Shillong, Aug 22: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Saturday attended the Episcopal Silver Jubilee celebration of His Beatitude Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis, Major Archbishop-Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church and Major Archbishop of Trivandrum.
The event was held in Trivandrum, Kerala, in the presence of Chief Minister of Kerala, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, President of the FABC, Most Rev. Dr. Varghese Chakkalakal, President of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council, Dr. Joseph Mar Divanasios, Metropolitan of Kollam Diocese, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, MP Shashi Tharoor, His Beatitude Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Patriarch of the Syriac Catholic Church, Lebanon, leaders of various Churches, clergy and faithful.
Addressing the gathering, CM Sangma congratulated His Beatitude on 25 years of dedicated service and lauded his contributions to education, healthcare and service to the poor.
Recalling his long association with Cardinal Cleemis for over a decade since their meeting in the Vatican during the canonization of St. Mother Teresa, Sangma said the Cardinal’s humility and warmth create an instant and lasting bond.
He also recalled the close friendship between Cardinal Cleemis and his late father P.A. Sangma, and said it was an honour to travel from Meghalaya to be part of the momentous occasion.
Paying tribute to Christian missionaries in Meghalaya and the Northeast, the Chief Minister said, “Before governments came in, it was the Christian missionaries who served our people. Before any department opened schools or PHCs, it was the missionaries who gave us education and healthcare, selflessly.”
He said his late father was a product of Christian mission and the values instilled by the Church continue to guide his life and governance.
Citing Matthew 7:12, the Chief Minister said the same principle of service to humanity drives governance in Meghalaya. He thanked Kerala for its contribution to Meghalaya, noting that many priests and sisters from Kerala, including Auxiliary Bishop CJ Jose and Sister Rose Paindapally who have served over 40 years in remote Garo Hills, have dedicated their lives to serving the state.
