The newly appointed bishop of Mizoram says his main priority is to bring Barak Valley’s diverse ethnic communities together through focused pastoral care and help them work together overcoming all their challenges.
“I will visit every parish and in the Barrak Valley and work for peace and harmony among the people,” Bishop-elect Joachim Walder told in his first-ever interview after the announcement of his appointment.
Pope Francis on March 30 appointed the 67-year-old priest as the Aizawl diocese’s auxiliary bishop. The diocese covers the entire state of Mizoram and Assam’s Cachar, Hailakandi and Kaimkanj districts in northeastern India.
He is currently the episcopal vicar of Barak Valley region that covers Assam’s three districts.
Bishop Stephen Rotlunanga of Aizawl said the new bishop will address the pressing needs of the Barrak Valley. He recalled the Church’s several attempts to find a definite solution to the valley’s various issues.
The bishop-elect says he is willing to witness Christ in all challenges.