- 12 March, 2026
Assam, March 12, 2026: In the remote village of Nihanglangso in Karbi Anglong District, Assam, a small Catholic community has quietly lived out a powerful testimony of faith, unity, and perseverance.
The people here belong to the Karbi tribe—simple, sincere, and faith-filled individuals who face many economic and infrastructural challenges. The Catholic presence in the village is small, consisting of just ten families and five youths. Nihanglangso belongs to Krist Jyoti Parish, Dokmoka, in the Diocese of Diphu. The village is geographically isolated and is the farthest Mondoli Church from the parish, making access difficult.
Yet their faith has remained strong.
In 2013, the villagers built St. Joseph Church of Nihanglangso using bamboo walls and a thatch roof. Though modest in structure, it served as the spiritual centre of the community where the faithful gathered for prayer and community life.
But the fragile building could not withstand nature’s force. Heavy winds and storms eventually destroyed the church completely. With its collapse, the people of Nihanglangso lost not just a structure but the heart of their spiritual life.
For nearly seven years, the Catholic faithful of the village remained without a church. They gathered occasionally in homes for prayer, carrying within them the quiet pain of losing their spiritual centre.
The situation began to change with the formation and strengthening of Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) in the parish under the leadership of Fr. Shajan Thomas, Parish Priest, and Fr. Samson Teron, Assistant Parish Priest and Assistant Coordinator of BECs in the Diocese of Diphu.
Krist Jyoti Parish had 42 active BEC units. Through regular Bible sharing, community meetings, and action plans, these groups began to identify neglected areas and urgent needs within the parish. During these reflections and discussions, the long-standing issue of Nihanglangso’s ruined church surfaced as a major concern.
It was seen not merely as the loss of a building, but as a wound to the faith and dignity of a small and remote community.
Once the problem was identified, the BECs did not allow it to remain only a topic of discussion. Inspired by Gospel values of solidarity, sharing, and responsibility, the BEC units across the parish took collective ownership of the situation.
Support came in many forms. Some contributed financially. Others offered voluntary labour. Many sustained the effort through prayers and coordination.
The parish leadership encouraged what they called a “Church built by the people” approach. Although Nihanglangso had only ten Catholic families and limited resources, the wider BEC network ensured that no community would be left behind because of poverty or distance.
Through sustained effort and unity, what once seemed impossible became possible.
In 2025, the ruined bamboo-and-thatch structure was replaced by a new concrete church—strong and permanent. The new building stood not only as a place of worship but also as a visible sign of hope and dignity.
The church was named St. Joseph Church, Nihanglangso, symbolising protection, faithfulness, and silent perseverance.
For the people of Nihanglangso, the new church meant far more than the construction of a building. It marked the restoration of their spiritual home, renewed their confidence, and deepened their sense of belonging to the wider parish family.
For the parish community, it became a living testimony of what Basic Ecclesial Communities can achieve. When faith is lived in unity and action, even the most remote and struggling communities can experience transformation.
The building of St. Joseph Church in Nihanglangso stands as a powerful example of BEC functioning—where identifying a problem, discerning together, and acting collectively leads to lasting change.
It shows that when BECs are active and well guided, they do more than organise prayers. They rebuild lives, restore hope, and make the presence of the Church real even in the most distant corners.
This story reminds us that a Church rooted in Basic Ecclesial Communities is a listening, serving, and inclusive Church—where even the smallest community becomes strong through unity and shared faith.
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By Catholic Connect Reporter
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