Darjeeling: A Hills college marked 94th World Mission Sunday with a multi-city release of a book written by its alumnus, 18 October 2020. The book entitled ‘Cross on the Roof” a Brief History of the Catholic Church in Tibet and Nepal by Fr. George Thirumalachalil is a Salesian College Publication in collaboration with Nepal Don Bosco Society, Kathmandu.
The 235 book traces the history of Church in Tibet, Nepal and Eastern India bordering Nepal, North Bengal and Sikkim.
“The book chronicles the saga of passion, peril, perseverance, martyrdom and death that brought the message of the Gospel to Lhasa, Tron-gne and Shigatse in Tibet, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, Bhatgaon and Navakot in Nepal, Patna, Bettiah, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Pedong, Maria Busty and Sikkim in India,” says author Salesian Father Thirumalachali.
The book narrates the missionary efforts of Capuchins, Jesuits, Foreign Missions of Milan (PIME), Foreign Missions of Paris (MEP) Canons Regular, Loreto Sisters, Cluny Sisters and others.
The book was released on line from seven cities including Kolkata, Siliguri, Sonada, Darjeeling, Miao (Arunachal Pradesh), Kathmandu and Rome.
Provincial of Kolkata Salesian province Fr Joseph Pauria complemented Thirumalachali and released the book.
Bishop Paul Simik of Kathmandu while releasing the book, praised author Thirumalachalil for his contribution on the occasion of sliver jubilee of Assumption Cathedral of Kathmandu (established in 1995) named after the first church built in Tibet.
Alumnus of Salesian College and classmate of the author, Bishop George Palliparambil of Miao in Arunachal Pradesh whose diocese borders Tibet also participated in the online book launch.
Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta who encouraged the author to embark on writing the mission history was not present due to pastoral engagements and sent a message.
Speaking at the book launch Mission Coordinator of Nepal Don Bosco Society Fr Augusty Pulickal reminded participants, “This should be the beginning of re-establishing, re-connecting and remembering missionaries of the past, some of whom sacrificed their lives in the early thirties.”
Rector of Salesian College Sonada and director of Publications Fr. Tomy Augustine whose doctoral thesis was on Tibetan Buddhism edited the manuscript and supervised production of the book printed in Kochi.