(September 09, 2011) India’s northeast state of Nagaland received its new bishop
on Thursday when Fr. James Thoppil was ordained Bishop of Kohima by the Apostolic
Nuncio to India, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio. Thousands of people from within
and outside the state attended a colourful Mass and a felicitation ceremony in the
state capital Kohima. Notable members present for the function were Nagaland Chief
Minister of Neiphiu Rio, former Chief Minister of Nagaland and Former Governor of
Goa and Maharashtra, S.C. Jamir, four archbishops, fifteen bishops and several other
civic and Church leaders. In his address to the congregation, the new bishop touched
upon his Episcopal motto and promised to do everything for the Gospel so that society
is permeated with God’s values and is transformed into God’s kingdom day by day.
Addressing the large public gathering in the lawn of the magnificent Catholic Cathedral,
the Chief Minister of Nagaland acknowledged the contribution of Catholic Church to
the state in the areas of education, healthcare and social development, and assured
his support and cooperation in the various activities of the Church in Nagaland.
The new bishop James Thoppil told the dignitaries said that even though Church and
state are different entities in their nature, scope and function, they share a common
task of being at the service of the people of Nagaland. The Diocese of Kohima comprises
the state of Nagaland and has some 58,000 Catholic population with hundreds of priests
and nuns rendering a variety of services.