Suangphu Community Celebrates 50 Years of Faith with Church Dedication in Manipur

Suangphu, Jan 29, 2026: The Catholic community of Suangphu Village along the Indo-Myanmar border marked a historic milestone with the dedication of St. Peter Catholic Church, commemorating 50 years of Catholic presence in what is known as Manipur’s last Catholic village.

The term “last Catholic village” refers to the only remaining village in the state where a Catholic community has continued uninterrupted, underscoring the perseverance of faith in a remote and sensitive border region.

The jubilee celebrations drew large numbers of faithful from different parts of Manipur and neighbouring Myanmar, reflecting the community’s strong cross-border bonds.

The church dedication and Holy Eucharistic celebration were presided over by Fr. Paul Ngaoni, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Imphal, and concelebrated by priests from India and Myanmar. Religious sisters and parish

representatives also took part in the solemn celebration.

The Golden Jubilee was observed under the biblical theme, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).

In his homily, Fr. Ngaoni reminded the faithful that every baptized person is called to be a living temple of God. He described the jubilee as a celebration of God’s enduring faithfulness and urged the community to remain united and to witness the Gospel through daily life.

St. Peter Church comes under the Good Shepherd Parish, Churachandpur, which was later reorganised as St. Thomas Parish, Singngat, and is presently administered as St. Mary’s Behiang Mission Centre by the MCBS Fathers since 2025.

Fr. Dyjo Mathew, MCBS, Priest-in-Charge of the Behiang Mission Centre, said the dedication symbolised not only the consecration of a church building but also the offering of the lives of the faithful to Christ. He called on the community to continue living as a vibrant Church rooted in faith and service.

Catholic faith in Suangphu took shape through the commitment and courage of the early believers, whose perseverance over decades transformed the village into a centre of evangelisation. From Suangphu, several mission stations and churches — including St. Daniel’s, Vapar, and St. Michael’s, Kawlbem in Mizoram — were established, reflecting the community’s lasting missionary influence.

The Golden Jubilee celebrations and the dedication of St. Peter Catholic Church mark a significant chapter in the history of the Church in Manipur, honouring the resilience of faith in the border region and the enduring contribution of the Suangphu community to Catholic life in the state.

By Tungthang Zou