Archdiocese of Shillong
 | This article includes a list of general references but lacks corresponding inline citations. (July 2019) |
Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong Archidioecesis Shillongensis Ka Jyllaniam Bah Shillong | |
|---|---|
 Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Territory | East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi District |
| Episcopal conference | "Conference of Catholic Bishops of India" |
| Ecclesiastical region | The North Eastern Regional Bishops' Council |
| Ecclesiastical province | Province of Shillong |
| Metropolitan | Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong |
| Subdivisions | 8 zones |
| Headquarters | Archbishop House, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah, Shillong |
| Statistics | |
| Area | 5,196 km2 (2,006 sq mi) |
Population
|
|
| Parishes | 49 |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Sui iuris church | Latin Church |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Established | 1890 |
| Cathedral | Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians in Shillong |
| Patron saint | Mary Help of Christians |
| Secular priests | 189 |
| Language | Khasi , English |
| Calendar | Gregorian calendar |
| Current leadership | |
| Parent church | "Diocese of Krishnagar" |
| Pope | Leo XIV |
| Metropolitan Archbishop | Victor Lyngdoh |
| Auxiliary Bishops | Bernard Laloo |
| Map | |
 | |
| Website | |
| archdioceseofshillong | |
The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong (Latin: Shillongensis) is a Catholic archdiocese with its jurisdiction in the two district of Ri Bhoi and East khasi Hills State of Meghalaya, in northeastern India. The Archdiocese of Shillong is also the metropolitan diocese of the Province of Shillong, an ecclesiastical province in Northeast India. It serves 346,060 followers in 49 parishes under 8 zones in the 2 districts. The rural parishes are usually divided into sub districts and further into "Balang shnong" or village churches (which are further divided into blocks for better management ) while urban parishes are divided into CMCs and balang dong in the district. The Archdiocese usually organised programmes, teaching and worship at Diocese level, Zonal Level, Parish level, CMC (Catholic Managing Committee)/ village level and Small Christian communities or Kynhun Balang barit (KBB).
History
[edit]- Established on 15 December 1889 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Assam on territory split off from the Diocese of Krishnagar
- 9 July 1934: Promoted as Diocese of Shillong
- Lost territory on 12 July 1951 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dibrugarh
- Lost territory on 16 January 1964 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tezpur
- 26 June 1969: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gauhati–Shillong
- 22 January 1970: Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong–Gauhati
- Lost territory on 1 March 1973 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tura
- Lost territory on 5 December 1983 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Diphu
- Lost territory on 30 March 1992 and renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong to establish the now Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guwahati
- Lost territory on 28 January 2006 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nongstoin
- Lost territory on 28 January 2006 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jowai
Cathedral
[edit]The cathedral of the Archdiocese is the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, in Shillong. It was built over 50 years ago. This place of worship stands on the very site of the first Church built by the German fathers (Salvatorians from Germany).
The earlier 1913 building – the Church of the Divine Saviour – was a wooden structure. It was destroyed in the Good Friday fire of 10 April 1936. Built by the first Catholic missionaries to set foot on these hills, the Salvatorians from Germany, it was the first Catholic Cathedral in what was then the Mission of Assam.
Ordinaries
[edit]The Catholic Church's presence in the northeastern region of India, particularly in Assam and Meghalaya, has been marked by a succession of ecclesiastical leaders. Beginning with Apostolic Prefects overseeing the early missionary efforts, the hierarchy evolved to include bishops and later metropolitan archbishops.
