Imphal (AsiaNews) – A new shelter for men with autism, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and Down syndrome was officially inaugurated last Saturday at the Catholic Medical Centre in Imphal, the capital of the state of Manipur.
Named Street Providence Shelter Home, the facility opened on the same day, 8 December, that the new archbishop, Mgr Linus Neli, officially began his ministry in this frontier Church in northeastern India, shaken for months by violence between ethnic Meitei and Kuki.
The consecration of the new archbishop took place at St John Bosco Parish in the village of Senapati in front of 10,000 people in a ceremony led by Archbishop Emeritus Dominic Lumon.
Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, who was present at the event, used the occasion to deliver a message of unity and peace to this hurt land.
Together with the new archbishop, he visited a relief camp at Ideal College in Akampat, handing out materials to the displaced.
Local authorities attended the opening of the shelter in Imphal as did Donald Fernandes, the founder of the NGO Street Providence Goa who was instrumental in getting the new facility established.
In his address, Archbishop Girelli expressed his appreciation for the initiative. Bringing greetings from Pope Francis, he noted that the pontiff was following events in Manipur with concern and prayed for peace in the state.
The apostolic nuncio also said that the home was open to the people of Manipur, without distinction, and for this reason it deserves to be supported by the competent authorities.
