Embryo trafficking, a culture of death masquerading as a life-giving practice

"It is a strong sign of hope when the social doctrine of the Church does not remain as a dead word or an abstract discourse, but rather becomes living thanks to men and women of good will, who give it flesh and concreteness, transforming it into personal and social gestures, concrete, visible and useful".

The president of the Indian bishops appeals to the faithful and pastors. The general elections will take place on seven dates, from 11 April to 19 May. The secretary of the Bishops' Conference asked for voting not to be hold on  Holy Thursday. Card Gracias emphasizes: "India needs leaders who understand that authority is a service".

Pope Francis expresses his closeness to the victims relatives. Indonesian Catholics condemnation joined by Synod of Protestant Churches (PGI), the Archdiocese of Singapore, the Indian Bishops Conference and the Union of Indian Christians (Protestants and laity). Archdiocese of Singapore: "We must teach young people tolerance, mutual respect and appreciation of other faiths in every way".

The archbishop: "Almsgiving helps us to recognize the Lord Jesus in the poor and needy. It is a path that can lead to true conversion ". In Lent, a second collection is scheduled for Sunday Masses: the collected offerings will be used as emergency funds for disasters.

In just over a month, Indonesians will pick a new president, vice president and members of parliament. The election will be crucial for the future of the young democracy. The Archbishop of Jakarta urges Catholics to choose political programmes that respect pluralistic values. The Bishops’ Commission for the Laity warns against not voting or blank ballots.

In his latest pastoral letter, the archbishop warns Catholics against art that offends and divides. An artist’s vocation involves social responsibilities. The letter follows government censorship of a Satanist musical group.

The bishop of Balanga issued a circular that will come into force on Easter Sunday. The goal is to eliminate fixed fees for liturgical services across the country by 2021, 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christian missionaries.

The sacristan lives in a fishing village near the Mahawilachchiya Reservoir. Every day she rings the bell of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church to call the faithful to pray. In May, she carries a small statue of the Our Lady from house to house.

Christian churches and Muslim groups held a joint protest. Protesters carried banners against “the mixing of politics and religion”. They call on parties taking part in the upcoming general election to protect outcastes who converted to Christianity.

According to Mgr Sebastian Shaw, mobile phones are a source of distraction and can lead to dependency. The bishop of Hyderabad agrees. The head of a Karachi charismatic group says that phone fasting is too much. “There are many other forms of distraction in churches, like children running around and families chatting with each other."

Voting will take place in seven phases in April and May. Vote counting will start on 23 May. The Hindu nationalist BJP is seeking a second term. Left-of-centre Congress is trying to avoid another big defeat. Minority representatives meet BJP minister.

The Nirmala Matha Convent Matric Higher Secondary School in Kuniyamuthur, near Coimbatore, is run by the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In order not to crowd the building during the exam days, the principal had scheduled the enrollment of kindergarten children on different days.

The Jesuit superior presents four "universal apostolic preferences" for the next ten years. For Archbishop Machado, the Holy Father suggests concrete ways of spirituality.

Card Patrick D'Rozario calls on the faithful to transform their life for Christ through fasting and prayer, replacing selfishness “with love, sharing and caring for others."