Bishop of Kohima
James Thoppil was born in Kottayam on May 8, 1959, into a Syro-Malabar family. After completing his primary education in Kerala, he entered St. Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Dibrugarh (1974–1977). He subsequently attended Christ King College for philosophy studies (1977–1980) and both Oriens Theological College and Sacred Heart Theological College for theology studies (1982–1985), following a period of practical training at St. Joseph’s Parish in Tseminyu, Nagaland (1980–1982). He was ordained a priest on January 12, 1986, and incardinated into the Diocese of Kohima. Following his ordination, he served in the following roles: 1986–1990: Dean of Studies, Good Shepherd Seminary, Dimapur; 1990–1994: Parish Priest and Principal, Holy Cross Church, Dimapur; Secretary of the Nagaland Association of Catholic Schools; 1994–1999: Studies for the Licentiate and Doctorate in Dogmatic Theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome; 1999–2006: Professor, Chancellor, and Dean of Studies, Oriens Theological College, Shillong; Secretary of the Northeast Diocesan Priests’ Forum for Theological Reflection (NEDPFTR); 2006–2007: Sabbatical year at St. Felicitas Church, San Leandro, California, USA. Since 2007, he has served as Rector of Oriens Theological College, Shillong.