Northeast Churches Turn to Charismatic Movement for Spiritual Succor

Dimapur – The Christian community in northeastern region of India is responding to the charismatic movement even as the people of hilly regions are searching different ways to counter ethnic violence, drug addictions and other social evils.

According to Bishop Jose Mukala, who conducted a training program in Kohima for charismatic leaders in October, there is an increase in demand for charismatic revival in northeast India. Though the charismatic movement has existed in Nagaland for quite some time, yet, the Catholic Church did not pursue it persistently. However, time is changing and “there is a rediscovery of the Holy Spirit within the Church,” he said.

The leadership training program conducted in Kohima drew 73 people, 53 of them lay people, from nine of the 11 dioceses in the region.

Since long, Nagaland and other northeast states, whose predominant population comprise of tribal, have witnessed ethnic violence. These tribal have for decades complained that they are exploited socially and politically in their own land, and have been demanding the right of self–determination. Often their protests have turned violent and have given rise to several insurgent groups.

Counter insurgency operations by the security forces as well as inter–tribal fighting for dominance have claimed over 100,000 lives. Political and economic instability, in turn, have been blamed for aggravating corruption, unemployment, drug abuse and alcoholism.

Bishop Mukala said, "Many people now feel that when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our midst and take control of our lives, these problems will be solved and things will fall into place."

According to news reports, facilitators and trainees at the leadership program feel that it had a positive effect and sessions of discourses and prayers had helped in initiating "spiritual healing of the inner wounds, mental depressions and physical sicknesses" within the society. Many of those who felt that catholic services were dry and perfunctory, were excited by charismatic renewal and its style of clapping, singing and dancing for the Lord. “It is much livelier,” one participant said.

One aim of the program was to attract more people, particularly young people, to the Church, said Father Paul Punneliparambil, director of the Retreat Center in Imphal, Manipur. Some people who are not happy with the hierarchical Church are attracted to faith–sharing and healing services, he explained.

There is an increasing rush for healing through prayer, according to Kohima Diocesan Father Alex Vizo. "Many of our Catholics go to Protestant pastors for prayer–healing whenever they are sick," he said, citing the need to present "our own charismatic healers."

Father Solomon Vizo, the local organizer, elaborated on this. "Many of our Catholics have a Protestant background or are influenced by them. Charismatic renewal is very popular among Protestants, but we are just beginning. This will be a springboard for us to begin from here," he said.

Most of the 6 million Christians among the 37 million people living in the seven states are Baptists.

The vicar general of Kohima Diocese, Father Matthew Keematam, said the training program was held primarily to "renew and deepen the faith of the people, and thus make a society where peace and unity may prevail." He expects it to spur the formation of charismatic teams in each diocese, which will in turn lead to the establishment of parish charismatic teams.