Few parishes in Delhi or in India are visualized to look after the spiritual needs of the faithful, be they Indians and foreigners, who would be coming from institutes such as Indian Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru University and All India Institute of Medical Sciences besides others from the nearby Embassies.

The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman celebrated the Day of Mass Media apostolate by stressing the proper and safe use of social media.
“The media is often used to pro-mote personal agenda or create public opinions that are advantageous to those in power or for the benefit of business houses,” said vicar general Father Jose Remedious Fernandes, the main celebrant of the October 9 Mass at Lar De Estudantes, Altinho, Panaji, the state capital.

Indian Christian leaders joined a protest by the microscopic Anglo-Indian community in the national capital New Delhi demanding the reinstatement of the minority’s representation in parliament and legislative assemblies.
The protesters wanted the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke a 2020 constitutional amendment it carried out, which ended the special provision.

Father Joe D’Souza walked bet-ween the pews, petting a Labrador, speaking gently to a Spaniel, stroking a Pomeranian.
Squeals and barks rent the Sunday morning calm of Church of Our Lady of Health in Cavel, Mumbai, on Oct. 9. Children from neighborhood too were delighted, as they watched proud pet-parents bringing their pets for blessings.

Catholic bishops in Asia began a two-week general conference in Bangkok on Oct 12 marking the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences’ 50th anniversary, with leaders calling for renewed evangelization in the multi-religious region.
“As the third millennium marches along, history beckons and the Spirit moves: together we say: Onward Asian Church! This is the moment for Asia,” Cardinal Charles Bo of Myanmar, the FABC president said during his opening address to some 275 Church leaders from 29 nations. Along with Cardinal Bo, Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, the head of the general conference’s Organizing Committee and Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Bangkok, the host of the meeting also stressed the role of the Church’s evangelization in the region, where Christians are a tiny minority.
Cardinal Bo told the gathering that their jubilee “is an occasion for proclai-ming that The Saviour of the world was born in Asia … Yes. We accept that challenge today. Christ, born in Asia, needs to be proclaimed to the vast multitude in this biggest continent.”
“As the dream of Christ returning to Asia, the Asian Church is called upon to exhibit an evangelical enthusiasm for justice and peace. The future calls for a pilgrimage of confidence,” he said.
“History beckons; the Spirit moves us; let us proclaim the missionary call to the Asian Church, let us make this a century of Jesus’ Good News to the whole of Asia,” said the Church leader from Myanmar.
In a message to the general conference, Pope Francis stressed the cultural diversity of the Churches in Asia and ask-ed them to meet regularly.
“It is important for the Regional Conferences to meet with some consistency, as in doing so the Church is formed, is strengthened along the way, and the fundamental question is: What is the Spirit saying to the Churches in Asia?

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) must restructure itself to make the Church “relevant and responsive” to the people of Asia, a top-ranking cardinal said.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, a member of Pope Francis’ kitchen cabinet, stressed there was a great need to restructure the Asian bishops’ federation and model it on CELAM, the Federation of Latin American Episcopal Conferences — the FABC’s Latin American counterpart.
The cardinal was speaking at the opening of FABC golden jubilee programs in Bangkok on Oct. 12, where he said suggestions for the restructuring of the FABC have the approval of top Vatican officials, including Pope Francis.
By the end of the two-week meeting on Oct. 30, along with its final document, “plans for a restructured FABC will also have been finalized, or at least a direction for them set,” Cardinal Gracias said.
“I cannot stress how vital our role at this general conference is. We are undertaking to become and remain a prophetic, relevant, and responsive Asian Church at the service of the people of Asia,” he said.

Miao diocese in Arunachal Pradesh has ordained its first priest of indigenous origin.
Salesian Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao on October 11 ordained Father Vincent Rangwang, belonging to the Ollo tribe, at his home parish at Lazu in Tirap district
Auxiliary Bishop Dennis of Miao was present along with a large gathering of priests, wo-men religious, friends and relatives from across east Arunachal Pradesh.
Congratulating Father Rangwang on becoming the first tribal priest of Miao diocese, Bishop Palliparambil said, “This indeed is a proud mo-ment for the Ollo community and for everyone in the dio-cese. However, Father Vincent now belongs not just to the Ollo community but to the whole world.”
Father Rangwang has been ordained for the Congregation of Missionaries of Compassion (MOC), based in Aliabad, Hyderabad.
“Even though you have your strong tribal roots, now the whole world is your family. May you sanctify yourself daily to lead all the people to God,” the bishop told the new priest.

An international consultation began on October 10 in Thailand’s Chiang Mai city to seek a Christian response to health and healing ministry in Asia. Around 60 people, including medical professionals, pastoral care providers, and leaders of Churches, ecumenical councils, and health-related organizations as well as institutions from across Asia, are attending the October 10-12 consultation organized by the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA).
The consultation on the campus of Payap University in Chiang Mai is addressing the theme “Faith, Health and Healing: Christian Response in Contemporary Asia.” At the end, it is expected to formulate and adopt an ecumenical declaration on health, healing, and the right to life.

Daya Bai, a renowned social activist, launched an indefinite satyagraha to demand justice for the victims of endo-sulfan pesticide on October 2, the International Day of Non Violence and the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
The use of endosulfan pesticide has killed hundreds of people and maimed and deva-stated the lives of thousands living in and around cashew nut plantations in the Kasargod district of the southern Indian state of Kerala.
Daya Bhai, who is in her 80s, sat on hunger strike in front of the Kerala state secretariat in the Kerala capital of Thiruvananthapuram. Around five of her supporters have also joined the protest.
They have demanded the federal government to consider building an All India Institute of Medical Science in Kasargod to provide medical treatment to the victims, for scientific research to assess the physical and mental deficiencies of the victims.

The Indian Christian Women’s Movement (ICWM), an ecumenical forum, has resolved to admit trans persons and LGBT+ persons as members and engage with social and Church issues with “the lens of feminism, liberation and gospel values.” The resolution emerged at the third ICWM convention held September 29-October 2 at the United Theological College in Bengaluru, southern India.
“After braving two years of pandemic, as caregivers, voices against injustice, supporting victims or survivors of violence, abuse and va-rious atrocities it was energizing to meet again,” says a statement issued after the convention.
The convention addressed the theme, “Who will Roll the Stone Away,” alluding to the various “stones” that bar the path of women towards full equality in all areas of their lives. Aruna Roy, president of the National Federation of Indian Women and founder of Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, pointed to the various ways where women could work to remove the “stones” in different areas of their lives.