By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 3: The impasse in Mawkhar Presbyterian Church has reached the corridors of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC), with the council’s Executive Committee (EC) revoking the marriage licence of the church pastor, Rev MacDonald Pyngrope, following a petition submitted by the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian (KJP) Synod Sepngi.
An order was issued on June 26, revoking the licence with immediate effect after the KJP Synod Sepngi informed the council that Rev Pyngrope’s episcopal ordination and recognition as a pastor had been withdrawn, rendering him no longer authorised by the denomination to solemnise Christian marriages. According to the order, the KJP Synod Sepngi had approached the council’s EC by submitting a petition, dated November 28, 2025, seeking the cancellation of the marriage licence granted to Rev Pyngrope under the provisions of the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Christian Marriage) Act, 1954.
As the statutory authority empowered to issue and revoke marriage licences within the KHADC’s jurisdiction, the EC said it examined the petition, the written reply submitted by Rev Pyngrope, the documents furnished by both parties, and the relevant legal provisions before arriving at its decision.
The council stated that Rev Pyngrope was served with a notice and given adequate opportunity to present his case. It maintained that the principles of natural justice were fully observed during the proceedings.
In its order, the EC clarified that it has no authority to adjudicate ecclesiastical matters such as the conferment, suspension, or withdrawal of ordination, which fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the KJP Synod Sepngi.
The council said its decision was not based on an examination of the merits of the church’s action, but on the fact that the ecclesiastical authority that originally recognised Rev Pyngrope as an ordained pastor had formally withdrawn that recognition.
According to the EC, the marriage licence had been granted on the basis of Rev Pyngrope’s status as a duly ordained and recognised pastor. With that recognition no longer in force, the very basis on which the licence was issued ceased to exist.
Consequently, the EC exercised its powers under Sections 3 and 4 of the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Christian Marriage) Act, 1954, read with Section 6 of the Indian Christian Marriage Act, 1872, and revoked the licence with immediate effect.
The order emphasised that the decision should not be interpreted as a ruling on the ongoing dispute within the church or on the validity of the Synod’s decision to withdraw ordination.
It stated that the council’s consideration was confined solely to the exercise of its statutory responsibilities under the applicable marriage laws.
The development marks the latest chapter in the ongoing controversy surrounding Mawkhar Presbyterian Church over the alleged misappropriation of church funds amounting to more than Rs 4 crore. The issue has triggered a prolonged dispute within the congregation, and between Rev MacDonald Pyngrope and the KJP Synod Sepngi, drawing significant public attention in recent months.
Adding to the controversy, Rev Pyngrope’s vehicle was vandalised in two separate incidents, reported on May 24 and June 24 this year. Both cases are under police investigation, and authorities have not indicated any connection between the vandalism incidents and the council’s decision to revoke the marriage licence.
