Fr. Peter Lepcha

Born in Gorubathan, a sub division of Kalimpong on 4th November 1937. His father Late Francis and mother Late Rosina Lepcha were devout Catholics. Fr. Peter is the third of the four siblings of one daughter and three sons. He completed his secondary education from St. George’s School, Pedong in the year 1957 when he passed his tenth standard; thereafter he worked in Bhutan in the forest department for two years. In 1960 he gave up his work and decided to work full time in the vineyard of the Lord.

Hence he joined the seminary. He was in Lucknow, St. Paul’s Minor Seminary for four years. Thereafter he went for his philosophy and Theology studies to St. Albert’s Seminary, Ranchi. He was ordained a priest at Kalimpong, on 3rd December 1970. Asked about his vocation he attributes it to his family support especially his sister and mother and he also recalls the influence of Late Fr. Sycherr CR during Fr. Peter days at St. Georges, Pedong. Fr. Peter is indeed a priest with a zeal for souls and heart filled with charity. It is almost sure that wherever he goes he opens his parish house for students and slowly builds up a small hostel.

He has helped many young boys out of whom some are priests and seminarians today. Frs. Joachim Sada, Joachim Syanthamoo and Fr. Paul Sitling are witnesses of his benevolence, and a host of seminarians in particular Peter, Paul, Alexius, Bruno, are aspiring to follow his footsteps. While in Nimbong he was almost known as the Mother Teresa of Nimbong and perhaps the same prevails where ever he goes as he has a penchant to help the sick His message to the clergy is to prayerful and lead a life of prayer he specially exhorts the new clergy to lead prayerful lives, .To the faithful he calls upon them to deepen their faith and be faithful to the teachings of the church.

His ministries so far are:

I971 – 72: Co Pastor at St. Teresa’s Church, Kalimpong

1972 – 73: Co Pastor Pedong, Sacred Heart

1973 – 80” Parish Priest in Tanyang, St. Peter’s Church

981 – 86: Parish Priest in Suruk, St Maurice’s Church

1986-98: Parish Priest, Nimbong, St. Margaret Mary’s Church.

1998-2005: Parish Priest Pakyong, Christ the King Church.

2006 – till date: Parish Priest, Pringtam – Kankebong, St. Patrick’s Church.