The unusual ‘exchange’ between the prelates of the two episcopal sees is linked to certain accusations (which proved unfounded) that in the summer of 2024 led to the appointment of an apostolic administrator in the Archdiocese of Punjab. The faithful hope that this decision will help to revive the life of the local Church, encouraging everyone to participate.
Regulations dating back to the 1950s in Sri Lanka prevent the importation of high-quality seeds and more resistant and productive varieties available in Southeast Asia. The restrictions were introduced to prevent plant diseases from Latin America. Now they force farmers to use low-yield seeds, with more fertilisers and pesticides.
In the north-western region of Pskov, the governor is sanctifying the “special military operation” with two icons commissioned for a historic cathedral, depicting two local soldiers who died in Ukraine at the feet of great Orthodox patrons. The iconographers justify themselves by saying that by not depicting them as saints, “the dogmatic canons are respected”. Former patriarchate spokesman Chapnin: “They look like images from Stalin's metro”.
The president accuses Hezbollah of trying “to provoke the collapse of Lebanon [. . .] on behalf of Iran." The country’s parliament votes to postpone May elections, extending its term due to “force majeure”. Syria supports Lebanon's efforts to disarm Hezbollah and boosts its presence on the border. The risk of annexation and the disappearance of historic Christian villages is high.
The auxiliary bishop of Bombay weighs in on the ongoing debate in this Indian state over the bill against "forced" conversions that the state government wants to submit to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. “[I]solated incidents [. . .] could be addressed under existing criminal laws.” A source of concern, the bill is contrary to personal freedom since it would allow a relative to file a complaint.
Residents in Yei Twin Gone, a village tract in Bago Region, were targeted in one of the latest attacks by Myanmar’s military junta after soldiers arrested about 160 locals to extract information on local resistance leaders. Fresh massacres were also reported in Rakhine and the Mandalay Region, with six more children killed.
