Mgr Ivan Pereira says people are affected by unrest in the Indian state. Students have been staying away from schools fearing “nationalists and young activists”. Catholics too are afraid. Christians are appreciated by other religious groups "because wherever we go, we are an instrument of peace".
Tamil Nadu, Christians on pilgrimage to sanctuary of Velankanni attacked by Hindu radicals
by Nirmala Carvalho | INDIALahore Archbishop says Christians are close to Muslims in Indian Kashmir
by Shafique Khokhar | PAKISTAN – INDIABishop rejects as false and gratuitous warning by High Court of harassment risk in Christian schools
by Nirmala Carvalho | INDIAThe resumption of lessons is disputed by parents who do not want to endanger their children's lives. After the revocation of the special status of semi-autonomy, the Indian state is militarized. Internet and transport suspended: shops closed and commercial production blocked.
The nuns belong to the Congregation of the Pious disciples of the Divine Master. The Prarthanalaya Chapel was decorated with gold-coloured streamers, symbolising the fire of love for Christ. For their superior, the two sisters “built their house on the Rock".
Heightened border tensions between India and Pakistan have followed New Delhi’s decision to cancel the special autonomy of the Muslim majority State. Today, the UN Security Council is meeting to discuss the issue. For Bishop Joseph D’Souza, "The last thing the region needs is another war."
Emphasis on government inefficiencies. "It seems that the authorities just want to identify the flaws in the security system." The bishops reiterate that the main purpose must be the identification of authors, supporters and accomplices.
The Diocese of Miao organised a musical dedicated to school dropouts. On average, two out of three youths go to school in India. Early dropout is widespread for both boys and girls. Forced to leave her studies to look after five siblings, Sonia is one of the dropouts.
The toll of flood victims rose to 184, as well as one million displaced people. Msgr. Derek Fernandes managed to get to Kadra, in Karnataka, where the waters receded. The population has lost everything; the main concern is the spread of epidemics.
The most affected state is Kerala, with 72 victims and 260,000 displaced in over 1,600 camps. The Church at the forefront of assistance operations. The opposition calls for intervention by the central government.
Mgr Allwyn D'Silva, chairman of Prison Ministry India and auxiliary bishop of Mumbai, issued a Message for tomorrow’s Prison Mission day. About 11 million people are in prison around the world, 419,623 in India. Maximilian Kolbe is the patron saint of the prison mission.
Sushma Swaraj, who died on Tuesday at the age of 67, worked hard on the release of Tom Uzhunnalil, the Salesian priest seized in Yemen and held for over a year. She loved Mother Teresa. Card Gracias remembers her. Pope Francis called her "very spiritual".
India has decided to remake the region by splitting it into two areas: Muslim-Hindu Jammu-Kashmir, and Buddhist Ladakh. China’s Foreign Ministry has criticised Delhi's decision for undermining “China’s territorial sovereignty”, a step deemed “unacceptable” by Beijing.
A joint document from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and of the World Council of Churches was published, entitled "Educating for peace in a multi-religious world: a Christian perspective". Card Gracias presented it to the Minister for Youth, Sport and Education of the State of Maharashtra. Educating for peace through a profound self-awareness, an openness to the other, a careful use of the media, an increasingly personal spirituality. The testimony of Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi.
A missionary with PIME for 15 years, he will soon leave for the West African country. His vocation developed as he searched for “something greater” and saw it realised in the mission of two Italian priests in Mumbai, Fr Antonio Grugni and Fr Carlo Torriani. He is moved by love for Africa and the richness of the faith of the Church in India.
Prime Minister Modi: "A gesture in favor of women". In case of separation, Muslims must support their wives financially. They will have custody of their children. Critics accuse the government of prejudices and fear for the religious freedom of minorities.
Christian religious activities spark strong tensions in the northern Indian state. Hindu radicals attacked a Protestant pastor in Kanpur district. Another was banned from performing religious services in Gonda. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, "insecurity, threats, intimidation and arrests mark the life of the Christian community."
.jpg)
