Celebrated quizmaster, author, and parliamentarian Derek O’Brien was conferred the Pride of the Community Honour 2025 award at a special ceremony held at the Anglo-Indian Bishop’s School, Pune. More than 600 members of the Anglo-Indian community attended the October 17 function. The award honours exemplary individuals of Anglo-Indian heritage who have made significant contributions to Indian society. O’Brien, currently serving as a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and parliamentary leader of the All India Trinamool Congress, was recognized for his decades-long impact in public life, education, and media. The award places him in distinguished company, with past recipients including Olympic hockey legend Leslie Claudius and author Ruskin Bond, of Anglo-Indian excellence in sport and literature.
Daily Archives: October 31, 2025
Bishop Lumen Monteiro Completes 45 Years of Service as Priest and Missionary in Northeast India
The Diocese of Agartala and the Church in India celebrate the 45th anniversary of the sacerdotal ordination of Bishop Lumen Monteiro, C.S.C., D.D., who was ordained a priest on October 28, 1980, and has since emerged as one of the most respected pastoral and missionary leaders in Northeast India, serving the Church not only in Tripura but also through major national ecclesial commissions. A priest of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Bishop Monteiro became the first Bishop of Agartala when Pope St. John Paul II erected the diocese on January 11, 1996, and later consecrated him as its shepherd on May 26, 1996. With the episcopal motto “Duc in Altum — Lead Us Onward,” he undertook the formidable task of building the local Church in Tripura from the ground up during a time of social unrest and limited resources.
Kerala Hosts Kreupasanam Rosary Rally With Over 100,000 Faithful Praying for Peace
Tens of thousands of Catholics from across India gathered in Kerala for the Kreupasanam (Seat of Grace) Rosary Rally, one of the country’s largest Marian processions, held with a powerful call for world peace and unity within families. The rally began at the Kreupasanam Jubilee Mission Church in Kalavoor and concluded at St Andrew’s Basilica in Arthunkal, drawing an estimated 100,000 pilgrims. It was inaugurated at Mararikulam Beach by Bishop James Raphael Anaparambil of the Diocese of Alappuzha, who later presided over the Holy Mass. Pilgrims walked in prayerful procession with the Rosary, united in devotion to Our Lady and interceding for harmony, peace and healing in families and the world.
Bishop of Kottar Joins Muslim Funeral, Inspiring Religious Harmony
Posts celebrating interfaith harmony have flooded social media in Kanyakumari district since Sunday, 26 October, after images circulated of Bishop Nazarene Soosai of Kottar Diocese walking alongside members of the Muslim community in the funeral procession of A.S. Hameed, former president of the Inayam Jama’ath. The Bishop joined the procession and walked with his Muslim brothers for about half a kilometre.
A.S. Hameed passed away early on 26 October, and his burial took place that evening. As preparations were underway, Bishop Soosai, accompanied by his assistants, arrived at the residence, where he stood through the final rites conducted at the house. He then joined the funeral procession to the mosque, stood respectfully during the prayers, and remained at the burial site until the ceremony concluded.
Aseem, a resident of Colachel, who shared the event on his Facebook page, wrote: “I spoke to the Bishop while walking in the funeral procession. The Bishop mentioned that their friendship spanned over thirty years, starting when he was the parish priest of Inayam and A.S. Hameed was the president of the Inayam Jama’ath. He added that A.S. Hameed was a close friend who would invite him to his children’s weddings and host him with feasts on festive days.”
In another post, Aseem noted that the Bishop had postponed his evening church programmes to attend the funeral and spend several hours paying tribute to his late friend, describing his gesture as “praiseworthy.” This act of fraternity and mutual respect between the Bishop and his long-time Muslim friend has been widely lauded online, with many praising it as a moving example of religious harmony in the region.
‘Hijab’ row in Indian Catholic School settled ‘amicably’ in court
The top court in southern Indian Kerala state has closed a case involving a Catholic school accused of barring a Muslim student from wearing a hijab, after the student’s counsel informed the court that she no longer wished to continue her studies there. Justice V. G. Arun of the Kerala High Court accepted the submission from the girl’s lawyer that she “was not willing to pursue the case as she had made up her mind to leave the school.” School principal Sister Helena Alby of St. Rita’s Public School in Palluruthy, Ernakulam district, welcomed the ruling, saying, “Our stand is vindicated. We were praying for justice.”
