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Dimapur, April 11, 2026:
Salesian Pioneer of Arunachal Missions Passed Away
Father Job Kallarackal, a Salesian missionary remembered for opening Catholic missions in Arunachal Pradesh and inspiring indigenous vocations while touching countless lives through his retreat preaching, died on April 11 in Dimapur. He was 78.
“With deep sorrow, we inform you of the sad demise of Fr Job Kallarackal, SDB, who passed away at 2:50 a.m. this morning, 11 April 2026, due to cardiac arrest at the Referral Hospital, Dimapur,” Salesian Provincial of Dimapur Province, Father Joseph Pampackal, announced in an official communiqué.
Salesians in the province say his life was marked by courage, pastoral dedication, and a vision for education that transformed tribal communities across the frontier state.
Father Kallarackal will be remembered as one of the earliest missionaries to open the way for the Catholic Church in Arunachal Pradesh, when Christianity faced restrictions there, they said.
He worked to establish schools, hostels, and village chapels, ensuring that tribal children had access to education and opportunities for growth. His mission was not only about evangelisation but also about empowering communities through literacy, healthcare, and social uplift.
Bishop P.K. George of Miao, recalling his co-missionary, said: “Father Job was a true pioneer. He walked into Arunachal when the Church was still finding its footing. His courage and simplicity won the trust of the people, and his vision for education laid the foundation for the vibrant Catholic presence we see today.”
Beyond his pioneering mission, Father Kallarackal was also a much sought-after retreat preacher. His homilies and spiritual conferences were known for their depth, simplicity, and ability to connect scripture with everyday life.
He conducted retreats for priests, religious, and lay faithful across Northeast India and abroad, leaving a lasting spiritual imprint on countless participants who found in him both a guide and a companion on their faith journey.
Father C.C. Jose Champarathy of Itanagar, another Salesian who shared the early mission journey, added: “He was more than a missionary; he was a father figure to countless young people. Fr Job believed in nurturing indigenous vocations, and many priests and sisters today trace their calling back to his encouragement and example.”
Building the Arunachal church
Father Kallarackal’s legacy lives on in the institutions he helped build, the retreats he preached, and the communities he served. His pioneering spirit continues to inspire Salesians and lay leaders who carry forward the mission in Arunachal Pradesh.
Catholicism entered Arunachal Pradesh through young people who embraced the faith while studying in Salesian schools in Assam and other northeastern states.
At the time, Christianity and its missionaries were prohibited in Arunachal Pradesh. Early Catholics and catechists resisted restrictions and persecution, holding fast to their faith and proclaiming it in villages.
The seed of faith took root under the guidance of missionaries such as Father Kallarackal, whose spirit carried him beyond borders and into villages across western Arunachal Pradesh.
By the late 20th century, Christianity had grown rapidly in the state, rising from less than 1% of the population in 1971 to more than 30% by the 2011 census.
Current estimates place the figure above 40%. Christians have spread primarily among indigenous tribes through mission work, education and social change.
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest denomination, with about 180,000 members, followed by significant Baptist communities.
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