On April 26, 2026, Good Shepherd Parish in Lamka, in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, held a special celebration to honor Catechist Peter Kammang Zou, who retired after more than 50 years of service.
The Mass was presided over by Archbishop Linus Neli of Imphal, concelebrated by ten priests, and attended by hundreds of parishioners despite ongoing challenges in Manipur, including recent violence, economic blockades, and protests.
In his homily, the archbishop emphasized that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd and invited the faithful to reflect on their understanding of Him. He said knowledge of Jesus is often first passed on within families, particularly by parents, and stressed the responsibility of the Church, priests, bishops, and the pope, to continue that formation.
He encouraged the faithful to deepen their understanding of Jesus through regular reading of the Bible and by living according to the Church’s teachings. Recognizing the voice of Christ, he said, is essential to living a meaningful Christian life.
Peter Kammang Zou was first appointed to Good Shepherd Parish in 1973 and later served at St. Thomas Parish in Singngat. Despite opportunities to enter politics, he remained committed to catechetical ministry during a difficult period in the region.
His leadership contributed to the acquisition of land for St. Thomas Parish in Singngat and for the mission center in Behiang, now administered by the Missionary Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament (MCBS). Church and school facilities were later established in these areas, expanding access to both pastoral care and education.
Zou is also known for his outreach to remote communities, including villages beyond the Indo-Myanmar border. He retired as a touring catechist in 2003 but continued serving at Good Shepherd Parish, where several church units were established under his guidance.
As a gesture of appreciation, the Parish Pastoral Council presented him with a cash gift of 50,000 rupees and a traditional shawl.
He is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the Catholic faith in Churachandpur district, Manipur, where Christians are a minority and where the Church has faced longstanding social and political challenges.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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