits are all set to establish a University in the state of Meghalaya. The St. Xavier’s University, which would be managed by the .....

Chaplain Embraces Native American Spirituality

Current Updates | Editorial Pick | Editorial team

Chaplain Embraces Native American Spirituality Susann Estle God is not a Christian, God is not a Jew, or a Muslim, or a Hindu, or a Buddhist. All of those are systems which human beings have created to help us walk into the mystery of God. I honor my t.....

Mantra for a stress-free life is ‘Just to leave it’

Opinion | Articles | M L Satyan

We have been boasting of our science, technology, military and weapon power. Every country has been spending enormous amount of money for procuring arms, weapons and nuclear power. Our human pride, our imagined self-importance, status and money power, the.....

Tuki Writes to CM Arunachal Pradesh on Buddhists objection to construction of a Church

Current Updates | NE Brief | NECARF Rep

In a significant move, Nabam Tuki, former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, wrote to Pema Khandu, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, resolve the differences between Buddhist and Christian community of Tawang district, which erupted due to objections .....

Fails, Ails & Travails

Opinion | 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.....

Need to Uphold Human Rights in our Homes

Opinion | Articles | Myron J Pereira

For almost all of human history, most men and women had no rights, only duties. You had to be born rich and powerful, a member of the "right" caste, race, class, sex, or religion to have rights at all. And even then, the whim of a local monarch or the mis.....

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.....

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.....

Education

Step in to the World of Journalism and Mass Media

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Niscort Media College

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

Avail Early Bird Discount in Media Studies

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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

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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

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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.....

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