Individuals and organisations paid glowing tributes to the spiritual leader while condoling his untimely and sad demise
in a road accident in the United States on October 10.
Man of simplicity, scholarship: NE Bishops council
The North East India Regional Bishops
Council (NEIRBC) has condoled the demise of Archbishop Dominic Jala.
In a communiqué issued in Guwahati on Saturday, Archbishop of Guwahati and president of NEIRBC, John Moolachira said, “We the Catholic Bishops of North East India are grieved at his departure but at the moment of pain we turn to the priests, religious and faithful of the Archdiocese of Shillong who mourn their beloved Archbishop.”
“We offer them our heartfelt condolences. We pray for the eternal repose of the departed soul and for the Archdiocese of Shillong. Let us continue praying as we wait for further news of the arrival of the mortal remains and the date of the funeral,” Archbishop Moolachira said.
The communiqué further informed that after the Ad Limina visit of the Bishops of North East India in Rome, Pala had gone to the US to attend a meeting of the ICEL (International Commission for English Liturgy) 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. Joseph Parekatt. While the Archbishop and Fr. Mathew Vellankal died on the spot, Fr. Joseph is admitted in the hospital with serious injuries but stable,” Moolachira said.
Born on July 12, 1951 at Mawlai in the Archdiocese of Shillong, Rev. Dominic Jala, was appointed the Archbishop of the same diocese in December 1999. At the transfer of Bishop Victor Lyngdoh to the diocese of Jowai in 2017, 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 of Guwahati Province. He was actively involved in all matters connected with the Church in North East India and Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI).
He was also the chairman of NEIRBC from 2012 to 2019 (September) and the chairman of the Liturgical commission of the CBCI for several years,” the council president said.
“He was a well appreciated Archbishop known for his simplicity, scholarship and intellectual acumen. We entrust his soul into the hands of his creator,” Archbishop Moolachira said.
Loss to churches: Lapang
Former Chief Minister and NPP adviser D D Lapang expressed astonishment and deep sadness over Dominic Jala’s demise.
Archbishop Jala offered and devoted the whole of his life as a wonderful witness to people through Jesus Christ, he said in a statement on Saturday.
“Professed as a Salesian and an ordained Priest, he is known to me as a Missionary and a loving and loveable priest,” he said adding that the passing away of Archbishop Jala is a great loss to the churches and the people of the state as a whole.
“I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the member of the Salesian Brothers and family members of Archbishop Jala. I pray to Almighty God that the departed soul rests in eternal peace, with the certainty that the Good Shepherd has already welcomed to eternal life this generous and committed son of His flock,” he said while praying that his soul rest in peace.
Friend of the poor: MPCC
The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) in its emergent condolence meeting held on Saturday expressed profound grief and sorrow at the sudden and sad passing away of Dominic Jala.
Members recalled the humanitarian qualities of Jala with faith in secularism and pluralistic society.
The meeting also described him as the true friend of poor and the downtrodden, who had devoted his life to the cause of the disadvantaged section of the society. The members felt that the void caused due to his passing away would be difficult to fill, a statement issued here said.
The members stood in silence for two minutes and prayed to the Almighty to grant eternal repose of the departed soul in His Kingdom. The members also expressed their condolences to the Archdiocese of Shillong, and prayed to the Almighty to give them solace and strength to bear this tragedy and great loss.
The MPCC also expressed sorrow and grief at the passing away of Father Mathew Vellankal, Pastor of St Bonaventure in the same tragic automobile accident, and wished speedy recovery to Father Joseph Parekkatt, who was injured, but is in a stable condition in the hospital.
Kind, humble man: MTDF
The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum (MTDF) expressed shock and grief over Dominic Jala’s demise while describing him as a “kind and humble” man.“It was with great shock and grief that the Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum received the news of the sudden and untimely death of our Most Reverend Dominic Jala, Archbishop of Shillong. He was a kind and humble man who always stood up for the truth. He had been instrumental in guiding and advising the Forum through its many trials and tribulations,’’ a statement said.
It said Jala’s insightful and rational approach to life had always been a great inspiration to the Forum.
“We pray that God, the Almighty Father, may grant his soul the eternal peace that he so richly deserves, and that God may also give solace and strength to all his near and dear ones. Your Grace, you will be reverently remembered and greatly missed. Go in peace,” the statement said.
Man of God: Purely
Dr Purely Lyngdoh of the Church of North India, Shillong while expressing shock and sadness described Dominic Jala as a “man of God.”
“We are shocked and saddened at the passing away of Archbishop Dominic Jala.We convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family as well as to the Diocese as a whole. We have lost a Pastor, a friend and a Man of God. But, may his services and ministry continue to guide, enlighten and build up the lives of many, and the Diocese of Shillong,” a statement issued by him said.
Respected across faiths: CPC
The Central Puja Committee, Meghalaya mourned the demise of Archbishop Dominic Jala saying he was a religious leader respected by everyone across religious faith and that it is a great loss to the state.
A statement issued by CPC General Secretary JL Das said the Archobishop was the Chairman, Community Relation and State Integration Council where CPC is also a member
Friend’s Connection
The Friend’s Connection, Shillong, expressed shock at the untimely passing away of Dominic Jala.
Mourning his death, it offered condolences to all the Catholic faithful and in particular the Shillong Archdiocese and prayed that the departed soul rest in eternal peace, a statement issued by Sonny L Khyriem, President said.