Archbishop of Shillong Dominic Jala Passes Away in California Road Mishap

A Correspondent

SHILLONG: The Archbishop of Shillong Most Rev Dominic Jala died in a tragic car accident at Colusa County, California, USA on December 10, at around 2 pm local time (California).

The news of his demise has brought a pall of gloom on the people of the State.

Rev Dominic Jala was well appreciated Archbishop known for his simplicity, scholarship and intellectual acumen.

According to press statement issued by the Archdiocese of Shillong, after the Ad Limina visit of the Bishops of North East India in Rome he had gone to the USA to attend a meeting of the ICEL (International Commission for English Liturgy).

As per the statement, the accident occurred at 10.30 am IST on October 11, while he was travelling with two other priests, Fr Matthew Vellankal and Fr Joseph Parekatt.

While the Archbishop and Fr Vellankal died on the spot, Fr Parekatt is admitted in the hospital with serious injuries, but he is stable.

The Shillong Archdiocese is awaiting the news regarding the arrival of his mortal remains. There will be concelebrated requiem Mass in Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians everyday at 5.30 pm till the mortal remains arrives in Shillong.

Rev Dominic Jala was born on July 12, 1951 at Mawlai in the Archdiocses of Shillong, was appointed the Archbishop of the same Diocese in December 1999.

He took charge of the Archdiocese on April 2, 2000. At the transfer of Bishop Victor Lyngdoh to the Diocese of Jowai in 2016, Archbishop Dominic 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, Guwahati Province. He was actively involved in all the matters connected with the Church of North East India and CBCI.

He was member secretary of the International Commission for Englidh 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. He was also the chairman of the Liturgical Commission of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India for several years.

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