Catholic conference ends, 5th Anal priest ordained
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 19 2025: The 17th edition of the Anal Catholic Conference was held at Anal Khullen village in Chandel district from January 16 to 19.Among other activities, the conference featured ordination of Deacon Nula Augustine Anal to Priesthood as the fifth priest from the Anal community, which has a Catholic population of around 2,000.The conference was held under the theme "All of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in You" (John 17:21) .

Organised under the aegis of Anal Catholic Union ACU), the conference led by its president Kl Warson and general secretary Sr Peter had the attendance of hundreds of delegates representing Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lamphoupasna; Our Lady of Lourdes Church; St Thomas Church, Beru-Anthi; St John Church, Y/Khutha village; Christ the King Church, Thungcheng; Sacred Heart Church, Beru-Unopat; Mary Immaculate Church, Anal Khullen; and St George Church, Lamphou Charu.

Deacon Nula Augustine Anal was ordained by most reverend Dr Linus Neli, DD, Archbishop of Imphal, in the presence of around 30 priests, nuns, friends, and well-wishers.

Archbishop Neli, in his blessing speech, remarked that being ordained as a priest is a profound response to God's call to serve humanity, requiring one to leave behind family, tribe, and community to serve wherever assigned.

The conference also featured various competitions.

St John Church, Y/Khutha emerged as the winner of the group song competition, followed by Sacred Heart Church, Unopat, and Mary Immaculate Church, Anal Khullen.

In the choreography, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Lamphoupasna claimed the first place, while Mary Immaculate Church, Anal Khullen, and St John Church, Y/Khutha secured second and third positions.

In the solo competition, PS Jomhring of Anal Khullen, Bs Paulina, and Rd Joy of Lamphoupasna secured the top three positions re spectively.

Lamphoupasna triumphed in the junior category of the Bible Quiz, followed by Y/Khutha and Our Lady of Lourdes.

In the senior category, Christ the King Church took the first place, with Mary Immaculate Church and HTCC securing second and third respectively.

Speakers including reverends Kl James Tangshel, Roy J, Jose Kaniyampady, Joseph Bungsong, RI Augustine, and Ruwnglal Friny Peter addressed the attendees on topics such as parenting, building Christian families, and the role of priests and youth in societal change.

Organised after a gap of seven-eight years, owing to outbreak of COVID-19 and other issues, the conference concluded with outgoing ACU president Kl Warson Anal de hoisting the flag and passing it to incoming president PS Blessing Anal.

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