L-R: Dr Rosou Pohena, President NCYM, Rev. Fr. Kokto Kurian, Director NCYM, Most Rev. Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, Dr. Johnny Raungmei, President, Catholic Association Nagaland (CAN), and Rev Fr. John Burman, Director ICYM NE.
Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma to grace the inaugural
Morung Express News
Kohima | June 24
Over 2000 youths from all the states of North East India representing 15 dioceses under three archdioceses will converge at the Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Kohima from June 27 to 30 for the 5th Regional Youth Convention 2025.
A first-of-its-kind event to be hosted by Nagaland Catholic Youth Movement (NCYM) under the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, the convention is aimed at providing a platform for young people to come together, share experiences, and seek to understand the meaning and implications of their faith on their lives and explore their role as disciples of Christ. Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma will grace the inaugural on the evening of June 27 as special guest while former Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Nabam Tuki will be the special guest on June 29.
Addressing a press conference at Bishop's House, Cathedral Kohima on Tuesday, Most Rev. Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima highlighted the history of the Catholic Church in the North East that functions as one unit but has been bifurcated for evangelical purposes and ecclesiastically has 3 archdioceses and 15 dioceses. However, he asserted that the Catholic Church spread across the 7 states of Northeast with 1.5 million Catholics, is one unit and one family.
Stating pleasure to host the convention, he exuded hope that the youths would come together to foster and propagate their friendship as well as celebrate and live their faith.
Kohima Cathedral: Epitome of Christian Faith & Naga Culture
He also cited why Kohima Cathedral was chosen as the venue for the convention while describing it as an “epitome of Christian faith and Naga culture.” “Many people wanted to come and experience, see the architecture of Cathedral, which is very much a focal point of Kohima”, he added. He further maintained that the Cathedral stands as one of the biggest assets of the state wherein at least 50 people come to visit everyday. During Hornbill Festival, there are hundreds of visitors, he stated. Besides this, he said the Kohima Cathedral is one of the hundred pilgrimage designated by the central government.
Dr. Johnny Raungmei, President, Catholic Association Nagaland (CAN) remarked that, “the Catholic Church is one church that brings everyone not counting the caste and the race under one roof.” He said that one of the significant thing of the Convention is that, “we are going to bring the entire Northeast together with different tribes, cultures, and languages, who are coming together in one faith.”
During the Convention, be also impressed upon that, “we study the social teaching of the church. We ask the youth what is the youth of today? They will be learning deeper about the Catholic faith, which is the gospel of Christ in our secular way of learning.”
Rev Fr. John Burman, Director ICYM (Indian Catholic Youth Movement) North East, highlighted that the special occasion also marks the Silver Jubilee of ICYM and stated that the coming together of young people would be a spiritual rebirth even while learning affinity, skill development, empowerment, etc.
“It will be a celebration of renewal and spiritual rebirth, and I hope they will all go back taking the resolution to be somebody in their churches, society and nation at large”, he expressed.
Dr. Rosou Pohena, President NCYM said that it is a huge responsibility to host a convention of such a magnitude, but however acknowledged the support of the lay leaders of the Catholic Church and exuded hope that besides the learning and spiritual experience, Naga youths would also be able to showcase their talents to the other states of North East. Rev. Sr. Wansuk Mary Lyngdoh, Regional Lady Animator was also present at the press conference.
Among several other dignitaries, resource speakers and panelists, the Holy Eucharist Main Celebrants for the convention will include Most Rev. Dr. Linus Neli, Chairman-NERYC, Archbishop of Imphal, Most Rev. John Moolachira, Archbishop of Guwahati, Most Rev. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima and Most Rev. Benny Varghese, Bishop of Itanagar.
