Fr. Paul Kip Thawng, former RVA Hakha Chin Coordinator, has arrived to serve as the new parish priest of St. Francis Assisi Parish in Falam Zone on July 22, 2026, expressing gratitude to God for guiding him safely to the village and calling on the faithful to work together in unity as they embark on a new chapter of their faith journey.

“I thank God for bringing us safely to this village,” Fr. Paul said during his welcoming ceremony. “I am grateful to all of you who came to welcome us, and I also thank the priests who accompanied me on this journey.”

Although Fr. Paul is originally from Farso village, he said he now considers himself a member of the parish community. He encouraged the faithful to work together in building and strengthening the parish.

“As I said when I was a seminarian, I am from Zathlir, but today I come here as one of you,” he said. “There is much work for us to do together. I will do my best to serve this parish as a father, and I ask for your support and cooperation.”

A Message of Hope and Unity

Fr. Paul reminded the faithful that although their parish has only four villages and a small number of members, they should not lose hope. He encouraged everyone to remain united and participate in God’s mission.

“If we stay together and work in unity, we will surely accomplish what God wants for this parish,” he said.

During the gathering, Fr. Dominic Thawm Hlei Hnin also shared his gratitude and happiness with the people. He explained that he had stayed in the village for about one and a half years after his own parish was left because of conflict.

“During that time, I found shelter here,” Fr. Dominic said. “Now that the situation in Falam has become more stable, I will return to live and serve together with my parishioners.”

A Long Journey of Service

Fr. Paul has served the Catholic community in the Diocese of Hakha, Chin State, for 24 years. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 2002. In 2011, he suffered a serious road accident while traveling from Kalay to Hakha and underwent a major operation on his leg. After recovering, he received training in 2017 to lead the RVA Hakha Chin Service, serving as its coordinator until January 2026.

Although his physical condition may limit some activities, Fr. Paul said he will continue serving the mission of the Church through online platforms. He shared that he follows the example of St. Thérèse’s “Little Way,” which teaches people to do small things with great love.

As the eldest son in his family, Fr. Paul is known for warmly receiving fellow priests and sharing what he has with others. He also enjoys planting and caring for flowers, hoping to create a more beautiful environment for everyone.

Following the establishment of the new Diocese of Mindat, the Diocese of Hakha continues to need more priests to serve the faithful and take responsibility for vacant parishes across the diocese. Fr. Paul’s arrival marks a new step of service and hope for the parish community.

By RVA Hakha Chin Service