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Dimapur
Salesian Parish Priests Meet in Dimapur to Strengthen Missionary and Pastoral Ministry
News reported by: Fr. Blasius Tete sdb, IND
The Salesian Province of St. Francis de Sales, Dimapur, held a two-day meeting of Parish Priests and Quasi Parish Priests on July 16–17 at the Don Bosco Provincial House, bringing together priests serving across Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Upper Assam to strengthen pastoral leadership and missionary outreach.
The formation programme was animated by Dr Joseph Anikuzhikattil, SDB, Assistant Director of Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong, who delivered six conferences focusing on the spiritual, pastoral and administrative dimensions of parish ministry. The programme aimed to help priests build sustainable, collaborative and missionary parishes rooted in Salesian spirituality while responding effectively to contemporary challenges of evangelisation.
Drawing on Sacred Scripture, Church teaching, the Code of Canon Law, the Salesian Constitutions and the example of St. John Bosco, Dr Joseph emphasised that the parish should function as "a community of communities" rather than merely a centre for sacramental services. He encouraged priests to strengthen collaboration with catechists, religious sisters and lay leaders, promote Small Christian Communities, and make responsible use of digital media in evangelisation while maintaining personal pastoral presence.
A session on the Educational Pastoral Council (EPC) and the Educational Pastoral Plan (EPP) highlighted the importance of a shared pastoral vision that involves priests, educators, parents, catechists, and young people. Stressing that education and evangelisation are inseparable in the Salesian tradition, the speaker encouraged every parish to develop a written pastoral plan to ensure continuity of mission despite personnel changes.
Reflecting on the spiritual life of parish priests, Dr Joseph underscored that effective ministry flows from a deep union with Christ. He called on priests to nurture pastoral charity, Eucharistic devotion, Marian spirituality, missionary zeal and joyful service, particularly among the young and the poor, who remain central to the Salesian mission.
Another conference focused on family catechesis and marriage preparation, presenting the Christian family as the "Domestic Church" and emphasising parents' role as the primary educators in the faith. Participants were encouraged to adopt a standardised programme for marriage preparation and family catechesis across the province.
The concluding sessions addressed pastoral challenges in North-East India, including ethnic tensions, migration, land issues, insurgency and ecumenical relations. Dr Joseph urged priests to become ministers of reconciliation while respecting the region's cultural diversity and reaffirmed that every Salesian parish should embody Don Bosco's Preventive System by fostering youth ministry, family accompaniment, collaboration and missionary outreach in service of the people of God.
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Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Year of publication: 2026
Available from: 4 March 2026
Pages: 928 pp., Paperback
