Catholic village in northeast India marks silver jubilee of existence

A Catholic village in the Archdiocese of Imphal, northeast India, celebrated its silver jubilee of existence.

St George's Church, Phaipijang is one of the smallest Catholic villages in Churachanpur District of Manipur state, northeast India.

The church consists of only six households that celebrated their Silver Jubilee of Catholic faith on March 17.

Father Stephen Baite was the main celebrant of the day with Father Louis Khongsai and Father Mung concelebrated the Mass.

Besides, three nuns, two catechists, the Parish Pastoral Council executives, four to six village chiefs, parish unit representatives, and people who migrated from the village to elsewhere all numbering about 180 attended the event.

After the Mass, there was a short felicitation program, which ended with a sumptuous meal for all present at the function. The village erected a jubilee stone as part of their commemorations.

Speaking on the occasions, the chairman Peter Sumlam, one of the jubilee celebration committees, said, “Our number is very small. We know very little about the Catholic faith. All the same, we love what we know about the Catholic faith."

In 1945, the village had accepted the Christian faith. However, as people's faith could not be strengthened in the faith, they could be swayed away by any doctrine they came along with.

So, in 1986, they were received again in the Salvation Army, a Protestant Christian church, and a charitable organization.

They remained in the faith for ten years, but they came across missionaries of the Catholic faith and showed their desire to join the Catholic faith.

Father George Ginkhosei Baite, parish priest of Phaitoul, along with catechist Dominic Thanglet had received them in the Catholic Church.

Since then, they remained faithful to the teaching of the Catholic Church.

Due to the distance and inaccessibility and road problems, priests from Don Bosco Parish, Churachandpur District, used to visit the village once a year.

Despite these hurdles, without sacraments, they stood the test of time, said Father Stephen Baite.

Since 2014 the village came under St Mary's Parish, Tuibong. They were looked after by the priests from there.

Even their regular visits could not be done. In 2020, as they were three villages within the vicinity of the village, a catechist was stationed to assist them.

Fortunately, in dry season vehicles can reach their village. However, no modern amenities like electricity, water supply, and the like are yet to be implemented.

Many who could afford migrated to different towns and others remained.

Celebration of jubilee becomes a big challenge for the villagers. So, the community invited those people who had migrated from the village both for celebration and seeking their help.

As the village is very backward and poverty-stricken, the parish church contributed much for the celebration with cash and in kind.