The Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong () is a Catholic archdiocese with its jurisdiction in the two district of Ri Bhoi and East Khasi Hills State of Meghalaya, in northeastern India. The Archdiocese of Shillong is also the metropolitan diocese of the Province of Shillong, an ecclesiastical province in Northeast India. It serves 346,060 followers in 49 parishes under 8 zones in the 2 districts. The rural parishes are usually divided into Village Church called "Balang shnong" , each with a head known as "Rangbah Balang" who assist the Parish Priest at the village level while urban parishes are divided into CMCs and balang dong . The Archdiocese usually organised programmes, teaching and worship at Diocese level, Zonal Level, Parish level, CMC (Catholic Managing Committee)/ village level and Small Christian communities or Kynhun Balang barit (KBB).
History Established on 15 December 1889 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Assam on territory split off from the Diocese of Krishnagar 9 July 1934: Promoted as Diocese of Shillong Lost territory on 12 July 1951 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dibrugarh Lost territory on 16 January 1964 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tezpur 26 June 1969: Promoted as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Gauhati–Shillong 22 January 1970: Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong–Gauhati Lost territory on 1 March 1973 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tura Lost territory on 5 December 1983 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Diphu Lost territory on 30 March 1992 and renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Shillong to establish the now Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guwahati Lost territory on 28 January 2006 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nongstoin Lost territory on 28 January 2006 to establish the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jowai
Cathedral The cathedral of the Archdiocese is the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, in Shillong. It was built over 50 years ago. This place of worship stands on the very site of the first Church built by the German fathers (Salvatorians from Germany).
The earlier 1913 building – the Church of the Divine Saviour – was a wooden structure. It was destroyed in the Good Friday fire of 10 April 1936. Built by the first Catholic missionaries to set foot on these hills, the Salvatorians from Germany, it was the first Catholic Cathedral in what was then the Mission of Assam.
Ordinaries
The Catholic Church's presence in the northeastern region of India, particularly in Assam and Meghalaya, has been marked by a succession of ecclesiastical leaders. Beginning with Apostolic Prefects overseeing the early missionary efforts, the hierarchy evolved to include bishops and later metropolitan archbishops.
Apostolic Prefects of Assam Fr. Otto Hopfenmüller, Salvatorians (S.D.S.) (1890) Fr. Angelus Münzloher, (S.D.S.) (1890 - 1906) Fr. Cristoforo Becker, (S.D.S.) (1906 – 1921) Fr. Louis Mathias, S.D.B. (15 December 1922 – 9 July 1934 see below)
Bishops of Shillong
Louis Mathias, S.D.B. (see above 9 July 1934 – 25 March 1935), later Metropolitan Archbishop of Madras (India) (1935.03.25 – 1952.11.13) and Metropolitan Archbishop of (renamed) Madras and Mylapore(India) (1952.11.13 – 1965.08.02) Stephen Ferrando, S.D.B. (26 November 1935 – 26 June 1969); previously Bishop of Krishnagar (India) (1934.07.09 – 1935.11.26), later Titular Archbishop of Troina (1969.06.26 – 1978.06.21)
Metropolitan Archbishops of Gauhati–Shillong
Hubert D Rosario, S.D.B. (1969.06.26 – 1970.01.22 see below), previously Bishop of Dibrugarh (India) (1964.07.06 – 1969.06.26)
Metropolitan Archbishops of Shillong – Gauhati
Hubert D’Rosario, S.D.B. (as above 26 June 1969 – 30 March 1992 see below)
Metropolitan Archbishops of Shillong
Hubert D’Rosario, S.D.B. (as above 30 March 1992 – 30 August 1994) Tarcisius Resto Phanrang, S.D.B. (2 August 1995 – 5 May 1999), previously Titular Bishop of Corniculana & Auxiliary Bishop of Shillong (India) (1990.06.11 – 1995.08.02) Dominic Jala, S.D.B. (22 December 1999 – 10 October 2019) Victor Lyngdoh , Diocesan (28 December 2020 – Present) , previously Bishop of Nongstoin and Jowai Dioceses Bernard Laloo , Diocesan (March 30, 2025 - Present ) , Auxiliary Bishop
Ecclesiastical Province of Shillong
The Shillong Archdiocese serves not only as an ecclesiastical seat but also as the metropolitan Archdiocese of the Shillong province. A province within the Catholic Church is a grouping of dioceses under the authority of an archbishop. In the case of the Shillong province, it comprises the Shillong Archdiocese itself, along with the Tura Diocese, Aizawl Diocese, Agartala Diocese, Jowai Diocese, and Nongstoin Diocese. This arrangement reflects the hierarchical structure of the Church, wherein archbishops oversee the administration and spiritual welfare of multiple dioceses within their respective province.
