Ecclesiastical Details - Catholics India

Diocese of Nongstoin

Rite:

Latin

Population:

Status:

Diocese

Catholics:

117525

Founded:

00:00.0

Diocesan Priests:

Total area:

11 348 sq kms

Religious Priests:

Province:

Shillong

Religious Sisters:

105

Region:

North Eastern

Seminarians:

Patron:

Languages:

Civil States:

Meghalaya: West Khasi Hills South West Khasi Hills (Mawkyrwat)

Contact Diocese Office :

Bishops House West Khasi Hills Nongstoin - 793 119 MEGHALAYA

Telephone 1:

03654-28 00 20 /

Fax:

E-Mail Office:

bpnongstoin@gmail.com

Website:

Most Rev Dominic Jala, Apostolic Administrator of Nongstoin

Name:

Most Rev Dominic Jala

Designation:

Apostolic Administrator

Canonical Possession:

2016-

Telephone (P):

E-mail (P):

Other Present & Retired Ordinaries of the Diocese of Nongstoin

Bishops Name	Designation	Period
	Apostolic Administrator	2016-

Pilgrim Centres in theDiocese of Nongstoin

Ecclesiastical Institutions

Social / Charitable Institutions / Care Centres

Educational Institutions

Parishes:

Hospitals:

Degree Colleges:

Major Seminaries:

Orphanages:

Technical Training Centres:

Minor Seminaries:

Special Schools:

High Schools:

Monastries:

Crèches:

Lower Primary Schools:

522

Convents:

Counselling Centres:

Presses & Media Centres:

Formation Houses:

Social Centres:

Professional Colleges:

Retreat Centres:

Dispensaries / Clinics:

Parallel Colleges:

Physically Challenged:

Higher Secondary :

Boarding Houses:

Upper Primary Schools:

145

HIV / AIDS Centres:

Nurseries/Pre-Primary :

522

De-addiction Centres:

Aged & Destitute:

History of the Diocese of Nongstoin

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Nongstoin is a diocese located in the city of Nongstoin in the Ecclesiastical province of Shillong in India In a land area of 5 247 square kilometers the diocesan territory covers entire West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya state

The real success and growth of the Catholic Church in West Khasi Hills is solely attributed to the zealous missionaries who dedicated and sacrificed their lives for the Gospel Some of whom need special mention The seed of Christianity fell in fertile soil sometimes in 1907 where under the capable supervision and direction of the saintly Father Otto Hopfenmuller SDS Myntri Langduh Shangdiar and his son Raimondus Rai Khardewsaw found grace in the personal animation of Father Valentinus Karffe SDS and were baptized on Jan 24 1907 at Rangthong by the Officiating pastor Father Dominicu Dounderer SDS The seed blossomed and bear fruit Raimondus Rai later became the first teacher and Catechist of Rangblang Undoubtedly Rangblang became the first stronghold of Catholicism in the Western zone of Khasi Hills

The colossal contribution of spreading the Gospel of Christ in West Khasi Hills which dominated the Catholic Arena was none other than the beloved Father Constantine Vendrame SDB from 1922 onwards His foot-steps were followed by his followers Father Tome Foglia C Attard Carmelo Spitale and later Fathers Felix Matta Costa Albizuri Toniguzzo and Vanni Desideri and many others

Fifty six years ago the nearest Mission station was Marbisu Parish 76 kilometers away from Nongstoin The faithful Catechists and devotees traveled on foot to fulfill their obligations to the Mission station bare-footed for 4 days forth and back Father Carmel Attard SDB the stern and fatherly Maltese missionary was there to receive them Those were the days of trials but bear fruits that lasted till today

From 1970 onwards the sacrifice and untiring endeavour of the missionaries boosted the Mission filed in West Khasi Hills (at that time under Assam) The Shillong Diocese felt it necessary to extend the pastoral institutions to the western zone of the diocese Thus the Parish of St Peter the Apostle was established on May 12 1966 at Pyndengrei Nongstoi-ñ with Father Emmanuel Albizuri SDB as the first Parish Priest (RIP-Spaniard) and Father John Mary Premoli SDB (an Italian) now in Africa as assistant Parish Priest These two "bulldozer missionaries" travelled far and wide on foot covering the present 10 parishes and make it possible for the present Diocese to come into existence

The Diocese of Nongstoin was created by Pope Benedict XVI on Jan 28 2006 The Apostolic Nuncio to India Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana has ordained Bishop Victor Lyngdoh on April 2 2006 and installed him as the first Bishop of Nongstoi-ñ Diocese on April 4 2006 amidst turbulent torrential cyclonic rain

Prelates of the Diocese of Nongstoin