Linus Neli

Archbishop Linus Neli is the third Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Imphal. He was appointed by Pope Francis on 7 October 2023.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]}

Linus was born on 26 April 1957 in Senapati, Manipur. He studied philosophy at Christ the King College, Shillong, and theology from Papal Seminary, Pune. He holds a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome.^[1][3][5][6]

Bishop Neli was ordained a priest on 20 December 1984, for the Archdiocese of Imphal.^[1][5][6] He has held several academic, pastoral, administrative, and judicial responsibilities within the Church over the course of his priestly ministry.

His appointments include:

• Dean of Studies at the Minor Seminary of Imphal (1985–1986)^[10]
• Secretary to the Archbishop of Imphal (1986–1988)^[11]
• Assistant Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish, Hundung (1988–1989)^[12]
• Chancellor and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Imphal (1994–1998)^[13]
• Principal of the Sacred Heart Institute, Hundung (1998–2004)^[14]
• Associate Director at St. John’s Medical College Hospital, Bangalore (2004–2007)^[15]
• Vicar General of the Diocese of Imphal (2007–2010)^[16]
• Parish Priest of Mary Help of Christians Parish, Ukhrul (2010–2013)^[17]
• National Director of Caritas India (2013–2014)^[18]
• Rector of Oriens Theological College, Shillong (2014–2017)^[19]
• Parish Priest and Principal of the San Pietro Institute, Monsang Pantha (2016–2019)^[20]
• Director of the Archdiocesan Retreat Centre and Judicial Vicar of the Metropolitan Tribunal of Imphal (2019– October 2023)^[21]

On 7 October 2023, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Dominic Lumon and appointed Linus Neli as the new archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Imphal. He was Ordained Bishop on 8 December 2023 by Dominic Lumon.^{[1][2][3][5][6][22][23]}

Coat of Arms was modified and redesigned by Bro. Kendrick Ivan of Philippines.