San Thome Catholic Church Consecrated on Feast of St. Thomas in Manipur

Churachandpur (Manipur), July 4, 2026: The San Thome Catholic Church, a community of St. Mary's Parish, Tuibuang, in Manipur's Churachandpur district, was solemnly consecrated on July 3, the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, in the presence of priests, religious, pastors from various Christian denominations and a large gathering of the faithful.

The rite of dedication was led by Fr. Lourdessamy, Parish Priest of St. Mary's Parish, while the Eucharistic celebration, centred on the theme "The Church of the Living God" (1 Timothy 3:15), was presided over by Fr. Athanasius Mung, Parish Priest of St. Thomas Parish, Singngat. Eight priests and deacons concelebrated the Mass.

The consecration ceremony began with the blessing and dedication of the church by Fr. Lourdessamy, followed by the blessing of the commemorative monolith and the ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the church entrance, officially opening the new place of worship.

Addressing the congregation, Fr. Lourdessamy reflected on the missionary legacy of St. Thomas the Apostle, revered as the evangeliser of India. He expressed gratitude to the past and present parish leaders and the faithful whose perseverance and commitment made the construction of the church possible despite numerous challenges.

Describing the new church as one of the finest in the region, he called on the faithful to remember and pray for all those who contributed to its completion. He reminded the congregation that the church is a sacred house of prayer where people can bring their joys, sorrows and struggles before God and experience peace. He also urged them to match the beauty of the new structure with active participation in the life and mission of the Church.

In his homily, Fr. Athanasius Mung stressed that every Christian is a living temple of God and is called to proclaim the Gospel. He said the newly consecrated church stands as a visible sign of the community's enduring faith and serves as a sacred place where believers encounter God's mercy, forgiveness and grace.

The consecration marked a significant milestone for the Catholic community of San Thome, bringing to fruition a long-cherished dream realised through years of faith, sacrifice and collective effort.

By Catholic Connect Reporter