Catholic Tea Estate workers gift themselves largest community church in Dibrugarh Diocese

The Catholic faithfuls of Khowang Tea Estate had more than a reason to be euphoric about when the bishop of Dibrugarh diocese
Catholic Tea Estate workers gift themselves largest community church in Dibrugarh Diocese

A CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: The Catholic faithfuls of Khowang Tea Estate had more than a reason to be euphoric about when the bishop of Dibrugarh diocese, Rev. Dr. Albert Hembrom inaugurated the newly-built church building at Knowing in Dibrugarh on Sunday. After years of patience, and generous contribution, despite the COVID impact on their wages, the tea workers had funded a community monument to cherish for years to come.

Emeritus bishop of Dibrugarh, Rev. Joseph Aind, senior priests father Joy, Father Jacob, Father Ambrose Ekka, Father Victor Toppo, Father Vijay Toppo, among others of the church hierarchy, were present for the inaugural along with large number of Catholic faithfuls from nearby communities and parishes, notwithstanding the torrential rain. The Mary Help of Christians church at Khowang becomes the largest community presbytery in the Catholic diocese of Dibrugarh.

The 600-people-capacity church was packed, front and church-side pandals were crowded with Christians and non-Christians, as the opening of the church door unfolded ceremoniously and gradually. The presbytery comes under the jurisdiction of Moranhat Catholic Parish of Dibrugarh Diocese, and has been built in a time spanning over five years, with major contribution in terms of donation, labour and assistance coming from the Catholic tea garden workers themselves.

The torrential rain failed to dampen the celebration, as Catholics from near and far came to witness the inauguration, which was preceded with a bike rally, traditional welcome, flag hoisting, lighting of the lamp and ceremonious cutting of ribbon, unlocking the doors of the church building and its blessing by the prelate. At the Khowang Tiniali, beside the NH 37, the faithful waited for the arrival of the anticipated guests. Upon his arrival at about 9:30 am, the elated crowd of men and women accorded him a traditional Adivasi welcome.

Prominent among those present was the local panchayat president Ganga Sobor. An Adivasi welcome is marked by washing of the feet and hands of the guest, applying tilak on the forehead, even as a welcome song is sung in the background.

Bishop Dr. Albert Hembrom was accompanied by his secretary Father Ignatius Kullu and one of the main donors of the church, Franklin Alphonse. The rally comprising of bikes and cars escorted the bishop to the Dulia Line church venue after a mile's journey through the lush green tea plantation of Khowang Tea Estate, whose establishment dates back to over 150 years.

Upon arrival at Dulia Line, the bishop and his cavalcade was accorded a warm reception by the residents, accompanied by Adivasi traditional dance procession to the church premises, followed by unfurling of the church flag by the chief guest, Rev. Dr. Albert Hembrom. He was joined by emeritus bishop Joseph Aind and host of dignitaries. In a ceremonious event that followed, the bishop duo led the ritual opening of the church door and blessing of the church premises with holy water, as per the traditions of the Catholic Church. This was preceded by a ribbon-cutting ceremony by bishop Hembrom, donor Franklin and panchayat president Ganga Sobor.

The main event of the day was the Holy High Mass, presided over by the incumbent bishop of Dibrugarh Rev. Dr. Hembrom, and concelebrated by emeritus bishop Rev. Joseph Aind, Parish priest of Moranhat Rev. Alphonse Dhanwar, Joy Punnakel, Jacob, William Horo, Ambrose Ekka, Victor Toppo, Vijay Toppo, bishop's secretary Rev Ignatius Kullu, Joachim Baghwar and Master of the Ceremony Rev. Romanus Baghwar.

At the conclusion of the Holy Mass service, the bishop ceremoniously handed over the keys of the church to the local village pracharak and his assistants, custodians responsible for the upkeep of the sanctity of the church. An eruption of colourful and traditional Adivasi cultural extravaganza marked the felicitation that followed.

In his speech, Rev. Dr. Hembrom exhorted the Catholic tea garden workers to rise to the standard of the times and challenged them to reach 100 per cent literacy rate at all cost with hard work. "The beautiful church you have helped built should be set as the standard of your thoughts and life," he said.

Bishop emeritus Joseph Aind also addressed the gathering and motivated them to become exemplary citizens, while Franklin Alphonse called upon the faithfuls to become imitators of Christ Jesus in every respect.

The General Manager of Khowang Tea Estate, Apurba Kr Chutia and his executives and other dignitaries also graced the occasion. The GM, who had donated generously towards the construction of the church building, in his emotional inaugural eve speech on Saturday committed every support towards the development of the community.

With about 300 Catholic families, Khowang is one of the most vibrant Catholic communities of the diocese and prominent in the socio-political circles as well. The community is counted among the most educated and self-reliant of the tea garden colonies, having produced many luminaries – a priest (Rev. Ambrose Ekka), nuns, social and political leaders, doctors, engineer, nurses, teachers, state level footballers. Raphael, who steered the historic wage andolan in Assam also hails from the village.

Kujur had also represented a student organization to highlight indigenous Adivasi issues in Geneva, besides being elected representative from the Dibrugarh diocese to Indian Catholic Youth Movement during 1999. Vikram Ekka, elected Joint Secretary of ICYM in 2001, took part in international discourses at the Vatican in Italy, at Taize and Lourdes in France and in Canada as a youth leader, and was selected to meet St. Pope John Paul II in 2002 at the Toronto World Youth Day celebrations. Both Kujur and Ekka are the only recipients, from the diocese of being conferred the ICYM National Youth Awards to youths of the country for their exemplary social leadership.

This little known tea garden community boasts of having the highest literacy rate as compared to other TE colonies. Every year, scores of students of this tea garden village clear their HSLC and HS exams, and pursue higher studies.

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