The Diocese

 

ABOUT THE DIOCESE

The Diocese of Nongstoin situates in the state of Meghalaya, Northeast India. The Diocese was bifurcated from the Archdiocese of . Shillong on January 28, 2006 where Most Rev. Victor Lyngdoh was appointed its first Bishop. The episcopal ordination took place on April 2, 2006 while the installation on April 4, 2006. After about ten years as a shepherd of Nongstoin, Bishop Victor was transferred to Jowai on 15 October, 2016 and the Nongstoin was left without a Bishop since then. Late Most. Rev. Dominic Jala, the then Archbishop of Shillong was appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Nongstoin till the sad day of his demise on October 10, 2019. On 25 October, 2019, Rev. Fr. Anselm Nonglang was elected Diocesan Administrator of Nongstoin. On February 4, 2023 the faithful of the Diocese rejoiced on getting the news that the Holy Father appointed Rev. Fr. Wilbert Marwein to be a Bishop of Nongstoin. The Episcopal ordination and installation of Most Rev. Wilbert Marwein took placed on April 16, 2023.

At present there are about 1,70,000 Catholics, 22 parishes, 23 diocesan priests and 102 religious. At the starting of the Diocese, there was only one political district, i.e. West Khasi Hills District whereas now we have three districts namely West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills and Eastern West Khasi Hills districts. The total area of the Nongstoin Diocese is approx. 5,247 sq.kms and the total population may have crossed six lakhs. .

There are about 1106 villages in the Diocese and the literacy rate records 50.52%.. Nongstoin, which is the civil headquarters of West Khasi Hills District, is the centre for Church’s administration.

The faithful of the Diocese belongs to the Khasi and Garo communities which again consist of Lyngngam and Maram the sub-tribes of Khasi, while Atong the sub-tribe of Garo. These tribes follow the matrilineal system. Majority of the people are farmers and labourers though some have taken up government jobs, teaching and other salaried employments.

The Catholic Church plays an important role in holistic development through the parishes, especially in the areas of education and health care besides pastoral ministry which is its core focus.