Apostolic Prefects of Assam
- Fr. Otto Hopfenmüller, Salvatorians (S.D.S.) (1890)
- Fr. Angelus Münzloher, (S.D.S.) (1890 - 1906)
- Fr. Cristoforo Becker, (S.D.S.) (1906 – 1921)
- Fr. Louis Mathias, S.D.B. (15 December 1922 – 9 July 1934 see below)
- Bishops of Shillong
- Louis Mathias, S.D.B. (see above 9 July 1934 – 25 March 1935), later Metropolitan Archbishop of Madras (India) (1935.03.25 – 1952.11.13) and Metropolitan Archbishop of (renamed) Madras and Mylapore(India) (1952.11.13 – 1965.08.02)
- Stephen Ferrando, S.D.B. (26 November 1935 – 26 June 1969); previously Bishop of Krishnagar (India) (1934.07.09 – 1935.11.26), later Titular Archbishop of Troina (1969.06.26 – 1978.06.21)
- Metropolitan Archbishops of Gauhati–Shillong
- Hubert D Rosario, S.D.B. (1969.06.26 – 1970.01.22 see below), previously Bishop of Dibrugarh (India) (1964.07.06 – 1969.06.26)
- Metropolitan Archbishops of Shillong – Gauhati
- Hubert D’Rosario, S.D.B. (as above 26 June 1969 – 30 March 1992 see below)
- Metropolitan Archbishops of Shillong
- Hubert D’Rosario, S.D.B. (as above 30 March 1992 – 30 August 1994)
- Tarcisius Resto Phanrang, S.D.B. (2 August 1995 – 5 May 1999), previously Titular Bishop of Corniculana & Auxiliary Bishop of Shillong (India) (1990.06.11 – 1995.08.02)
- Dominic Jala, S.D.B. (22 December 1999 – 10 October 2019)
- Victor Lyngdoh[1] , Diocesan (28 December 2020 – Present) , previously Bishop of Nongstoin and Jowai Dioceses
- Bernard Laloo[2] , Diocesan (March 30, 2025 - Present ) , Auxiliary Bishop
Ecclesiastical Province of Shillong
[edit]The Shillong Archdiocese serves not only as an ecclesiastical seat but also as the metropolitan Archdiocese of the Shillong province. A province within the Catholic Church is a grouping of dioceses under the authority of an archbishop. In the case of the Shillong province, it comprises the Shillong Archdiocese itself, along with the Tura Diocese, Aizawl Diocese, Agartala Diocese, Jowai Diocese, and Nongstoin Diocese. This arrangement reflects the hierarchical structure of the Church, wherein archbishops oversee the administration and spiritual welfare of multiple dioceses within their respective province.
The Archbishop of Shillong though have no ruling power over the other dioceses but in disputes within a diocese of the province, the diocese may seek assistance from the metropolitan archdiocese of their ecclesiastical province where the metropolitan Archbishop may intervene under canon law.
The Province of Shillong comprises the following suffragan dioceses that has Shillong as its metropolitan see:
Parishes
[edit]The Archdiocese of Shillong comprises 49 parishes divided into 8 zones :
| Zone | Church Name | Parish | Year Established | Ecclesiastical Administration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | St. Dominic Savio Church[3] | Mawlai | 1938 | Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) |
| St. Joseph's Church | Mawkhar | 1951 | Diocesan | |
| Sts. Peter and Paul Church | Pynthorumkhrah | 1997 | Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) | |
| Church of the Visitation | Mawprem | 2002 | Diocesan | |
| St. Anne's Church | Mawtawar | 2024 | Society of the Divine Saviour (SDS) | |
| Our Lady of Holy Rosary Church | Mawïong | 2024 | Diocesan | |
| Zone 2 | Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians | Laitumkhrah | 1890 | Diocesan |
| St. Paul's Church | Upper Shillong | 1965 | Diocesan | |
| St. John the Apostle Church | Laban | 1974 | Diocesan | |
| Divine Saviour Church | Nongthymmai | 1974 | Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) | |
| Mary Queen of Peace Church | Mawñianglah | 2024 | Diocesan | |
| Mary Mother of Hope Church | Rangbihbih-Pomlakrai | 2026 | Diocesan | |
| Zone 3 | St. John Bosco Shrine | Sohra | 1931 | Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) |
| Resurrection Church | Pynursla | 1957 | Diocesan | |
| Blessed Sacrament Church | Laitlyngkot | 1983 | Diocesan | |
| Mary Queen of Peace Church | Laitkroh | 2003 | ||
| Sts. Peter and Paul Church | Laitkynsew | 2004 | Society of the Divine Saviour (SDS) | |
| St. Mother Teresa Church | Nongshyrngan | 2016 | ||
