Shillong, Feb 6: Most Rev. Victor Lyngdoh was today installed as the Archbishop of Shillong Diocese in the State of Meghalaya. His Holiness Pope Francis had appointed Most Rev Victor Lyngdoh as the Archbishop of Shillong on December 28, 2020.
The installation ceremony was held at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral in Shillong, which was attended by Archbishops of North eastern States, including bishops and other dignitaries. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Power Minister James K. Sangma, Health Minister A.L Hek, Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and other members of the legislative assembly attended the holy ceremony.
Bishop Victor Lyngdoh was born on 14 January 1956, at Wahlang Village, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. He entered St. Paul’s Seminary in Shillong pursuing his studies at St. Gabriel’s Higher Secondary School. He then studied Philosophy at Christ King College in Shillong, subsequently spending his Regency at St. Francis Xavier Church, Mawsynram. He then entered Sacred Heart Theological College in Mawlai. He was ordained priest on 25 January, 1987.
Blessed to be a part of the installation of Most Reverend Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh as new Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese, appointed by the Holy Father @Pontifex. May he use his many gifts with generosity and faithfulness to serve the Lord and lead His people. @VaticanNews pic.twitter.com/LPywnKrbIu
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 6, 2021
He has served in the following ministries 1987-1990: Assistant Parish Priest, Resurrection Church, Pynursla; 1988: Studied Audio-Visual for Evangelization at Khristu Jyoti, Bangalore; 1991: Assistant Parish Priest, St. Joseph Church, Mawkhar, Shillong; 1991: Studied for B.Ed. at the College of Teacher Education in Shillong; 1992-1994: Parish Priest at Blessed Sacrament Church, Laitlyngkot and Headmaster at Laitlyngkot High School; 1994-2000: Parish Priest at St. Paul’s Church, Upper Shillong and Principal St. Gabriel’s Higher Secondary School; 2001-2005: Mission Procurator, Shillong Archdiocese; 2003-2005: Studied for M.Ed. at Madurai Kamaraj University; 2005: Renewal Course at Sadhana Institute, Lonavala; 2005-2006: Parish Priest at Mary Help of Christians Cathedral, Shillong.
He was ordained as the first Bishop of Nongstoin on 2 April 2006, the newly created diocese from the Archdiocese of Shillong. He served ten years the Nongstoin diocese. Pope Francis transferred him to the diocese of Jowai on 15 October, 2016 and installed on 20 November, 2016.
Speaking at the installation ceremony, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said, “It is a proud moment not only for the Catholic church but also our State of Meghalaya, as the Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Victor to lead our church in Meghalaya”.
Recollecting his association with newly installed Archbishop, he said, “I had the opportunity to meet Archbishop Victor with my late father P.A. Sangma. My father as you all know was raised by the Catholic missionaries and we were always taught to be God fearing children. The Catholic church has done so much for us by instilling the values of righteousness, humility, love and compassion”.
