wfn.org | Catholic Church Foundation laid on "Roof of the World" in North India

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

First ever foundation of a Catholic Church laid in Leh, North
India, on the "roof of the world"

New Delhi, 30 July 2001

Bishop Peter Celestine OFM Cap., of Jammu-Srinagar laid the foundation
stone for St. Peter's Church on the "roof of the world", in the presence
of Emeritus Bishop Hippolytus Kunnunkal OFM Cap., also of
Jammu-Srinagar, Bishop Sebastian Vadakel of Ujjain, Fr. Thomas Parayady,
Superior General of Missionary Society of St. Thomas (MST) and hundreds
of priests, nuns, army and civil officers yesterday 29th July.

"This is going to be the first Church on the "roof of the World", 11,550
feet above sea level in the Jammu-Srinagar Catholic Diocese and the Lord
will be proclaimed, not just from the housetop but from the top of the
world", said Bishop Peter Celestine to the Catholic Bishops' Conference
of India.

The Catholic Mission in the region of Ladakh-Leh, known as the roof of
the world in the current diocese of Jammu-Srinagar, was first started in
1880 by Mill Hill Missionaries. Predominantly a Hindu and Buddhist area,
it has a small Christian population of 15,000 in the midst of 10 million
people. Despite inclement weather throughout the year, the missionaries
continue to serve the people of the place with the aim of bringing the
good news of the Kingdom to the locals.

Issued by Rev. Dr. Dominic Emmanuel svd
Director of Communication/Information Bureau
Contact person: Dominic Emmanuel svd
e-mail: dominic1@vsnl.com
0091 11 3363214; 3369582