Sohphoh (Ri Bhoi), Feb 5: The Catholic Church at Sohphoh on Sunday celebrated its centenary year with about 5,000 faithful from across the district joining the programme.
A concelebration of seven priests, presided by Fr Gerald Khongjee as the main celebrant, solemnised the celebration.
Sohphoh village consists of 136 households with a population of about 1,200, inclusive of all Christian faithful, but only about 600 Catholics. The church here was dedicated to Saint Francis D’Assisi, the most renowned Apostle of Peace. Situated on the banks of the Umiam river, the village is suitably located in one of the most fertile lands of Ri Bhoi known for being the rice plate of Khasi Hills.
The inhabitants of the village and the surrounding villages are from the middle-income group but about 20% belong to well-to-do families. However, the whole constituency of Mawhati is still one of the most backward constituencies compared to Jirang in all parameters because of the quality of public representatives and the lack of enlightenment of the electors since the inception of the state.
Moreover, the Christian churches in the district are also responsible to a great extent for the political illiteracy of the voters here.
