12th Biennial Conference of the Angami Catholic Union underway

Kohima, April 22: The 12th Biennial conference of the Angami Catholic Union (ACU), under the theme "Eucharist the source and summit of Christian life", got underway at Christ the King church in Kohima on Friday. 

The 3-day convention formally began with an invocation by Thekrunei Edward, President of the Angami Catechist Association, followed by the lighting of the convention candle by Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou Kuotsu, Vicar General, Diocese of Kohima &  Rector, St. Xavier Seminary, Jalukie. 

During the inaugural ceremony, Rev. Fr. Dr. George Pazalhoukho Rino, director of St. Joseph's College Men's hostel, addressed the gathering on the topic 'The Eucharist as a sacrifice', as the guest speaker. 

According to the priest, the Eucharist is a memorial of Christ. As he addressed the gathering on the Friday after Easter Sunday, he made biblical references of sacrifices that were documented in the holy book of the Christians. 

Three reasons why sacrifices are made, he said, is to give thanks to God, to make a covenant with God, and to avoid sinning. The biggest sacrifice is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, he said. 

As to why the Eucharist is celebrated at Catholic churches, he said that it was a tradition passed down by the Jews who believed that the Eucharist must be celebrated at a holy place, at a temple, on an altar and by a priest. 

In this regard, he said that the church is a reminder of the sacrifices made by Christ. During the session, he also explained why certain rituals are followed by the church. 

Earlier, Keneingu Albert, President of the Catholic Union at Christ the King church (CKC) welcomed the gathering to the convention. He informed that it was the first time for the parish to host the ACU conference. The inaugural session was presided by Dr. Vilatuo Felix, ACU vice president. The Northern Angami Catholic Union (NACU) was the choir of the ceremony. 

The first day of the conference concluded with the second session presided by Kekhrieneilie Clement, NACU vice president. Vicar General Rev. Fr. Carolus Neisalhou Kuotsu, exhorted the gathering on the 'Code to make confessions the right way".

Nearly a thousand people attended the first day of the session. The second day of the conference will begin with the celebration of the holy mass with Rev. Fr. CM Joseph, Rector abd Parish priest CKC as the main celebrant.