Canonisation of Bishop Marengo begins

Shillong, Apr 15 (UNI) A Roman Catholic Church here has started the process of canonisation of the first bishop of Meghalaya's Garo Hills, Orestes Marengo, as a saint.

The first phase of the canonisation known as the ''diocesan process'' started at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Tura in state's West Garo Hills district on April 12 last, in the presence of religious delegates from eighteen institutions of Garo Hills.

The process was inaugurated by Archbishop Dominic Jala of Shillong.

Italy born Bishop Marengo came here in 1923 and served the people of North-East for 75 years as a shepherd and spread the knowledge of Christianity among the people.

He died on July 30, 1998, after he went back to Tura.

Under the canonisation process a five-member Tribunal has been set up which will record the testimonies of fortyone witnesses on the virtues and fame of sanctity of the late Bishop.

The Tribunal members comprises Delegate Judge Rev Fr Januarius S Sangma, Promoter of Justice Rev Fr Jose Chirackal, Sr Marcellina S Sangma and Sr Bernadeth Surin as the Notary and Additional Notary, and the Vice-Postulator of the Cause Rev Fr P V Joseph.

Late Bishop Marengo was well-versed in over twenty languages of the North-Eastern states. He was a pioneer in health care and education to the remote and backward regions of the Garo Hills.

Rev Fr P V Joseph, Vice Postulator of the Cause told UNI here that the purpose of the ''diocesan process'' was to learn about the Bishop's life from all those who knew him.

He further added the 'diocesan process' also studies the life, virtue and fame of sanctity of the servant of God.

''Scientific experts and theologians would examine the miracles that took place with the Bishop,'' Fr Joseph added.

The tribunal is expected to take a minimum of two years to compile all the testimonies of the witnesses before it is sent to the Sacred Congregation for the Cause of Saints in Rome, Fr Joseph said.

Orestes Marengo was the first Bishop of Tura Diocese, Dibrugarh and Tezpur.

UNI