Sister Jophy Jose, superior of the convent of the Sisters of the Mother of Carmel, went before the High Court with other farmers because animals are destroying their crops. “We could not keep silent,” she said.
After four years of legal wrangles, the High Court acquitted Fr George Mangalapilly. Hindu extremists had accused him of forcing residents of a village to convert via Christmas carols sung by a group of seminarians. Certain of his innocence, the priest is relieved of the verdict.
Oscar Fernandes, who hailed from Karnataka, died yesterday at the age of 80. A leading member of the Indian National Congress, he served as a minister in the Singh government. For Cardinal Gracias, India “lost a true patriot” who ““always upheld Gospel values in public.”
Hindu extremists disrupt another Christian prayer meeting. Christian clergymen are arrested in Azamgarh district. For Sajan K. George (Global Council of Indian Christians), anti-Christian attacks “continue to grow and are reaching alarming proportions” with the divisive anti-conversion laws used as a pretext.
Indians and Australians want to increase military cooperation. Both countries have open disputes with Beijing. Exercises also in the Quad. Indian expert: Dialogue between India, Australia, the US and Japan goes beyond responding to the Chinese threat. China is India's biggest trading partner.
For the court, called to rule on a request for termination of pregnancy in the 31st week, there is no reason to treat an unborn child differently from a born child. For Dr Carvalho, this “is not primarily a religious position, but a human one.”
On the same Sunday, a Pentecostal clergyman was arrested in Madhya Pradesh and another beaten up in a police station in Chhattisgarh. For the Global Council of Indian Christians, a “fundamental human right such as freedom of religion continue to be denied in a secular country like India”.
An outbreak is reported at the start of the monsoon season. Three doctors in the Firozabad district are suspended for negligence. Local authorities plan to send health workers door-to-door and spray anti-larva liquid.
Girls aged 13 and 14 are raped and killed by members of upper castes. Families and the elderly are tied up and beaten. For Archbishop Machado, such violence is “inhumane” and must be “recognised as a serious violation of human rights”. Silence by political parties over the mounting atrocities is “disconcerting”.
His funeral was held this morning. The Indian government deployed troops and blocked the Internet to stop protests. Al-Qaeda includes Kashmir among the territories to be reconquered through global jihad. For top Taliban official Anas Haqqani, the new Afghan government will not intervene in the region. Extremists play the moderate card because they need international support and funding.
The Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod join the Laudato Sì movement. Starting tomorrow, they will undertake an initiative to mark the social encyclical Pope Francis issued six years ago.
In a televised interview, a Taliban leader suggests that trade with India could go through Pakistan. India pulled out its diplomatic personnel from Afghanistan but with 20 years of investments and US$ 900 million in exports at stake, it is holding a wait-and-see position. New Delhi is worried about jihadist infiltrations in Kashmir. New rockets fall in Kabul this morning. Local media say that children were among the victims of yesterday's US raid.
Right-wing extremists are behind the violence. The false accusation of proselytising unleashed the attack. A 25-year-old clergyman and his family were the target. For GCIC president, the mob carried out “deliberate acts of violence even against women”. Scriptures and sacred books were torn up, wounding Christians’ religious feelings.
Despite objections, the Synod decided to go ahead with the introduction of the single mode of celebrating the liturgy, which will see the celebrant turn towards the faithful in the initial rites but then turn towards the altar in the central part. Some exceptions will be allowed in eparchies where there are more opponents, but only until Easter 2022.
Some priests and believers are against a uniform mode of celebrating. Pope refers to the issue in a letter. Fr Paul Thelakat attacks the “dictatorship of uniform thought” and notes that Catholicism - as Francis says - favours “unity in diversity”.
