Manipur: How Catholics established a foothold in Ukhrul

Ukhrul: The story of Catholicism in Manipur begins with a quiet yet transformative chapter in the Tangkhul community. Fifty-five years after the arrival of Christianity in the state, Catholicism found its foothold in Manipur, starting in Hungpung village of Ukhrul district.

The Tangkhul Nagas, of Mongolian descent, predominantly reside in the picturesque mountains and hills of Manipur’s Ukhrul and Kamjong districts. According to the 2011 Census, the Tangkhul community is the largest in the region, with a total population of 1,78,568 spread across 276 villages.

Notably, the Tangkhul people became the first community from Manipur to embrace Christianity when it was introduced by Rev William Pettigrew, a young English missionary, in 1895.

It was after about 55 years of the arrival of the American Baptist Church which spread every nook and corner of the Tangkhul area, that the Catholic Church was embraced by the Tangkhul community at Hungpung village, Ukhrul district.

According to James Hosannah, president of the Tangkhul Catholic Council (TCC), the Tangkhul community was the first to be received into the Catholic faith in Manipur with AS Dominic Shomi, a resident of Hungpung village, introduced the Catholic Church in February 11, 1952.

On this day, at least 33 families with 350 members were baptised by Fr Marocchina and eventually they were received into the Catholic faith. Since then, the Catholic Church spread to other Tangkhul villages and across Manipur. 

Phanitphang George Hongray from Hunpun village was the first Tangkhul to be baptised into the Catholic Church on August 15, 1942 at Dibrugarh, Assam. In 1957, the Catholic Church established its first parish at Mary Emaculate Parish Chingmeirong, Imphal East. And today, much progress has been made in the establishment of parishes, schools and other institutions by the Catholic Church.

As per a short history of the Church documented by late Fr Mathew Planthottam, the first diocesan priest who came to Manipur was Rev Fr Joseph Kachiramattam, in 1958. In 1959, Fr Mathew Planthottam became the second diocesan priest in Manipur followed by Fr PC Mani in 1961. 

At present, the Tangkhul Catholics have produced a total of 29 priests and around 93 professed nuns.

In 1973, Manipur became part of the Kohima-Imphal diocese with Rt Rev Abraham Alangimattathil as its Bishop. Later, in April 21, 1980, the Diocese of Imphal was established comprising the whole state of Manipur and Rt Rev Joseph Mittathany became the first bishop of Imphal. At present, the Imphal diocese has over one lakh Catholic members belonging to almost all the communities of Manipur. 

According to the latest directory issued by the Archdiocese of Imphal, the Catholic faith in Manipur has now 48 parishes, 13 mission centres, seven Ecclesiastical institutions, 106 diocesan priests, 61 religious priests and 361 religious sisters.

Thousands renew faith in border village

The recently held 35th edition of the All Tangkhul Catholic General Congress (ATCGC) 2025 brought together thousands of the Roman Catholic faithfuls from every nook and corners of Ukhrul and Kamjong districts at Christ the King Church, Chingjaroi Khullen village, about 80 km from Ukhrul town, to renew their faith and foster  community’s spirit.

Held from January 16 to 20, the Congress was organised by the Tangkhul Catholic Council (TCC) in collaboration with the local organising committee of Chingjaroi Khullen under the theme “Regeneration and Change”. TCC was formed in December 5, 1982 with an aim to facilitate the Tangkhul Catholic community and to help members grow deeper in faith.

The members of the Catholic Church which spread across over 50 Tangkhul villages in Manipur came together under a single platform after every five years during the All Tangkhul Catholic General Congress (ATCGC) hosted by existing ten parishes in Tangkhul inhabited areas on a rotational basis.

According to AS James Hosannah, president of TCC, delegates from more than 50 churches out of 70 were participated during the General Congress meeting, highlighting how the event plays an important role to the Tangkhul Catholics in renewing their faith and sense of belongingness.

“The purpose of organising this Congress is purely evangelisation and to spread the good news of the Gospel to every nook and corner of the Tangkhul area,” said Hosannah.

He also lauded the delegates for their enthusiasm and vibrant spirit despite the distance as well as braving the chilly winter accompanied by strong winds.

Besides a series of sessions with imminent speakers and resource persons shared on various topics, the five-daylong event also showcased various competitions, including Bible quiz competition, biblical skit, choral singing, choreography and karaoke. 

One of the key highlights of the event was the Eucharistic Procession led by Most Rev Dominic Lumon DD, Archbishop Emeritus of Imphal, where the thousands of the Catholic devotees walk about a 2 km route within the host village while singing and praying in unison.

Speaking on the Eucharistic celebration as part of the Congress, the Archbishop Emeritus of Imphal called upon the congregations to accept the God’s calling with their open hands, mind and soul to receive the healing and divine for our sins.

“In today’s society, there’s always a tendency to divide in the basis of religion, caste, social distinctions and moral consideration. However, Jesus actually came and associate with the sinners to establish new society of love and equality,” he said.

HW Peter, a 79-year-old and the longest serving Catholic catechist in Tangkhul land, expressed gratitude to the Church members and leaders for their unceasing support and trusts towards his ministry journey. Peter currently serves as a catechist at St Joseph, Talui village since 2023.

Recollecting his initial pastoral days from 1966, Peter has shared one of his unforgettable visits to Mapum village, a border village under Kamjong district, by foot during monsoon season.

“Since the road was not in a motorable conditions those days, I had to walked till the village. And by the time I reached the village, half of my body was already covered by blood due to leeches caught on the way. However, this does not bother me since the hospitality extended by the villagers were pure and welcoming,” said Peter, underscoring his commitment to serve the people.

While citing his life experiences as a devoted Christian, Peter also highlights the importance of sincere prayers and petitions as the Creator can do miracles to humans.

Education and Empowerment:

Besides an evangelisation work, the Catholic Church has invested considerable attention in providing a quality education and empowerment to the people of the state. Over the years, some significant number of leaders in different fields have been educated by the Church-run educational institutions.

With over 80 educational institutions and having approximately 66,657 students, the Catholic Church continues in the forefront in instilling human and moral values through education, in the state.

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