First Rongmei priest from Kohima diocese ordained

Source UCAN Report

Bishop exhorted the community to support their priests through prayers, correction, appreciation and encouragement.

Kohima: 

Kohima diocese in Nagaland has got its first priest from the Rongmei community.

Fr. Gaikhang Gabriel was ordained by Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima at St. Joseph’s Parish’s Church, Chumukedima on January 6.

A press release from the bishop's office informed that the Bishop in his homily highlighted the role of a priest as one of lifting Jesus to the people so that Jesus may draw them to Himself and be saved.

“Every priest does this through his pastoral, prophetic and leadership roles. Once ordained a person remains a priest for ever because of the indelible character imprinted with the ordination,” the Bishop stated.

He further exhorted the community to support their priests through prayers, correction, appreciation and encouragement.

Reverend Deacon Gabriel was brought to the Church by the parents and relatives accompanied by Rongmei traditional songs and dances.

The deacon was presented by the parents for ordination after praying over him and removing the traditional dress, symbolizing that he is being set apart for God’s work, the release added. After the ordination ceremony, the newly ordained priest continued the Holy Mass; he gave his first priestly blessing to the people at the end.

Fr. Gabriel is the second child of G. Jacob and Christina from Diphupar village in Dimapur. He has a brother and a sister who serve in the Army and IRB respectively. He studied at Christian Unity Higher Secondary and Carmel Hr. Sec. School, Dimapur. He joined the Seminary in Jalukie and finished his Class XII from St. Xavier Hr. Sec. School, Jalukie. He did one year of orientation course at Chabua, Assam and did his Philosophy studies and graduation from Salesian College, Dimapur. He also completed his Theological studies at Oriens Theological, College, Shillong, the release informed. 

Ashuli Joseph anchored the felicitation programme, where special item from CMC Novitiate, Parish, Women Association, CYA, Diphupar ‘A’ were presented. A cassette titled “Saviour: salvatoriam songs” for which Fr. Gabriel Gaikhang provided the music, was released by the Bishop during the felicitation program.