Shillong, 8 July 2023 – The Diocese of Jowai in Meghalaya, Northeast India, is set to welcome its new Bishop as His Holiness Pope Francis appoints Fr. Ferdinand Dkhar (59) as the Bishop of Jowai on Saturday, 8 July 2023.
Fr. Ferdinand Dkhar, born on 26 February 1962 in Longkaluh within the Diocese of Jowai, has an impressive background in theological studies. He attended the minor seminary in Upper Shillong, Meghalaya, followed by studies in Philosophy at Christ King College and Theology at Oriens Theological College in the Archdiocese of Shillong. Fr. Ferdinand Dkhar was ordained a priest on 23 January 1994, for the Diocese of Jowai.
Throughout his ministry, Fr. Ferdinand Dkhar has held various important positions, including dean of studies at the minor seminary of Shillong (1994-1995), assistant parish priest of the Annunciation Church in Namdong (1995-2000), assistant parish priest (2000-2002) and later parish priest (2002-2007) of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Ummulong. He also served as parish priest of the Annunciation Church and principal of a high school in Namdong (2007-2009) and as Procurator of the Diocese of Jowai (2009-2021). Since 2021, he has been serving as the diocesan administrator of Jowai.
The appointment of Fr. Ferdinand Dkhar comes after the position of Bishop of Jowai became vacant when Bishop Victor Lyngdoh was appointed as the Archbishop of Shillong on 28 December 2020. Fr. Ferdinand Dkhar will now take on the responsibility as the third bishop of the diocese, following in the footsteps of Bp. Vincent Kympat (2006-2011) and Bp. Victor Lyngdoh (2016-2020).
The Diocese of Jowai was established in 2006, separating from the Archdiocese of Shillong. Geographically, it is located in the Jaiñtia Hills, east of Khasi Hills, north of Bangladesh, west of north Cachar Hills, and south of Karbi Anglong in Meghalaya. The distance from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, to the diocese is approximately 64 kilometres.
With a Catholic population of 120,275, the Diocese of Jowai consists of 23 parishes, 30 diocesan priests, 41 religious priests, 83 religious sisters, and 313 educational institutions.
The Catholic community eagerly anticipates the leadership of Bishop-elect Fr. Ferdinand Dkhar as he assumes his new role in the Diocese of Jowai, continuing the spiritual guidance and development of the local faithful.
(IND Webmaster)