SHILLONG, OCT 12: Most Rev Dominic Jala, the Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese and Father Mathew Vellankal died in a road accident in California, United States.
The incident occurred on October 10, when the two were traveling to Clearlake in California along with Father Joseph Parekkatt, another priest. Their car collided with a semi-truck in Colussa County, California. Father Parekkatt, who was seriously wounded, was stable in a hospital.
Archbishop Jala was 68. Father Vellankal, 50, was the pastor of St. Isidore Parish in Danville, California, since 2016.
Archbishop Jala is the second Indian archbishop to die in a car accident abroad. Earlier, Archbishop Alan de Lastic of Delhi died on June 20, 2000, in a car crash in Poland.
Fr Jimmy Marngar, Acting Chancellor of Archbishop’s House, Shillong said after the Ad Lamina visit of the Bishops of North East India in Rome, he had gone to the US to attend a meeting of the International Commission for English Liturgy (ICEL) and to meet some of his friends.
“The accident occurred at 10.30 am IST on October 11, while he was travelling with two other priests –Fr Mathew Vellankal and Fr Josheph Parekatt. While the Archbishop and Fr Vellankal died on the spot, Fr Joseph is admitted in the hospital with serious injuries but stable,” Fr Marngar said.
Born on July 12, 1951 at Mawlai, Most Rev Dominic Jala was appointed the Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese in December 1999. He took charge of the Archdiocese on April 2, 2000.
At the transfer of Bishop Victor Lyngdoh to the diocese of Jowia in 2016, Archbishop Jala was also appointed the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of Nongstoin.
Before being appointed archbishop, he was the Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco of Guwahati Province. He was actively involved in all matters connected with the Church in North East India and CBCI.
He was a member Secretary of the International Commission for English Liturgy (Washington DC) which translated and brought out the new Text of the Holy Mass of the Catholic Church.
Since two years, he has been a member of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments. From 2012 to 2019 (September), he was the chairman of the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC). He was also the chairman of the Liturgical commission of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India for several years.
“He was a well appreciated archbishop known for his simplicity, scholarship and intellectual acumen,” Fr Marngar said.
“We entrust his soul into the hands of his creator. The Archdiocese is awaiting the news regarding the arrival of the mortal remains. Information regarding the funeral will be communicated later on,” he added.
Fr Marngar further informed that a concelebrated requiem mass in the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah will be held everyday at 5.30 pm till the mortal remains arrives in Shillong.
All priests, relatives, the faithful and friends were invited to attend the services and pray for the repose of his soul.
By Our Reporter
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