NORTH EAST INDIA REGIONAL BISHOPS' COUNCIL (NEIRBC)

The Catholic Church's journey in North East India is a remarkable story of faith, sacrifice, and visionary leadership. The Prefecture Apostolic of Assam, Bhutan, and Manipur was established on 13 December 1889 with its headquarters in Shillong and was entrusted to the Society of the Divine Saviour (SDS), then known as the Catholic Teaching Society. Rev. Fr. Otto Hopfenmueller SDS became the first Mission Superior, followed by Fr. Christopher Becker, who was appointed the first Prefect Apostolic of Assam on 9 January 1906.

The Catholic Church's journey in North East India is a remarkable story of faith, sacrifice, and visionary leadership. The Prefecture Apostolic of Assam, Bhutan, and Manipur was established on 13 December 1889 with its headquarters in Shillong and was entrusted to the Society of the Divine Saviour (SDS), then known as the Catholic Teaching Society. Rev. Fr. Otto Hopfenmueller SDS became the first Mission Superior, followed by Fr. Christopher Becker, who was appointed the first Prefect Apostolic of Assam on 9 January 1906. Following the departure of the Salvatorians in 1915, the Jesuits from Calcutta temporarily assumed responsibility for the pastoral care of the faithful, until the mission was formally entrusted to the Salesians of Don Bosco on 21 July 1921. This marked a new era of expansion and educational apostolate in the region. In 1934, Shillong was raised to the status of a Diocese, with Most Rev. Louis Mathias SDB as its first Bishop. Over time, new dioceses were created - Dibrugarh (1951), Tezpur (1964), and Silchar (1969) - and in 1969, Shillong was elevated to a Metropolitan See with these dioceses as its suffragans. Bishop Hubert D'Rosario SDB, then Bishop of Dibrugarh, became the first Metropolitan Archbishop of North East India.

As the Church continued to grow, new dioceses were erected, culminating in the establishment of fifteen dioceses by 2006, testifying to the vitality and expansion of the Catholic mission in the region.

Formation of the NEIRBC

The North East India Regional Bishops' Council (NEIRBC) emerged from the spirit of communion and shared mission among the bishops of the region. Its beginnings can be traced to 1973, when a historic gathering brought together the pioneering shepherds of the North East: Archbishop Hubert D'Rosario SDB (Shillong), Bishop Joseph Mittathany (Tezpur), Bishop Denzil D'Souza (Silchar), Bishop Robert Kerketta SDB (Dibrugarh), Bishop Orestes Marengo SDB (Apostolic Administrator, Tura), and Bishop-Elect Abraham Alangimattathil SDB (Kohima-Imphal). Archbishop D'Rosario was elected the first Chairman and Bishop D'Souza, the first Secretary of the NEIRBC.

The Bishops' Council soon became a dynamic platform for discernment, coordination, and collective decision-making - addressing pastoral, social, and educational concerns of the growing Church in the region.

Growth of the Ecclesiastical Provinces

The ecclesiastical map of North East India continued to evolve over the decades:

1. Imphal Diocese was erected in 1980, bifurcating from Kohima-Imphal.
2. Diphu Diocese came into being on 5 December 1983, carved out from Shillong-Guwahati.
3. Guwahati Diocese was erected on 16 August 1992, drawing territory from Shillong, Tura, and Tezpur.
4. Agartala Diocese was created on 11 January 1996, from the former Silchar Diocese.
5. Bongaigaon Diocese followed on 10 May 2000, from the Archdiocese of Guwahati.
6. Itanagar (2005) and Miao (2005) were established from Tezpur and Dibrugarh respectively.
7. Jowai and Nongstoin were erected on 28 January 2006, bifurcating from Shillong.

In 1995, Guwahati and Imphal were elevated to Metropolitan Sees, with Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil SDB and Archbishop Joseph Mittathany as their first Metropolitans respectively. Presently, North East India is organized into three ecclesiastical provinces - Shillong, Guwahati, and Imphal - comprising fifteen vibrant dioceses.

The Mission and Structure of NEIRBC

The NEIRBC today is composed of all 15 diocesan bishops of North East India, along with auxiliary and emeritus bishops, who gather twice a year, in April and September, to deliberate on matters of pastoral mission, evangelization, education, and social development.

In 2015, to strengthen its vision and operational capacity, the NEIRBC established a Permanent Office at the INSPIRATION Building, near the North East Diocesan Social Forum (NEDSF), Joypur, Kharghuli, Guwahati. The office houses the Deputy Secretary General and several Regional Commissions and Departments that serve as vital arms of the Church's mission in the region.

North Eastern Education Commission (NEEC): The Educational Apostolate of NEIRBC

Among the most dynamic commissions under NEIRBC is the North Eastern Education Commission (NEEC), which serves as the strategic and pastoral arm for Catholic education across the region. The NEEC envisions education as an act of evangelization and empowerment, guided by the Gospel and the social teachings of the Church.

Operating from the Inspiration Building, the NEEC:

1. Coordinates Catholic educational institutions for shared vision and policy direction;
2. Promotes formation and leadership for school administrators and teachers through workshops and conferences;
3. Encourages research and innovation in faith-based and value-centered education;
4. Advocates educational justice, inclusivity, and ecological responsibility inspired by Laudato Si'; and
5. Collaborates with government and civil bodies to uphold the rights of minority and missionary educational institutions.

The NEEC's initiatives - including leadership training, teacher formation, policy consultation, and regional educational summits - reflect the Church's continuing commitment to holistic human development and nation-building through education.

Together with its sister offices - North East Social Communications (NESCOM), North East Regional Youth Commission (NERYC), the Commission for Ecumenism, the Women's Commission, and the Assam Catholic Educational Trust (ACET) - the NEEC contributes to the Church's larger mission of fostering faith, learning, and service across the North East.

Assam Catholic Educational Trust (ACET)

On 19 January 2024, the Assam Catholic Educational Trust (ACET) was established as a trans-diocesan and trans-congregational initiative to advance educational excellence and foster greater unity among Catholic educational institutions across Assam. Operating in close collaboration with the Bishops of Assam, ACET serves as a platform for institutional capacity-building, policy updates, and administrative support for Catholic schools and colleges in the state.

The Trust officially inaugurated its office at the Northeast Bishops Council Secretariat, with Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati, who also serves as President of NEIRBC, presiding over the ceremony. The event brought together clergy, religious leaders, and educators, marking a significant milestone in the region's educational landscape.

ACET's mission centers on upskilling educational leaders, facilitating professional development through structured courses and programs, and ensuring that Catholic institutions remain responsive to evolving educational policies and pedagogical innovations. As articulated by Secretary Fr. Alex Kalayathinal, the Trust is committed to promoting professionalism and continuous learning among school administrators and teachers.

Through its various programs - which have attracted strong participation from educational professionals across the region - ACET seeks to create an environment conducive to the holistic development of students, strengthening the Catholic Church's educational apostolate in Assam and contributing meaningfully to the larger vision of NEIRBC and the North Eastern Education Commission.

Conclusion

The North East India Regional Bishops' Council (NEIRBC) stands today as a symbol of unity and pastoral vision, guiding the Church's mission in one of India's most culturally rich and diverse regions. Through its commissions - particularly the North Eastern Education Commission (NEEC) - the NEIRBC continues to shape the educational landscape of North East India with faith, integrity, and a deep commitment to the integral formation of every learner.