Nagaland: First Catholic Priest from Khonoma Village ordained

Dimapur: In a significant development, Reverend Deacon Megoriakho Thomas Puny?, the first priest from St. John the Evangelist Church in Nagaland's Khonoma was ordained for the Diocese of Kohima on December 30 at Khonoma. Khonoma is an Angami Naga village located about 20 km west of the state capital, Kohima.

The Mass of Ordination was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima Diocese.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1) is the motto of the new priest.

In his homily, the Bishop stated that a priest is ordained, not of men but of God, to lift up Jesus Christ that men may look unto Him and be saved

He exhorted Deacon Thomas to remember that lifting up Jesus Christ before men is to be his life-work, so that He may draw them unto Him.

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This can only be done by God’s power, and he as a priest, would receive the Holy Spirit for the office and work of a priest.

The Bishop advised the new priest: “You are a pastor, not functionary. Be a mediator, not intermediary.”

Deacon Thomas Puny? entered the Church with Bishop James, priests and family members.

The traditional blessing was pronounced by Vikepelhu Lucas Meyase, followed by the rite of ordination.

The Holy Mass was followed by felicitation and community feast.

According to reports, he did his early schooling in Khonoma, and theological studies at Papal Seminary of St. Francis Xavier, Pune. He was ordained Deacon by Auxilliary Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Archdiocese of Bombay on 8th February, 2020.

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