HAFLONG (1974)
St. Francis Xavier Patron
Diphu Diocese
(Attached to Sojong)
Catholic Church
Haflong – 788 819
Assam
(03673) 236352 PP
238306 Asst. PP
236726 School
94350-72745 Fr. Sebastian Kuricheal
Members
Fr. Kuricheal Sebastian HM, Cs
Fr. Nadackal Jose Asst. PP
Fr. Perunneparambil Jose PP
Convents :
RNDM – St. Agnes
(03673) 236261
Holy Spirit Sisters (SSpS)
(03673) 238173
History
Situated at a distance of 350 kms from Guwahati, Haflong is the district headquarters of the North Cachar hills district of Assam. The Catholic population is about 2,000, spread out in 28 villages.
Haflong has a very rich historical past, dating back to the days of the Holy Cross Missions in Dacca, Bangladesh. Being a hill station, this was the resort of the British, and hence the Christian communities existed here even prior to independence. Haflong was established as a prefecture on 17-01-1952, and was handed over to the Holy Cross Fathers of the Canadian province. By an Apostolic constitution of Pope Paul VI, dated June 26, 1969, the prefecture of Haflong was raised to the status of a diocese with the Episcopal See at Silchar. In December 1983, Haflong was detached from the diocese of Silchar and joined to the diocese of Diphu.
The pioneer Salesian missionaries in the area were Frs. Peter Bianchi and Mathew Kadavunkal. The parish was erected in 1974 and is dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. Fr. Peter Bianchi built the present parish church. At present, there is a hostel and an English Medium high school with about 1400 students. Recently, a new hostel for boys has been constructed. The RNDM Sisters have a convent, established quite early, and an excellent High School and hostel for girls.