Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, in 28 January 2006, created the dioceses of Nongstoin and Jowai (India) with territory taken from the Archdiocese of Shillong, making them suffragan of the same metropolitan See.
The Holy Father appointed first Bishop of Nongstoin Rev Victor Lyngdoh until now parish priest of Shillong Cathedral and first Bishop of Jowai Rev. Vincent Kympat until now parish priest and Director of the Laity Formation Centre in Shillong.
Information on the new dioceses:
The new diocese of Nongstoin (Nongstoinen/sis/) covers the district of West Khasi Hills, state of Meghalaya. It borders to the N. West with the district of Kamprup, state of Assam; N. East with the district of Ri Bhoi; to the south with Bangladesh; to the east with the district of East Khasi Hills; to the west with the districts of East Garo and South Garo Hills.
The new diocese of Jowai (Iovaien/sis/) covers the district of Jaintia Hills, state of Meghalaya. It borders: to the north with the district of di Karbi Anglong, state of Assam; to the south with Bangladesh; to the east with the districts of Cachar and North Cachar Hills state of Assam; to the west with the district of East Khasi Hills, state of Meghalaya.
Nongstoin diocese has an area of 5,247 sq. km; a population of 313,723, including 75,715 Catholics gathered in 9 parishes, assisted by 18 priests (5 diocesan and 13 religious), and 61 women religious.
Jowai diocese has an area of 3,819 sq. km; a population of 293,229 including 59,095 Catholics gathered in 7 parishes, assisted by 17 priests (9 diocesan and 8 religious), 5 Brothers and 40 women religious.
St. Peter the Apostle parish church in Nongstoin will serve as the cathedral in the new diocese of Nongstoin and St. Theresa of Lisieux parish church in Jowai will serve as the cathedral for the diocese of Jowai.
The first Bishop of Nongstoin, Rev. Victor Lyngdoh, was born on 14 January 1956 in the village of Wahlang, archdiocese of Shillong. He attended the village school and then St. Paul's Apostolic School in Shillong. He completed his ecclesiastical studies at Christ King College and Oriens Theological College, Shillong. He was ordained a priest on 25 January 1987 for the archdiocese of Shillong. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1987-1992: assistant priests in two parishes; 1992-2000: parish priest in three different places, diocesan procurator. Presently he was parish priest of Shillong cathedral.
The first Bishop of Jowai, Rev. Vincent Kympat, was born on 17 December 1946 in Mawsurong, parish of Sutnga, Jaintia Hills. After attending St. Paul’s Minor Seminary, he studied philosophy at Christ the King College, Shillong, and theology at Sacred Heart College, Poonamallee, Chennai. He was ordained a priest on 23 January 1977 for the archdiocese of Shillong. Since ordination he ministered as follows: assistant priest at Marbisu (1977-1978); parish priest and director of Catechists Training Centre, Marbisu (1978-1983); parish priest at Jowai (1983-1985); Studies in Rome and the Pontifical Salesian College, Licentiate in Catechesis (1985-1988); parish priest at Jowai (1988-1992); rector of Christ the King College, Shillong (1993-1996); assistant priest at St John’s parish; director of Laity Formation Centre, Shillong (1996-2005). At present he was parish priest and director of the Laity Formation Centre a Shillong. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 1/2/2006; Righe 88; Parole 531)
