DIMAPUR, JANUARY 22 (MExN): The first Rongmei Catholic Dimphuam Nagaland convention was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Diphupar–A, Chümoukedima from January 19 to 21.
It was held with the theme ‘Inculturation of Faith.’ All Rongmei Catholic communities across Nagaland participated in the convention, informed a press release from the organisers.
The main celebrant was Most Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima and Johnny Ruangmei, President of Catholic Association of Nagaland, joint CEO NSDMA, Government of Nagaland as the special guest.
In the homily, the Bishop said “inculturation is the process of the Church’s effort to make the message of Christ penetrate a given socio-cultural context, calling on the latter to grow according to all its particular values, as long as these are compatible with the Gospel.”
“The diverse liturgical traditions or rites manifest the Catholicity of the Church, because they signify and communicate the same mystery of Christ,” he stated, while adding that “Christ, the Man for all Cultures, helps people discern and live according to God’s will in the context of their respective cultural and religious traditions.”
Johnny Ruangmei in his speech said the Rongmeis should not be afraid to showcase the traditional customs and attires “as Mary and Joseph were not afraid to reveal Jesus to people.” “If there was no Epiphany we will not know Jesus. So too, we should not hide our rich God-given customs and traditions, rather we should showcase them fearlessly,” he added.
Rev Fr Tinglung Francis, SDB, the first Rongmei Catholic priest, shared in his exhortation that “Jesus Christ is the most high and mighty priest and the sacrifice he offered is once and for all.”
“The Rongmei Catholic Dimphuam is a lay movement with one of the main purposes to strengthen the faith of the Rongmei Catholic community. The family is the local church if the family has strong prayer life, the church and the society will prosper,” he stated.
Exhortation and talk on Christian values and principles was shared by Rev Fr Gabriel Gaikhangdim Gonmei, Rev Fr Liangkamang Innocent Panmei SDB, Rev Fr Gaisinpou Romeo Gangmei SDB, Rev Fr Jangsinlung Joshua Gangmei SDB, Rev Sr Rose Abilu MSMHC, and Rev Sr Magdalene Dimlu Gonmei FMA.
