Catholics in violence-hit Manipur open first church for displaced faithful in Munpi, built with Goa couple’s aid; a symbol of hope and healing.
Newsroom (29/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a remote corner of Manipur, a northeastern Indian state scarred by ethnic and religious clashes, Catholics celebrated the inauguration of their first local church, dedicated to internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing violence against the Christian minority.
The Church of St. Joseph, located in Munpi village within Singngat town in Churachandpur district, opened its doors on October 18 during a blessing ceremony presided over by Archbishop Emeritus of Imphal, Monsignor Dominic Lumon. The prelate concelebrated Mass with 13 priests, alongside numerous nuns, catechists, and approximately 1,000 villagers.
The structure was made possible through the generous donation of a Catholic couple from Goa, Jeronimo Pereira and his wife Mary, who covered the bulk of the construction costs. Pereira cited inspiration from Street Providence Goa, an NGO aiding the homeless with food, clothing, and medical care. “We were deeply moved by the community’s need for a place of worship,” he told AsiaNews, “and our family wanted to provide them with a suitable church.”
The church and accompanying community initiatives primarily serve Catholic families from Singtom village in Chandel district, displaced by recent unrest. Known for their deep-rooted Catholic traditions, these families have spearheaded efforts to rebuild in Munpi. Local catechist Peter Kammang and his brothers donated agricultural land to establish new settlements for the IDPs.
The inauguration also blessed additional donor-funded assets from the archdiocese: a grotto to Our Lady, a large cross, and a 50,000-liter drinking water tank for displaced families.
Villagers contributed labor, clearing land, molding concrete bricks, and erecting homes, underscoring community resilience. The Imphal archdiocese declared October 18 as annual Munpi Pilgrimage Day.
“It was a moment of grace, a moment of great joy,” Msgr. Lumon told AsiaNews. “These people had to leave their villages, where they had lived for generations—they were expelled from their homes and their church. But now they have a home (built by the diocese) and a place of worship. This will contribute to their healing, their relief, and their sense of stability.”
He added that rehabilitation in the area is underway, with a local Catholic donating land for diocesan-built houses. The Pereiras funded 80% of the church’s costs, marking “a moment of great happiness, a moment of immense grace.”
Fr. Athanasius Mung, the new parish priest, noted: “We are about 100 families, all internally displaced. This church was named after St. Joseph because their original one in the village, dedicated to St. Joseph, was burned down. So far, the diocese has built 50 houses, 26 are under construction, and we still need funds for another 24.” A member of the Kuki Zo tribe, Fr. Mung said his own family was displaced.
Ethnic and religious violence between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki communities erupted in May 2023 and has resurfaced intermittently, claiming nearly 300 lives to date.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Asianews.it
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