NESCOM, Guwahati, February 17, 2026: Fr. Joseph Eluvathingal has been appointed Mission Superior of the Vincentian Congregation (VC) in Northeast India, succeeding Fr. Jose Thottumarickal VC.

Fr. Joseph, currently serving at Gumto Retreat Centre in the Diocese of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, has been engaged in preaching and faith formation ministry in the Northeast for the past nine years. At the time of his appointment, he was serving as one of two councillors under the outgoing mission superior.

The Northeast Mission of the Vincentian Congregation comprises 14 members across seven houses in five states, including West Bengal. The congregation has two houses each in the dioceses of Itanagar and Kohima, and one each in the Archdiocese of Guwahati, the Diocese of Jowai, and the Diocese of Jalpaiguri. Each centre conducts retreat ministries focused on spiritual renewal and evangelisation.

The mission is administered by the Mission Superior with the assistance of two councillors. The mission house is located at Khetri in Assam.

The Vincentian Congregation, a Syro-Malabar clerical society of pontifical right, was founded on November 20, 1904, in Thottakom, Kerala, by Fr. Varkey Kattarath with the approval of Bishop Mar Louis Pazheparampil. Inspired by St. Vincent de Paul, the congregation is dedicated primarily to evangelisation, particularly among the poor.

After declining and dispersing by 1915, the congregation was revived in 1927 and later expanded significantly. It now operates through major provinces including Marymatha, St. Joseph and St. Thomas, and is engaged in preaching, retreat ministry, education and social outreach across India.