On 29 June, nine minors fled the Vidyadeep Children's Home in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. They caused a disturbance and reported abuse to the district authorities. The Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod deny all allegations. Sr. D'Souza: ‘The story has taken a political turn.’ Bishop Pinto: ‘An example of selfless dedication for over a century.’
Moscow has become the first government to complete the normalisation of relations with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Since 2018, Russian policy towards the Taliban had begun to change, moving from formal opposition to an evident search for cooperation. But the new friendship with Kabul will develop in the usual style of mutual suspicion and cross-checking
The G25 and legal expert Jerald Joseph call for reforms to protect the judiciary from political influence. The positions of the next president of the Court of Appeal and the president of the Supreme Court are hanging in the balance. Urgent reform of the 2009 Judicial Appointments Commission Act is also called for.
Prevost in Castel Gandolfo celebrated Mass in the parish of St Thomas of Villanova. His homily on the parable of the Good Samaritan: the need for a “revolution of love”; peoples “victims of oppressive political systems, of an economy that forces them into poverty, of war”. At the Angelus: “Do not forget to pray for peace”.
In first ever, a training course organised in collaboration with a company in the sector explored not so much the ethical implications but the opportunities for the practical use of these tools in pastoral care. Participants said: ‘It can become an essential aid in improving preaching and pastoral care.’
The pontiff received the institute gathered for its General Assembly at Castel Gandolfo, together with other female congregations holding their chapters. In a specific message to PIME, he invited them to be “instruments of peace in troubled contexts and evangelisers through fraternal dialogue with other religions”. “Take to heart the little ones and the marginalised, in charity, in the search for justice and in the defence of the dignity of every person”.