Catholic Couple from Goa Builds New Church for Displaced Faithful in Manipur

In the violence-scarred hills of northeastern India, a powerful sign of hope and healing has emerged. In conflict-hit Manipur, Catholics have inaugurated their first church for internally displaced faithful, a sanctuary made possible through the generosity of a Catholic couple from Goa, Pu Jeronimo Pereira and his wife, Pi Mary.

The Church of St. Joseph Unit, under St. Thomas Parish, was officially blessed and inaugurated on October 18, 2025, in Munpi village, within Singngat town, Churachandpur district. The blessing and Eucharistic celebration were led by Archbishop Emeritus Dominic Lumon of Imphal, joined by 13 priests, religious sisters, catechists, and more than 1,000 faithful.

The new church serves as a spiritual home for Catholic families displaced from Singtom village in Chandel district, whose homes, church, and belongings were destroyed during recent ethnic violence.

“The people had lost everything, their homes, church, and community life,” Archbishop Lumon said. “Today, they have found not only a new house of worship but also a renewed sense of belonging and peace. This is truly a moment of grace.”

The construction of the new church was largely funded by Mr. and Mrs. Pereira, who felt moved by the suffering of the displaced community. Inspired by Street Providence Goa, an NGO serving the homeless and the poor, the couple decided to extend their faith in action to Manipur.

“We were deeply moved by the community’s need for a place of worship,” said Jeronimo Pereira. “Our family wanted to give them a proper church, a home for their faith, and a reminder that God never abandons His people.”

The displaced Catholic families, known for their resilience and devotion, have been rebuilding their lives in Munpi with remarkable determination. Senior catechist Peter Kammang and his brothers donated farmland for new settlements, on which the Catholic Church has constructed 80 houses for internally displaced persons (IDPs), primarily from St. Joseph Parish, Singtom.

In addition to the new church, several other facilities were also blessed during the inauguration, including a grotto dedicated to Our Lady (donated by Pu Jerry and family), a large cross, and a 50,000-liter drinking water tank for the community.

The villagers themselves contributed volunteer labor, clearing land, molding bricks, and building homes, turning hardship into a collective act of faith and solidarity. In gratitude, the community has declared October 18 as “Munpi Pilgrimage Day”, marking the dedication of their new church and their renewed hope in God’s providence.

Fr. Athanasius Mung, parish priest of St. Thomas Parish, explained that about 100 displaced Catholic families now live in Munpi. “This church was named after St. Joseph because their original church, also dedicated to St. Joseph, was burned down,” he said. “So far, the diocese has built 50 houses, 26 more are under construction, and we still need support for another 24.”

A member of the Kuki-Zo tribe, Fr. Mung shared that his own family was among those displaced by the unrest.

Since May 2023, ethnic and religious violence between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki-Zo communities has left nearly 300 people dead, displaced over 60,000 families, and destroyed about 7,000 houses and 360 churches across Manipur.

Amid such pain and loss, the St. Joseph Church in Munpi stands as a beacon of faith, compassion, and unity, a living testimony that love and solidarity can rebuild even what violence sought to destroy.