Dimapur: Deacon Peuhausuiding Peter, the second priest from Poilwa village and Zeliang tribe, was ordained on January 4 by Bishop James Thoppil Kohima. “You are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Cor 3:9) is Fr. Peter’s priestly motto.
Deacon Peter was escorted to the venue of the ordination by the villagers humming and singing the traditional tunes and firing of guns.
Father Joseph, the first priest from the village and the tribe, the anchored the program. Both the priests belong to the Fransalian congregation.
The bishop, in his homily, clearly enunciated the role of the priest as that of lifting Jesus so that Jesus might draw all people to Himself and give them eternal life.
“Every priest is called upon to lift Jesus to his people as he exercises his pastoral, prophetic and leadership roles. A priest is a priest forever.
No one can assume the role of a priest unless it is given by God and called by the church,” the bishop maintained.
He also added that while the priesthood is a gift and grace from God, every priest must respond and live the priesthood by cultivating and maintaining intimacy with Christ through prayer and reading of the Scriptures.
The bishop, while thanking the family and village for offering their son to the service of God and the church, urged the people to support Fr. Peter through their constant prayers.
Fr. Peter is the 5th son of late Heurangswang Hillary and Peugwapoilie of Poilwa village.
He completed his schooling at All Saints Higher Secondary School, Peren, and did his higher secondary schooling at SFS, Medziphema. He finished his novitiate at Chabua, Assam, and his philosophical and graduation at Suvidya College, Bangalore.
He completed his Theological studies at Oriens Theological College, Shillong. He was ordained as deacon by Dominic Jala, Archbishop of Shillong.
The newly ordained priest gave his first priestly blessing to the people after the Holy Mass and thanked everyone present for the great event in his life, reported nagalandpost.com.