Kohima
The Midwest and Kohima Jesuit Provinces have had a convenio relationship since 2002. Jesuits in both regions are known for their work with indigenous people. The vision of the Kohima Region states: “We are on a mission accompanying the marginalized through the service of faith and the promotion of justice, while engaging in dialogue with cultures and religious traditions.”
Projects of the Kohima Jesuits in Northeast India are located in the primarily rural, mountainous Himalayan hills and valleys between Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Tibet. The region’s land, cultures, and languages are among the most diverse in the world, and Northeast India is historically, politically, and ethnically distinct from mainland India.
The Kohima Jesuits focus on the following ministries/works:
- Pastoral: Establishing village parishes and mission stations; training lay leaders to work with local faith communities
- Education: Teacher training; supporting vocational/ agricultural projects, high schools, middle schools, and primary schools
- Health Care: Working closely with local women’s religious congregations, parish centers, schools, and medical dispensaries; reducing child mortality from 50-65% to as little as 5-8% in places of operation
- Social Research: Advocacy-based research to support human rights, religious tolerance, economic and social justice, and environmental preservation
- Socio-Economic Transformation: Literacy training, economic self-help cooperatives, microfinancing, orphan care, and legal advocacy for marginalized groups
- Diocesan Support: Educating and providing spiritual direction to local clergy, religious, lay leaders, and legal advocacy for marginalized groups
- Conflict Resolution and Peace Initiatives: Mediation and peace building between groups that suffer from historical tensions or disputes
