Most Rev. Dominic Jala, SDB, DD, Archbishop of Shillong and Apostolic Administrator of Nongstoin passed away in a road accident at Colusa County, California, USA. After the Ad Limina visit of the Bishops Northeast India to Rome which included a meeting with the Holy Father Pope Francis, Archbishop Dominic Jala went to the United States of America to attend a meeting of the International Commission English Liturgy (ICEL). On 11 October 2019 at 2:30 am (IST) while traveling with two priests, Fr. Mathew Vellankal and Fr. Joseph Parekatt, their car met with an achieve. The Archbishop and Fr. Mathew Vellankal died on the spot, while Fr. Joseph Parekatt was injured.
Archbishop Dominic Jala was born on 12 July 1951 at Mawlai in the Archdiocese of Shillong. He is the fourth of eight children of late Marius Lein Kharumnuid and late Maria Hina Jala Kharbhih. At a young age, he joined the Salesians of Don Bosco and made his first profession on 24 May 1969 and was ordained a priest on 19 November 1977.
As a priest, he worked for the years at Don Bosco Maligaon (1977-1980) and went to Rome and completed his doctoral studies in liturgy (1980-1985). He returned to India and was a professor at Sacred Heart Theological College, Shillong. In 1989 he was appointed as Rector of St. Antony’s College, Shillong (1989-1990). He was elected the Vice Provincial of the Salesian Province of Guwahati (1990-1993). Thereafter, he was appointed Rector of Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong (1993-1996). He was then elected the Provincial of Guwahati Province in 1996.
He was entrusted with the task of shepherding the Archdiocese of Shillong by Pope John Paul II on 22nd December 1999 and was ordained bishop on 2nd April 2000. At the transfer of Bishop Victor Lyngdoh from Nongstoin to the Diocese of Jowai in 2016, Archbishop Dominic Jala was also appointed as the Apostolic Administrator of Nongstoin.
As a bishop, he was actively involved in all matters connected with the church in the Archdiocese, in Northeast India, at the National level (CBCI) and the universal Church. From 2012-2019 (September), he was the chairman of the North East India Regional Bishop’s Council (NEIRBC). He was also the Chairman of the Liturgical Commission of the Conference of the Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) for several years. He was the Member Secretary of the International Commission for the English Liturgy (ICEL, Washington DC) which brought out the new English Text of the Holy Mass (Missal) of the Catholic Church. Since 2017, he had been a member of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of Sacraments.
Archbishop Dominic will be fondly remembered to be everyone who has come in contact with him. He is known for his simple lifestyle and approachability. He was a pastor with great concern for the poor and the needy. As a leader, he led with wisdom and gracefulness. He was a source of inspiration for the church and society as a whole. He was a prayer who could interpret the Word of God in relation to the current problems and situations of the people. He was well informed and was greatly aware of issues affecting the church and society.
The Archbishop had a great interest in the moral and faith formation of the youth. He loved the youth and initiated programs for their growth and development. He also stressed the importance of Catechism classes in parishes for instruction of the young in catholic doctrines. He was very supportive of small Christian communities as a way of being the church and promoted participation and communion among communities.
The Archbishop’s contribution towards promoting education is notable. He encouraged the young to take up more vocational studies and courses at higher levels so as to create for themselves jobs opportunities. He was also a champion in promoting social works. He gave full support and encouragement for social projects in order to support and uplift the farmers, the poor and the needy. He took pains to visit villagers in order to promote social upliftment.
Ever since he became the Archbishop, he took a keen interest in Liturgical renewal in the Archdiocese and the Church in India. Everyone could feel and realize the Liturgical renewal in the celebration of the liturgy. This is because he himself celebrated the liturgy of the Eucharist and other sacraments meaningfully, to lead the faithful to have an experience of God.
The Archbishop took great interest to promote ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. He believed in the inclusiveness of different cultures and unity in diversity.
The Archbishop was well-read, well informed and was endowed with great intellectual acumen. For this reason, he was a very much sought after resource person for seminars and consultations at the regional and national levels. He has published extensively on Liturgical and theological subjects with an orientation towards developing a contextual theology. He tried to promote inculturation at deeper levels by inculcating indigenous methods and symbols.
Previous was his life; even more precious is good death in the eyes of the Lord. He lived his life in its fullness, and of this fullness, he shared with others through his service to God and his church for fifty years as a religious, forty-two years as a priest and nineteen years as an Archbishop. The Archbishop lived his life according to the Episcopal motto, “to grow in the unity of the Holy Spirit” (Eph 4:3). Every word and action of his was meant to build up the Church and the Civil society. He died in harness as a good shepherd and will be more fruitful in his death like a grain that dies (Jn 12:24). May he hear the words of the Master inviting him to inherit the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world (Mt 25:34). May he continue from the Father’s home, to guide the destiny of the Archdiocese. May he inspire us with the vision and strengthen it with his intercession.
May he rest in peace.
