Card Bo remembers the clergyman who died yesterday. A former executive secretary of the FABC Social Communications Office, he was also a consultant for Radio Veritas Asia. “He loved the poor as is evident in his painstaking work to found and nurture the Andhra Pradesh Social Service Society (APSSS), which ensured sustainable livelihood and economic development for thousands of families.”
Card. Alencherry: Abandon extravagance to help those suffering from the crisis
by Biju Veticad | INDIAThe Sindhudurg Diocesan Development Society (SDDS) has been working with marginalized sectors of society, particularly young people and children, for more than a decade in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.
Father and son had been arrested for violating anti-Covid-19 regulations. Victims’ family: Taken to hospital after three days of beatings and torture. Tamil Nadu authorities suspend four officers. Suspicions of a community feud. Card. Gracias: Unacceptable violence. Social ethics and the judicial system under scrutiny.
So far, the country has reported more than 490,000 coronavirus cases. After restrictions were lifted on 31 May, the number rose significantly. In southern India, returning Indian expats are the cause of upsurge. Too many people resumed regular activities without upholding health and safety regulations. Gatherings in Catholic churches are also a problem.
For Archbishop William D’souza, the tragedy compounds “burdens, problems, difficulties and sufferings” people have had to face in recent months because of the pandemic.
In the United States, Republicans and Democrats, pass legislation targeting individuals and businesses that threaten Hong Kong's autonomy. In India, pictures of Xi Jinping are burnt and Made-in-China products boycotted. In Australia, some politicians are suspected of being bankrolled by the Chinese Communist Party. Xi Jinping's "dream" stresses Chinese nationalism, but generates anti-Chinese nationalism.
A mob damaged the building still under construction and destroyed a cross. Police cordoned off the area and arrested the two Christian teachers. Sajan K George: "False accusations, intimidation of Christians for political reasons".
Fr Pascal Sinor has helped 250 families in his parish and about a thousand more in 13 tribal villages. Migrants, slum dwellers, day labourers and seniors are the main beneficiaries. Aid includes clothing and roofing material. The clergyman has been helping locals for 25 years.
About 25 million migrant workers have left the cities for their rural villages, where all cannot find work. The pandemic could create 354 million new poor people. The Church should organise people so that they can participate in decision-making processes.
The couple donated 50 beds, blankets, sheets as well as oxygen cylinders to a quarantine centre. In Palghar district, 90 people died of the coronaviruses and 1,500 were infected. During the lockdown, Eric Lobo and Merlin Tuscano helped migrants living in the area to go home to their families.
Emigration has led to a shortage of health workers in India. At least 700 thousand Indian nurses work abroad. Long hours without rest breaks and lack of security. In Maharashtra and Delhi, staff treat Covid-19 patients without protective masks. In recent months, 30 doctors and six nurses have died from coronavirus.
Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar: Chandrakant Pradhan died for the homeland. The family is devastated but also proud of his sacrifice. Another soldier from Orissa died in the clashes.
The slum is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire was shot in its alleyways. It has reported less than 2,100 cases. Mumbai as a whole has had more than 60,000 cases. Infections have been contained by systematic testing and alley-level quarantine.
The Diocese of Sindhudurg had already provided the authorities with some facilities. The decision was made without consulting the Catholic community. The centre is used for religious and social activities. Archbishop Barreto notes that the Church has already helped a thousand families affected by the pandemic. Without the Navsarni Centre, the diocese could close.
The bare hand battle occurred in the Galwan Valley, on the border between Indian Ladakh and Chinese Aksai Chin. Indian media: the commander of Chinese troops in the area is among the dead. The border crisis started in early May. Over the past 45 years the two armies have often clashed, but without casualties.
