In a story that has sadly gone viral in India in recent days, a villager exhumed his sister’s remains to “prove” her death to officials who were preventing him from withdrawing money from her account. The community where he now lives wants him to perform a ritual bath and a series of other public acts to atone for the desecration. Otherwise, he will be banished.
Military service reflects the divisions within society and serves as a political battleground. Women make up over 21% of combat troops, but religious leaders fear that gender integration could drive observant Jews away from combat units. “Intermediate” solutions are being considered to avoid promiscuity. The unresolved issue of the Haredim and Naftali Bennett’s “repositioning”.
From political divisions with Washington, which has announced troop withdrawals, to the limitations demonstrated by air and naval forces during the Middle East crisis: senior European military officers insist on the need to prepare for a possible Russian attack on a NATO country by 2030. And with the increasingly real threat of drones, military cooperation with Ukraine is being strengthened.
Over 200 delegates, including bishops, priests and laypeople from all the Latin Rite dioceses in India, have gathered in Bangalore for the event entitled ‘Synodal Pilgrims of Hope’. The proceedings focused on four of the priorities outlined in the CCBI’s pastoral programme: accompanying young people and children, poverty and integral ecology, inclusion, interreligious dialogue and peace-building.
On the day promoted by UNESCO, the Pope remembers reporters who have fallen victim to war. In May, he calls for the recitation of the Rosary for unity within the Church and peace in the world.
New data released by Thailand shows that in some tributaries, arsenic concentrations caused by active mining operations exceed the limits set by guidelines. Civil society initiatives are calling for greater cooperation among the countries in the basin, as well as more concrete measures to halt the pollution.