The school maintains a strict uniform policy that bars religious attire, and officials said the student’s parents had agreed to the rule at the time of admission in June, Sr Helena Alby said. She said the parents also give a written undertaking to comply with the school’s codes, including its uniform policy. However, the student reportedly came to school three times in early October wearing a hijab despite repeated reminders to follow the dress code. The issue escalated after local groups, mostly Muslims, entered the campus on Oct. 10, accusing the school of discrimination.
Two days later, the state’s Left Democratic Front government directed the school to permit the student to wear the hijab, a move the school said exceeded the government’s authority since the school is affiliated with the federally administered Central Board of Secondary Education. The court did not examine the merits of the case after the student’s withdrawal, effectively closing the dispute. Political observers said the hijab row may have been politically motivated ahead of next year’s state assembly elections.
Adoration nun leaps barefoot into historic win before retirement
Clad in her religious habit and barefoot on the track, Sister Sabina Joseph stunned spectators at the Kerala State Masters Athletics Meet by sprinting past hurdles and competitors. The first-place finish of the member of the Sisters of the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in the 55-plus category on October 22 marked a triumphant return to the sport—decades after her last race.
“I wanted to compete one last time before retiring,” said the 56-year-old native of Ennapara village in Kerala’s Kasaragod district, who will step down next March from her role as a physical education teacher in a Upper Primary School at Dwarka in Wayanad district. “This race was my farewell to the track.” Kerala’s Education Minister V Sivankutty commended Sister Sabina Joseph’s achievement, calling it a symbol of willpower. He said that Sister Sabina’s win shows that age and circumstances are no barriers to achieving goals. He described her dedication as an inspiration to both her students and the public. A former national-level hurdler in her teens, Sister Sabina first made headlines while in ninth grade, later representing her university in intercollegiate meets. Though she shifted focus to teaching after moving to Wayanad in 1993, her athletic spirit never waned.The crowd erupted in cheers as she crossed the finish line. Her performance reminded many of the quiet power of perseverance.
New bishop appointed for Cochin
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Father Antony Kattiparambil as the new bishop of Cochin in Kerala. The announcement was made on October 25. Fifty-five-year-old Father Kattiparambil is currently serving as the judicial vicar of the diocese of Cochin. The bishop-elect was born on October 14, 1970, in Mundamveli, as the youngest of seven children of the late Jacob and the late Treesa.
He completed his schooling at St. Louis School, Mundamveli, and his pre-degree course at Aquinas College, Edacochin. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Kerala University and a Bachelor of Philosophy from St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye. The bishop-elect began his priestly formation in 1986 at Mount Carmel Petit Seminary, Fort Cochin, and completed his minor seminary studies in 1990. He pursued philosophical studies at St. Joseph Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye (1990–1993), and later moved to Rome for theological formation at the Collegio Urbano (1993–1998). He completed his theological studies at the Università Urbaniana, Rome (1993–1996), and was ordained a priest on August 15, 1998 by Bishop Joseph Kureethara. He also earned a Licentiate in Biblical Theology from the Università Urbaniana (1996–1998) and a Licentiate in Canon Law from the same university (2013–2016). The Diocese of Cochin has 182,324 Catholics, 134 diocesan priests, 116 religious priests, 545 religious sisters, and 78 parishes.
World Jewish Congress Welcomes Pope Leo XIV’s Strong Condemnation of Antisemitism
The World Jewish Congress has welcomed the remarks of Pope Leo XIV, who on 29 October unequivocally condemned antisemitism during his General Audience at the Vatican. Addressing thousands of faithful, the Pope said: “All my predecessors have condemned anti-Semitism with clear words,” adding, “I too confirm that the Church does not tolerate anti-Semitism and fights against it, on the basis of the Gospel itself.”
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder praised the Pope’s message, calling it “an extraordinarily positive and deeply meaningful gesture.” “At a time when Jews are facing the greatest persecution since the Second World War, the Pope’s message carries profound fraternal meaning,” Lauder said. “Gestures like this inspire us to strengthen the bonds between Jews and Catholics, and to work together for a world of greater coexistence among religions, in the pursuit of peace.”
The Pope’s statement comes as the Catholic Church marks the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the landmark declaration of the Second Vatican Council that transformed Jewish-Catholic relations and established a foundation of mutual respect and dialogue.
Newman named co-patron of Catholic education alongside St Thomas Aquinas
The Vatican has announced that Englishman Saint Cardinal John Henry Newman will join the great medieval theologian St Thomas Aquinas as an official co-patron of the Church’s educational mission.
