Archbishop of Shillong Archdiocese, Most Rev. Dominic Jala has passed away in a road accident in the USA on Thursday.
“With great sorrow, we inform you that our beloved Archbishop, Most Rev. Dominic Jala, died in a car accident in the USA,” said Fr. John Madur, Chancellor of the Shillong Archdiocese.
“Please pray for the departed soul,” he added.
Both Archbishop Dominic Jala and Fr. Mathew Vellankal passed away in a fatal car crash with a semi-truck in the USA.
The accident occurred around 11 pm (10:30 am India) on Thursday when the two were travelling to Clearlake in California along with Father Joseph Parekkatt.
“Their car collided with a semi-truck in Colusa Country, California,” stated a press note from the diocese of Oakland.
Fr. Joseph Parekkatt is in serious condition in the hospital.
Arrangements are pending as an autopsy is required.
Rev Jala was born on July 12, 1951, at Mawlai.
He was appointed as Archbishop of Shillong on December 22, 1999, and ordained as Archbishop on April 2, 2000.