Shillong, Oct 7: Pope Francis appointed Linus Neli (56) as Archbishop of Imphal, Manipur, on Saturday.
The appointment of the new Archbishop has come at a time when the trouble-torn Manipur is yearning for a healing touch.
Currently, he is the judicial vicar of the Imphal Archdiocese and the Director of the Retreat, Centre at Imphal.
Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Dominic Lumon (75) from the pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Imphal.
Old-age is cited as the reason for the resignation of the Archbishop Lumon.
In a statement, Fr Stephen Alathara, Deputy Secretary General, Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) informed about the appointment.
Fr. Linus, a Mao Naga, was born on April 26, 1957, in Imphal. He studied philosophy at Christ the King College in Shillong and theology at the Papal Seminary in Pune. He obtained a Doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome. He was ordained a priest on December 20, 1984, for the Archdiocese of Imphal.
He held the following positions: Dean of Studies at the Minor Seminary of Imphal (1985-1986), Secretary to the Archbishop of Imphal (1986-1988), Deputy Parish Priest of Sacred Heart in Hundung (1988-1989), Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of Imphal (1994-1998), Principal of the Sacred Heart Institute in Hundung (1998-2004), Associate Director at St. John’s Medical College Hospital in Bangalore (2004-2007),Vicar General of Imphal (2007-2010), parish priest of Mary Help of Christians in Ukhrul (2010-2013), National director of Caritas India (2013-2014), Rector of Oriens Theological College in Shillong (2014-2017), Parish Priest and Principal of the San Pietro Institute in Monsang Pantha (2016-2019). Since 2019 till date, he was holding the charge of Director of the Archdiocesan Retreat Center and Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Court of Imphal.
Photo credit: Google images
