Manipur in mind, bishops cancel celebrations to mark feast of St John Mary Vianney

 'The volatile situation in Manipur is disturbing our conscience and challenging our solidarity'

Animesh Bisoee, TT, Jamshedpur, 27.07.23 : The Jh­arkhand-Andaman Regional Bishops’ Council (Jhaan RBC) has decided to cancel the grand celebrations to mark the feast of St John Mary Vianney on the first Sunday of August in view of the strife in Manipur.

The council has asked the faithful to make a collection, which will be sent to Manipur to help the affected people, especially priests and presbyteries. The Jhaan RBC covers the dioceses of Jharkhand and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Saint John Vianney, a French Catholic priest, is venerated in the Catholic Church as a patron saint of parish priests. Although the feast day is observed on August 4, the Holy Mass is held on the first Sunday of August (August 6, this year) in all Catholic churches.

“In view of the disturbing situation in Manipur, a decision has been made by the JHAAN Regional Bishops’ Council to celebrate the feast of Vianney only with the Holy Mass and with spiritual fervour and to contribute our share of sacrifice,” said Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, the secretary of the council.

“We are very much aware of the recent happenings in the country, especially in Northeast India. The volatile situation in Manipur is disturbing our conscience and challenging our solidarity,” said a Jhaan RBC communique addressed to bishops, priests and the faithful.

“During the Jhaan RBC held on Tuesday at Ranchi, we, the Bishops, along with the regional secretaries of various commissions, strongly felt that the Church of Jharkhand must stand with the suffering people of Manipur and help them in whatever way possible,” added the communique, signed by Ranchi Archbishop Felix Toppo and Bishop Mascarenhas.

“Every parish and religious community is requested to cancel other celebrations, make a collection which we will send to Manipur as our contribution, specially for the affected priests and presbyteries,” the communique adds.

The contribution can be submitted at the Archbishop’s House in Ranchi or to the respective diocesan treasurers before August 20. The contributions will be sent to the Archbishop of Imphal for distribution.