| Zone 4 | U Khrist Jingshai Church | Marbisu | 1950 | Diocesan |
| St. Francis Xavier's Church | Mawsynram | 1976 | Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (CMF) | |
| Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Church | Dangar | 1993 | ||
| St. George's Church | Wahlang | 2002 | ||
| Sacred Heart Church | Diengïei | 2007 | ||
| St. Stephen Church | Sawsymper | 2008 | ||
| Zone 5 | Good Shepherd Church | Jongksha | 1972 | Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC) |
| Holy Cross Church | Mawkynrew | 1987 | Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC) | |
| Divine Mercy Church | Mawryngkneng | 2003 | ||
| St. Joseph's Church | Laitkor | 2004 | Diocesan | |
| U Khrist U Syiem Church | Madanrting | 2024 | Diocesan | |
| Sacred Heart Church | Smit | 2025 | Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) | |
| Immaculate Heart of Mary Church | Thynroit | 2027 | ||
| Zone 6 | Our Lady of the Assumption Church | Nongpoh | 1953 | Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Church | Umkadhor | 1985 | ||
| St. Francis of Assisi Church | Byrnihat | 1999 | ||
| Lum Sinai Church | Umden | 2006 | ||
| St. Francis of Assisi Church | Umsiang | 2023 | ||
| Our Lady of Miracles Church | Umtyrnga | 2025 | ||
| Zone 7 | Epiphany Church | Mawbri | 1972 | Diocesan |
| Church of the Ascension | Umsohlait | 1972 | Diocesan | |
| Mary Mother of God Church | Umsning | 1977 | Diocesan | |
| St. Paul's Church | Mawlasnai | 2009 | ||
| St. Francis Xavier Church | Umbir | 2013 | Society of Jesus (SJ) | |
| U Khrist U Syiem ka Jingkyrmen Church | Mawkyrdep | 2026 | ||
| Holy Family Church | Zero Point-Umshorshor | 2027 | ||
| Zone 8 | Sacred Heart Shrine | Nongmensong | 2010 | Diocesan |
| Immaculate Heart of Mary Church | Mawpat | 2012 | Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (CMF) | |
| St. Rose of Lima Church | Umpling | 2024 | Diocesan | |
| St. Dominic Savio Church | Nongrah | 2024 | Diocesan | |
| Mary Help of Christians Church | Mawpdang | 2024 | Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) |
Diocesan institutions
[edit]Seminary
[edit]The Archdiocese of Shillong currently have the following seminary for men who aspire to be a Diocesan Priest :
- St. Paul's Apostolic Seminary , Upper Shillong - A minor seminary and a prestigious seminary that has produced many great priests and bishops . This seminary is only for those studying in Class 8 to 10
- St. Xavier Minor Seminary , Upper Shillong - a minor seminary for boys of Class 11 and 12
- Christ King College , Shillong - a Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Shillong for Philosophical formation
Hospital
[edit]- Nazareth Hospital , Shillong[4]
Schools
[edit]The administration of schools in the archdiocese is autonomously handle by the Parishes .
For example , the Parish School of Cathedral Parish is Divine Saviour Higher Secondary School , Shillong .
Higher Education
[edit]The Archdiocese currently has only one higher education institute in Ri Bhoi District , i.e. Balawan College offering Bachelor Degree program .
Saints and causes for canonisation
[edit]- Venerable Stephen Ferrando[5],SDB
- Venerable Constantine Vendrame, SDB[5]
- Lorenz Hopfenmuller (Otto)[6],SDS
Laity Associations
[edit]The Archdiocese has many associations for the laity . These includes :
- Shillong Archdiocese Catholic Youth Movement (SACYM) - For the youths
- Synjuk ki Seng Rangbah Katholik Shillong Archdiocese - For married men
- Synjuk Seng Kynthei Shillong Archdiocese - For married women
References
[edit]- ↑ "Shillong Archdiocese gets new Archbishop | Highland Post". 29 December 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Bishop Bernard Laloo Ordained as New Auxiliary Bishop of Shillong". Catholic Connnect. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "MAWLAI PARISH". Don Bosco Shillong. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ "Nazareth Hospital, Shillong | LinkedIn". in.linkedin.com. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Saints & Blessed – CCBI". Retrieved 17 October 2019.
- ↑ "1890". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
Sources and external links
[edit]