Shillong celebrates Platinum Jubilee

(October 31, 2009) The archdiocese of Shillong, which was once the base of mission in northeast India, celebrates 75 years of its existence with a host of programmes beginning November 1^st. Salesain Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong said part of the celebrations would honour couples who have completed golden jubilee of marriage and those celebrating silver jubilee this year. He said this November 6 program was to stress family as the most important unit of society and of the Church. Meghalaya Governor R.S. Mooshahary, chief minister D.D. Lapang and deputy chief minister B.M. Lanong would be among guests attending the Nov. 7 concluding programs of the week-long celebrations. Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, the Apostolic Nuncio in India and Father Pascual Chavez Villanueva, the superior general of the Salesians of Don Bosco would join celebrations. Salesian missioneries led the evangelization of the hilly tribal dominated seven states in the region, since 1921 when the area was entrusted to them. Shillong diocese was created in 1951 and over the years was divided several times to create more dioceses as the Church grew faster. In 1969 it was made Shillong-Guwahati archdiocese, and was further divided in 1992 to create Guwahati diocese. During the past 75 years, the Church has grown and spread all over Northeast India. The Church has 15 dioceses, each owing its initial mission to the Church based in Shillong.