Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong is an archdiocese located in the city of Shillong
in India.
An Archdiocese is a “diocese” or area under the jurisdiction of an Archbishop. In all there are 33 church districts or “Parishes” in the Shillong Archdiocese. The Cathedral Church was built over 50 years ago. Since it also has the “cathedra” – the seat or throne of the Bishop – it is known as a Cathedral Church. 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 April 10, 1936. Built by the first Catholic missionaries to these hills, the Salvatorians from Germany, it was the first Catholic Cathedral Church in what was then the Mission of Assam. The Cathedral Church of Mary Help of Christians is the principal place of worship of the over 3,00,000 strong Catholics of the Shillong Archdiocese which covers the districts of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi of Meghalaya.
Shillong
-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
in India.
History
- December 15, 1889: Established as the Apostolic Prefecture of Assam from the Diocese of Krishnagar
- July 9, 1934: Promoted as Diocese of Shillong
- June 26, 1969: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gauhati–Shillong
- January 22, 1970: Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong–Gauhati
- March 30, 1992: Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong
An Archdiocese is a “diocese” or area under the jurisdiction of an Archbishop. In all there are 33 church districts or “Parishes” in the Shillong Archdiocese. The Cathedral Church was built over 50 years ago. Since it also has the “cathedra” – the seat or throne of the Bishop – it is known as a Cathedral Church. This place of worship stands on the very site of the first Church built by the German fathers (Salvatorians
Salvatorians
The term Salvatorians refers to members of one of three religious communities: the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Savior, the Lay Salvatorians, and the Society of the Divine Savior , a Roman Catholic religious order composed of priests and religious Brothers, founded by Father Francis...
from Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
). The earlier 1913 building – the Church of the Divine Saviour – was a wooden structure. It was destroyed in the Good Friday fire of April 10, 1936. Built by the first Catholic missionaries to these hills, the Salvatorians from Germany, it was the first Catholic Cathedral Church in what was then the Mission of Assam. The Cathedral Church of Mary Help of Christians is the principal place of worship of the over 3,00,000 strong Catholics of the Shillong Archdiocese which covers the districts of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi of Meghalaya.
Leadership
- ArchbishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of Shillong (Latin Rite)- Archbishop Dominic Jala, S.D.B. (December 22, 1999 – present)
- Archbishop Tarcisius Resto Phanrang, S.D.B. (August 2, 1995 – May 5, 1999)
- Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario, S.D.B. (March 30, 1992 – August 30, 1994)
- Metropolitan Archbishops of Shillong – Gauhati (Latin Rite)
- Archbishop Hubert D’Rosario, S.D.B. (June 26, 1969 – March 30, 1992)
- Bishops of Shillong (Roman Rite)
- Bishop Stephen FerrandoStephen FerrandoStephen Ferrando born Rossiglione, Italy September 28, 1895, died June 21, 1978, was an Italian missionary belonging to the Salesians of Don Bosco , an order founded by St. John Bosco. Ferrando was ordained a priest on March 18, 1923 at the Salesian Institute of Borgo San Martino, Alessandria, Italy...
, S.D.B. (later Archbishop) (November 26, 1935 – June 26, 1969) - Bishop Louis Mathias, S.D.B. (later Archbishop) (July 9, 1934 – March 25, 1935)
- Bishop Stephen Ferrando
- Prefects Apostolic of Assam (Latin Rite)
- Fr. Louis Mathias, S.D.B. (later Archbishop) (December 15, 1922 – July 9, 1934)
- Fr. Cristoforo Becker, S.D.S. (1906 – 1921)
- Fr. Angelus Münzloher, S.D.S. (1890 - 1906)
- Fr. Otto Hopfenmüller, S.D.S. (1890)