The Archbishop of Shillong though have no ruling power over the other dioceses but in disputes within a diocese of the province, the diocese may seek assistance from the metropolitan archdiocese of their ecclesiastical province where the metropolitan Archbishop may intervene under canon law.
The Province of Shillong comprises the following suffragan dioceses that has Shillong as its metropolitan see: Agartala Aizawl Jowai Nongstoin Tura
Parishes
The Archdiocese of Shillong comprises 49 parishes divided into 8 zones : ZoneChurch NameParishYear EstablishedEcclesiastical AdministrationZone 1St. Dominic Savio ChurchMawlai1938Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)St. Joseph's ChurchMawkhar1951DiocesanSts. Peter and Paul ChurchPynthorumkhrah1997Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)Church of the VisitationMawprem2002DiocesanSt. Anne's ChurchMawtawar2024Society of the Divine Saviour (SDS)Our Lady of Holy Rosary ChurchMawïong2024DiocesanZone 2Cathedral of Mary Help of ChristiansLaitumkhrah1890DiocesanSt. Paul's ChurchUpper Shillong1965DiocesanSt. John the Apostle ChurchLaban1974DiocesanDivine Saviour ChurchNongthymmai1974Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)Mary Queen of Peace ChurchMawñianglah2024DiocesanMary Mother of Hope ChurchRangbihbih-Pomlakrai2026DiocesanZone 3St. John Bosco ShrineSohra1931Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)Resurrection ChurchPynursla1957DiocesanBlessed Sacrament ChurchLaitlyngkot1983DiocesanMary Queen of Peace ChurchLaitkroh2003Sts. Peter and Paul ChurchLaitkynsew2004Society of the Divine Saviour (SDS)St. Mother Teresa ChurchNongshyrngan2016Zone 4U Khrist Jingshai ChurchMarbisu1950DiocesanSt. Francis Xavier's ChurchMawsynram1976Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (CMF)Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary ChurchDangar1993St. George's ChurchWahlang2002Sacred Heart ChurchDiengïei2007St. Stephen ChurchSawsymper2008Zone 5Good Shepherd ChurchJongksha1972Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC)Holy Cross ChurchMawkynrew1987Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC)Divine Mercy ChurchMawryngkneng2003St. Joseph's ChurchLaitkor2004DiocesanU Khrist U Syiem ChurchMadanrting2024DiocesanSacred Heart ChurchSmit2025Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)Immaculate Heart of Mary ChurchThynroit2027Zone 6Our Lady of the Assumption ChurchNongpoh1953Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)Our Lady of Lourdes ChurchUmkadhor1985St. Francis of Assisi ChurchByrnihat1999Lum Sinai ChurchUmden2006St. Francis of Assisi ChurchUmsiang2023Our Lady of Miracles ChurchUmtyrnga2025Zone 7Epiphany ChurchMawbri1972DiocesanChurch of the AscensionUmsohlait1972DiocesanMary Mother of God ChurchUmsning1977DiocesanSt. Paul's ChurchMawlasnai2009St. Francis Xavier ChurchUmbir2013Society of Jesus (SJ)U Khrist U Syiem ka Jingkyrmen ChurchMawkyrdep2026Holy Family ChurchZero Point-Umshorshor2027Zone 8Sacred Heart ShrineNongmensong2010DiocesanImmaculate Heart of Mary ChurchMawpat2012Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary (CMF)St. Rose of Lima ChurchUmpling2024DiocesanSt. Dominic Savio ChurchNongrah2024DiocesanMary Help of Christians ChurchMawpdang2024Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)
Diocesan institutions
Seminary The Archdiocese of Shillong currently have the following seminary for men who aspire to be a Diocesan Priest :
