Bishop Lumen Monteiro Completes 45 Years of Service as Priest and Missionary in Northeast India

Agartala, October 28, 2025 —The Diocese of Agartala and the Church in India celebrate the 45th anniversary of the sacerdotal ordination of Bishop Lumen Monteiro, C.S.C., D.D., who was ordained a priest on October 28, 1980, and has since emerged as one of the most respected pastoral and missionary leaders in Northeast India, serving the Church not only in Tripura but also through major national ecclesial commissions.

A priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Bishop Monteiro became the first Bishop of Agartala when Pope St. John Paul II erected the diocese on January 11, 1996, and later consecrated him as its shepherd on May 26, 1996. With the episcopal motto “Duc in Altum — Lead Us Onward,” he undertook the formidable task of building the local Church in Tripura from the ground up during a time of social unrest and limited resources.

True to Pope Francis’ vision of a “shepherd who smells of the sheep,” Bishop Monteiro has long been known for his constant presence among the faithful in remote villages across Tripura. He made pastoral visits a weekly priority, personally administering sacraments, strengthening emerging Catholic communities, and offering courageous leadership during the state’s years of political turmoil and insurgency.

Beyond the diocese, Bishop Monteiro has played a crucial role in the Church’s service to the nation. He has served as Chairman of Caritas India, the Church’s national humanitarian arm, and as Chairman of the North Eastern Diocesan Social Forum. He currently serves as Chairman of the CBCI Office for Healthcare (National Health Commission), guiding the Church’s extensive health mission across the country.

In 2021, the Diocese of Agartala celebrated the twin Silver Jubilee of both its establishment and Bishop Monteiro’s episcopal consecration — a testament to the remarkable growth in faith, formation and social outreach under his pastoral care.

As Bishop Lumen Monteiro completes 45 grace-filled years in priestly ministry, the Church gratefully honours a shepherd whose life continues to inspire countless faithful to “go deeper” and truly “Lead Us Onward.”

Bishop Lumen Monteiro Completes 45 Years of Service as Priest and Missionary in Northeast India

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