CHRONICLE NEWS SERVICE

IMPHAL: At the attainment of 75 years and superannuation of Archbishop Most Rev Dominic Lumon DD, Archbishop of Imphal, Pope Francis has appointed a new Archbishop to lead the Catholic Church society in Manipur in the person of Rev Fr Dr Linus Neli.

The announcement was made public in Rome on Saturday at noon local time corresponding to 15.30 hours IST. The 66-year old Archbishop elect hails from Punanamai village in Senapati district and is a well-respected figure in the church and social circles. He holds Doctorate in Canon Law (Rome), Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Diploma in Jurisprudence (Westminster, London) and is an author of several books and articles published in reputed ecclesiastical and international journals.

Ordained a priest for the Catholic Church in 1984, Rev Fr Dr Linus Neli has served the church in Manipur in various capacities including the Vicar General, Chancellor and Parish Priest of several Parishes. He served as associate director of St John’s Medical College, Bangalore, administrator of Caritas India, Delhi and as rector of the Regional Theologate at Shillong. Presently Rev Fr Dr Linus Neli is the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish and principal of Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Hundung, Ukhrul district.

The Catholic Church with a modest presence of about one lakh members in Manipur is a formidable and significant contributor in the educational, social and healthcare sector in the state. The Archbishop is the head of the Archdiocese and the news of the appointment of yet another local person as the Archbishop to lead the Catholic Church in Manipur comes as a happy news to all.

The Archbishop elect will be conferred Episcopal ordination and will take full charge of the Archdiocese of Imphal very soon. Members of the Catholic churches in Manipur welcomed the news of his appointment with joy.