Bishop of Kohima Rev. Dr. James Thoppil has appealed for peace and dialogue to solve the existing tension between different communities in Nagaland.
Speaking at the felicitation programme after the ordination of the 42nd catholic priest from Nagaland and fourth priest from the Yimchungru tribe, he said tension and suffering caused by individuals to gain political or material mileage was a curse that believers much resist and eliminate from their midst.
“God is our common loving Father and all that we possess including land is His gift to us,” Bishop said.
Rev. Thoppil also said no one was owner but all were pilgrims in this world, adding that no problem was solved through violence and intimidation rather all problems and differences could be solved through dialogue.
“Dialogue and non-violence is the only weapon that can build bridges and peace among communities,” he said.
Further, the Bishop asserted peace was also a gift from God, the last gift left by Jesus to his disciples.
“If we are not peace makers then we are not Christians, not disciples of Jesus,” he said and appealed to all leaders – political, tribal, village, NGOs — to create an atmosphere and environment of peace and trust where one could sit down across the table and talk with one another.
Rev. Dr. James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima also quoted a scripture “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God” (Mt. 5:9).
Meanwhile, he said ordination of priests from various communities and different tribes was a sign and symbol of the unity, catholicity and universality of the Catholic Church.
Thursday, February 19, 2026