Shillong, Jul 3: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has stripped Macdonald Pyngrope, a former pastor of the Presbyterian Church, of his ability to solemnise marriages.
The council took the action in considering a petition submitted by the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Sepngi, which had withdrawn his episcopal ordination. As he is no longer recognised as a pastor, the KHADC ruled that, under the provisions of the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Christian Marriage) Act 1954 read with the Indian Christian Marriage Act 1872, he was not authorised to solemnise marriages henceforth.
The Synod had submitted its petition in September 2025 and the KHADC issued its order on June 26.
According to the KHADC executive committee, it examined the Synod’s petition, Pyngrope’s written reply, supporting documents from both sides and other relevant records before arriving at its decision. The KHADC stated that Pyngrope was given a fair opportunity to present his case and that the principles of natural justice were fully observed throughout the proceedings.
The EC made clear that decisions relating to the conferment, suspension or withdrawal of episcopal ordination fall entirely within the jurisdiction of the Church and that the council has no authority to decide on ecclesiastical or internal religious matters.
Pyngrope has been in the eye of the storm that has surrounded Mawkhar Presbyterian Church, starting with a case of missing church funds, to Pyngrope’s refusal to sign a bond that the church insists of all its pastors regarding the forswearing of political activism unless agreed to by the church.
There are currently two factions now in the church – those who side with Pyngrope and those who back the Synod. The issue is a heated one with Pyngrope twice having had his car vandalised in recent months.
