India: Joachim Walder, the newly appointed Bishop of Mizoram, has stated that it is his top priority to employ targeted pastoral care to unite the many ethnic populations in Barak Valley.
Walder stated in his first interview following the news of his appointment that he planned to visit each parish in the Barrak Valley to encourage peace and harmony among the locals. On March 30, Pope Francis named the 67-year-old priest as the auxiliary bishop of the Aizawl diocese.
The entire state of Mizoram and the Cachar, Hailakandi, and Kaimkanj districts of Assam in northeastern India are included in the diocese.
In order to help the many ethnic groups in the area cooperate and overcome their difficulties, Bishop Walder, who is presently the episcopal vicar of the Barak Valley region, stated that this is one of his goals. Since 1976, he has served as a parish priest and a school principal in northeastern India. He is renowned for his dedication to youth formation.
The bishop-elect also addressed the requests that anti-conversion laws be strictly enforced and that Christians who convert from other religions be removed from the Scheduled Tribes list. He said that while he plans to support young people and collaborate with other denominations to address these issues, he will always be prepared to share the gospel no matter what.
Bishop Walder will attend to the urgent needs of the Barak Valley, said Bishop Stephen Rotlunanga of Aizawl, who welcomed his appointment. The newly elected bishop is appreciative of his assignment and intends to concentrate mostly on the Barak Valley area. He will visit each ethnic group, hear their worries, and reassure them that the Mother Church is concerned about them.
A day-long study and discussion on Synodality was attended by about 100 priests and nuns from the diocese at which the announcement of the new bishop was made. The bishop-elect has already committed to travel plans; thus, the dates for the episcopal ordination will be determined later.
