Ranchi church selects first woman priest

RANCHI - Chonhen Minz, a 39-year old tribal, became the first woman to be selected as priest of North Western Gossener Evangelical Lutheran Church (NWGEL) of Ranchi, a church official said Tuesday.

“It is a great feeling to become a parish priest. This is the first time in eastern India that any woman has become a priest in NWGEL,” an ecstatic Minz told IANS.

A mother of two daughters, Minz is married to a Border Security Force soldier. She was appointed Monday.

She did her graduation from Ranchi University, and studied theology in Chennai from 1994 to 1998.

She was engaged in missionary work in various districts of Chattisgarh, the official added.