Nine religious groups attend church elders’ dorbar session

SHILLONG, Oct 13: Nine religious groups, including Pynthorumkhrah, Mawpat, Nongmensong, Mawpdang, Umpling, Nongthymmai, Laitumkhrah, Madanryting, and Nongrah, attended the 8th Dorbar Session of the Union of Catholic Elders Zone II, which concluded at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul on Sunday.
The theme of the session was “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples,” taken from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1.
In a separate meeting, the Union of Catholic Bishops Zone II and the Bishops of Pynthorumkhrah discussed and agreed to collaborate with Archbishop Laurence Nongkseh and Archbishop Pascal, the Spiritual Director. Zone II shared its perspectives during the Dorbar session.
The Vicar General of the Diocese of Shillong, Sohblei Richard M Majaw, inaugurated the meeting by raising the Zone’s flag and launching the theme song, “Rah,” sung by the elders of Pynthorumkhrah.
Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh DD, who was the chief guest, celebrated the Holy Mass with priests from the nine denominations. During the 8th Conference of the Elders, Archbishop Lyngdoh urged the elders of the nine Shnat Niam (religious zones) of Zone II to reflect on the significance of the three Ws: Wisdom, Worship, and Work.
“If the elders understand the three Ws, they will become pillars of their families and society,” Archbishop Lyngdoh emphasised.
Following the Mass, Archbishop Lyngdoh also launched a book authored by Rev Barnes Mawrie. The session included discussions on the responsibilities of elders as leaders, accompanied by songs and short skits.
The 8th Dorbar Session concluded with the flag-lowering ceremony by Sohblei Ruben Lyngdoh and the handover of the Lama (leadership baton) of Zone II to Shnat Niam Mawpat for the 9th Dorbar Session.