The move coincides with the forthcoming proclamation that Newman will become the 38th Doctor of the Church, to be formally declared at the closing Mass of the Jubilee of the World of Education on 1 November.
The cardinal prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education revealed at a press conference that “the Pope will name St John Henry Newman ‘co-patron of the Church’s educational mission, alongside St Thomas Aquinas’.”
A papal document published on 28 October to mark the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s declaration Gravissimum Educationis on Christian education.
The text honours a “spiritual and pedagogical heritage” that remains relevant in today’s world and warns that “history challenges us with a new urgency … rapid and profound changes expose children, adolescents, and young people to unprecedented vulnerabilities.” The Pope adds that “it is not enough to preserve: we must relaunch” and calls on educators to “recompose knowledge and meaning, competence and responsibility, faith and life.”
The Jubilee itself runs from 27 October to 1 November and will gather around 20,000 pilgrims, culminating on the solemnity of All Saints when Newman is to be declared Doctor of the Church.
The Vatican estimates that Catholic schools and universities across 171 countries serve almost 72 million students. According to figures shared at the press conference, there are 230,000 Catholic universities and schools worldwide. The choice of Newman highlights his enduring influence on the philosophy of education, curricular development, and the integration of faith and reason.
Since St Thomas Aquinas was declared patron of all Catholic educational establishments by Pope Leo XIII in 1880, Newman’s appointment marks the first time in almost a century and a half that a new patron has been named.
5.4 billion people at risk of losing freedom of religion, says new report
Roughly 5.4 billion people around the world could face persecution and discrimination for their beliefs, according to a new report from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). The report, “Religious Freedom in the World,” which was presented on 21 October in the UK Houses of Parliament, also draws attention to how anti-Christian incidents are on the rise not just in the Global South but also across Europe and North America.
As a result of the scale of the problem, the charity has called for fresh action by the UK Government and by the United Nations to uphold Article 18 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which asserts the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The report highlights grave violations of religious freedom in 62 countries: with 24 classified as “persecution” (the worst category) and 36 as “discrimination” (the second most serious category).
Chairing the meeting for the launch, Brendan O’Hara MP said: “We cannot allow the issue of freedom of religion or belief to be ghettoised, or hived off, or [to become] something which is deemed too complicated or uniquely challenging. “Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental, inalienable human right, and it has to be treated and seen as such.”
The report focuses on how religious persecution increasingly fuels forced migration and displacement. “In Nigeria, attacks by radicalised Fulani militants have ravaged churches, villages and clergy, triggering mass displacement,” O’Hara said. “Religious persecution is a major and often overlooked driver of today’s global displacement crisis.”
Speaking at the event, Bishop John Bakeni of the Diocese of Maiduguri, in north-eastern Nigeria, gave a powerful testimony of his personal experience of religious violence in Nigeria: “Since 2009, the Boko Haram Islamist militant group in allegiance with Daesh extremists in Iraq and Syria – now [called] ISWAP – has inflicted mass terror on civilians, killing over 40,000 Nigerians, kidnapping thousands and displacing over 2 million people from their ancestral homes,” the bishop said. “Whilst the conflict is not solely about religion, it is equally simplistic not to see the religious dimension as a significantly exacerbating factor, especially as churches, priests and other potent symbols of Christianity are attacked, seemingly with impunity.”
John Pontifex, head of press and public affairs at ACN, spoke of his own experience: “I was in the North Central middle belt of Nigeria only in the spring and I was privileged enough to see and meet so many individuals and families and communities and Church leaders who are wrestling, grappling with this terrible situation of persecution. “I saw the impact of the threat [that] religious extremism has had on individuals and families, who have been driven from their homes, from their farmlands and from their home communities.”
The report also states that there’s been a significant rise in attacks against Christian sites and believers in the West, with France having recorded approximately 1,000 anti-Christian incidents in 2023, while Greece reported over 600 cases of church vandalism. The report argues that authoritarianism is the greatest threat to religious freedom, with regimes systematically enforcing “legal and bureaucratic mechanisms to suppress religious life”.
Speaking to the Catholic Herald, Sir Edward Leigh MP, the so-called Father of the House in the Commons, as its most senior member, praised ACN’s work and called for parliamentary action.
“I support Aid to the Church in Need and everything they do and their marvellous work on behalf of persecuted Christians worldwide – this is something that we should promote in Parliament to ensure that government fully enforces Article 18 of the Declaration of Human Rights,” Leigh said. “[This] will be a powerful weapon to protect persecuted minorities around the world.”