St. Paul's Apostolic Seminary , Upper Shillong - A minor seminary and a prestigious seminary that has produced many great priests and bishops . This seminary is only for those studying in Class 8 to 10 . St. Xavier Minor Seminary , Upper Shillong - a minor seminary for boys of Class 11 and 12 Christ King College , Shillong - a Major Seminary of the Archdiocese of Shillong for Philosophical formation Oriens Theological College , Shillong - An inter-diocesan major seminary for Northeast India under the patronage of the Northeast Regional Catholic Bishop’s Council (NRCRC). It offers the four-year theology programme for candidates to priesthood and is affiliated to the Pontifical Urbaniana University, Rome, which grants the Degree of Bachelor of Theology (B. Th.) to eligible students. There are also Seminary and formation houses operated by Religious Congregations such as Savio Juniorate and Sacred Heart Theological College by the Salesians of Don Bosco ,
Healthcare Services
Nazareth Hospital , Shillong
School Education The administration of schools in the archdiocese is autonomously handle by the Parishes .
For example , the Parish School of Cathedral Parish is Divine Saviour Higher Secondary School , Shillong .
Apart from Parish Schools , there are many autonomous schools run by religious congregations notably the SDB , RNDM , etc . The iconic Don Bosco Square in Laitumkhrah is surrounded by such around it namely St. Anthony's School by the SDB , St. Mary's School by the RNDM Sisters , St. Margaret's School by the MSMHC Sisters , Loreto Convent by the Loreto Sisters , St. Edmund's School by the Christian Brothers .
Higher Education The Archdiocese currently has only one higher education institute in Ri Bhoi District , i.e. Balawan College offering Bachelor Degree program .
Most higher education colleges in the diocesan are operated by religious congregations such as St. Anthony's College , St. Edmund's College , St. Mary's College , Rapsbun School of Nursing ,etc . There is only one upcoming Catholic University in the state of Meghalaya , called "St. Xavier University" by the Jesuits of North East India Province.
Saints and causes for canonisation Venerable Stephen Ferrando,SDB Venerable Constantine Vendrame, SDB Lorenz Hopfenmuller (Otto),SDS
Laity Associations The Archdiocese has primarily 3 associations for the laity . These includes :
Shillong Archdiocese Catholic Youth Movement (SACYM) - For the youths aged 15 above . SACYM is further divided into their respective zone , parishes and villages . Every year there is a convention in each zone/archdiocese level. Synjuk ki Seng Rangbah Katholik , Archdiocese of Shillong - For men aged 35 above whether married or not. It is further divided into their respective zone , parishes and villages . There is an "Annual Meet" in each zone/archdiocese level. Synjuk ki Seng Kynthei Katholik , Archdiocese of Shillong - For women aged 35 above whether married or not. It is further divided into their respective zone , parishes and villages . There is an "Dorbar" in each zone/archdiocese level. Apart from the above , there are also third orders of different religious congregations such as Salesians Cooperators , etc .
The centenary celebration of the erection of the Diocese of Shillong. The Archdiocese of Shillong was erected as a diocese in 1934 . Preparation for the centenary celebration in 2034 is going on notably with the 9 Year Novena focusing on each theme which started in the Advent of 2024 with the Year of Reconciliation to Advent 2025 proclaimed by Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh in the Annual Eucharistic Procession and so on , each year with a specific theme .