Reverend team meets relief camp residents
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, December 09 2023:
Apostolic Nuncio to India and Ambassador of Vatican City to India, Most Reverend Leopoldo Girelli on Saturday visited the relief camp set up at Ideal College, Akampat in Imphal East, under Thongju AC on Saturday.
During the visit, he distributed relief materials to those affected by the ethnic violence and staying in the camp.
Accompanying him were the new Archbishop of Imphal, Most Reverend Linus Neli, Archbishop Emeritus of Imphal Most Reverend Dominic Lumon, Reverend Monsigner Stephen Killermann, Judicial Vicar, Diocese of Eichstatt, Germany, Reverend Father Varghese Velickakam, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Imphal, and a team from DSSS, among others.
As the visiting delegates engaged with the residents of the camp and shared solidarity with suffering of the affected community, Most Reverend Leopoldo Girelli expressed sorrow over the prevailing violence affecting all communities in Manipur.
The Apostolic Nuncio also offered prayers for the people of Manipur and urged all sections of the society to renounce violence and embrace the path of love and peace.
The camp residents conveyed their gratitude to the delegation for providing the relief materials.
Catholic Church in Manipur has been actively involved in extending relief services to people cutting across communities since the onset of the violence.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, the church has been delivering dry ration, clothes, medicines, organising medical camps, and distributing stationeries of various kinds through its institutions, including the Diocese of Imphal, Diocesan Social Services Society (DSSS), schools, and various other institutions throughout the state.
The Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to India is the diplomatic mission of the Holy See to India, similar to an embassy.
Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli was named the Apostolic Nuncio by Pope Francis on March 13, 2021 .