Help for the training of 22 seminarians

The Catholic Church in Northeast India is still relatively young and only began to take root around the end of the 19th century. In many parts of the region, the Catholic presence dates back no more than a few decades.

One of the younger dioceses in this part of India is Bongaigaon, first established in the year 2000. There are approximately 74,000 Catholics in the diocese today, most of whom belong to the Indigenous Bodo tribe. However, there are at least a dozen different languages spoken within the diocese as a whole.

There are 94 priests, who minister to the faithful with great zeal. But their work is not easy: the 37 parishes have a total of over 650 additional outstations where the faithful are waiting for the sacraments and for pastoral support. Their faith needs to be nourished and confirmed, and they need counsel and help with the many problems and questions they face in their lives. The extensive territory is difficult to access and is subject to frequent flooding, which further compounds the pastoral difficulties facing the priests, and more priests are urgently needed in general.

The local church is blessed with many home-grown vocations, and 22 young men from the Diocese of Bongaigaon are currently training for the priesthood. They come from poor families that are unable to financially support their sons in their studies.

We have been helping the diocese for many years with the training of future priests. And Bishop Thomas Pulloppillil has written to thank us: “Our diocese is deeply indebted to Aid to the Church in Need. The training of our seminarians is our most pressing concern, and we are hoping that we can continue to count on your friendship and support.” We are planning to help again this year and have promised $12,320 so that these 22 young men can continue with their training. Will you help us to help them?