Shillong, Oct 21 (HS): Over week’s wait, the mortal remains of Most Reverend Dominic Jala, archbishop of Shillong, reached Shillong on Sunday night.
From top political leaders to religious heads and common man in Meghalaya all joined hands in the last journey of the Archbishop from Guwahati airport to Shillong.
Few like Social Welfare Minister, Kyrmen Shylla, Nonkrem MLA, Lambor Malngiang joined Shillong MP Vincent Pala and others from Delhi. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, Home Minister James Sangma, Health Minister AL Hek and opposition MLA, Ampareen Lyngdoh, George Lyngdoh, HM Shangpliang, PT Sawkmie beside top BJP leader like Alphons Kannanthanam all reached Guwahati Airport to receive the mortal remains of the dear departed and accompany it home.
It was late afternoon when the mortal remains reached Guwahati airport and it was a scene of utter grief and also unity and brotherhood as he managed to bring together everyone as one even in his death.
The next stop for the cortege was Guwahati provincial house followed by Byrnihat Parish, Nongpoh Parish, and Umsning Parish. The mortal remains of the late Archbishop was kept in his parental home, Mawlai Phudmuri for the night.
It was informed that from Oct 21 till the funeral on Oct 23 at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah at 1 pm, the mortal remains of the Archbishop will be kept at the Cathedral Church for the faithful to pay their homage.
Reverend Archbishop Dominic Jala along with Father Mathew Vellankal, an Indian priest working in the United States, died in a road accident at Colusa County, Oakland, California which occurred around 11 pm on October 10 (10:30 am on October 11 India time) when the two were traveling to Clearlake in California along with Father Joseph Parekkatt, another Indian priest. Salesian Archbishop Jala was 68.
Meanwhile, the Diocese of Jowai which comprises of East and West Jaintia Hills has announced that all catholic schools under its jurisdiction will remain closed on the funeral day as a mark of respect to the Archbishop.
