India: Last Catholic Village in Manipur Marks Golden Jubilee with Dedication of New Church

The Catholic community of Suangphu Village, located along the Indo–Myanmar border and regarded as the last Catholic village in Manipur, northeast India, celebrated 50 years of faith with the solemn dedication and blessing of the newly constructed St. Peter Catholic Church.

The celebration was held on January 27, 2026, and centered on the theme: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

The dedication ceremony and Holy Eucharist were presided over by Fr. Paul Ngaoni, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Imphal, and concelebrated by eight priests from India and Myanmar. Religious sisters and hundreds of Catholic faithful from both sides of the border, particularly from Cikha Parish in Myanmar, participated in the celebration, highlighting a strong bond of faith that transcends national boundaries.

In his homily, Fr. Ngaoni reminded the faithful that through Baptism, every Christian becomes a temple of God and a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Celebrating the golden jubilee, he said, is ultimately a celebration of God’s faithfulness, alive in the hearts of a people whose deep-rooted Catholic faith has sustained them across generations. He urged the community to live in unity and bear witness to the Gospel through their daily lives.

For nearly five decades, the faithful had cherished the dream of having their own church—a dream realized during this jubilee year. Administratively, St. Peter Catholic Church comes under St. Mary’s Behiang Mission Centre, entrusted to the MCBS Fathers since 2025.

In his exhortation, Fr. Dyjo Mathew, MCBS, Priest-in-Charge of the Behiang Mission Centre, stressed that the consecration of a church is not merely the dedication of a building, but a total offering of the lives of the faithful to Jesus Christ. He called the community to live as a living Church rooted in love, unity, peace, and service.

The Catholic faith in Suangphu took root through the courage and commitment of early pioneers Pu Peter Hangdal, Pu Raphael Langkhawzaw, Pu Daniel Zelkhawnang, Pu George Ginkhenkap, and Pu Paul Suangdal, the sole surviving member among the founding faithful today.

Fr. Joy Palakuel was the first priest to visit the village, becoming its pioneer pastor, while the church’s foundation stone was later laid by Fr. Devasy. The faith was further strengthened by the tireless service of catechists John Tuanzakhup, Pu James Samlian, and Peter Kammang, who retired this month after 50 years of faithful service.

The village has also given rise to three religious vocations, reflecting the rich spiritual fruits of the community’s faith. Over the years, Suangphu has emerged as a vital center of Catholic life, from which evangelization spread to neighboring areas. St. Daniel’s Church, Vapar, St. Michael’s Church, Kawlbem (Mizoram), and St. James’ Church all trace their origins to the missionary zeal of the people of Suangphu.

The golden jubilee celebrations concluded with thanksgiving prayers, cultural performances, and a community meal, marking a historic milestone in the life of the Catholic community of Suangphu Village.