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Indian priest quits ministry to clean up Church

A Catholic priest in India has quit pastoral ministry saying he wants to clean up his Eastern rite Syro-Malabar Church, which he alleged deviated from the teachings of Christ. Father Ajimon Puthiyapramabil of Thamarassery diocese in southern Kerala state announced his decision on May 13 to pursue what he calls the “prophetic mission” of Christ. “…But from […]

Catholic nuns rehabilitate temple dancers in southern India

Gadyamma, who has been living as a devadasi since childhood, does not want her daughter to follow the oppressive tradition of being a female dancer in Hindu temples. “I became a devadasi when I was 12 under our village tradition, but I want my daughter to study and lead a dignified life,” Gadyamma (who asked […]

Goa High Court upholds right to practice religion of choice

A top court in western India has lifted prohibition imposed on a Christian couple to preach their religion upholding the constitutional right of a citizen to practice and profess one’s religion. The May 19 order of the Goa bench of Bombay High Court came at a time when Christians face increased hostilities from mostly right […]

Hong Kong court rejects Jimmy Lai’s plea for foreign lawyer

A Hong Kong court has rejected a plea from Catholic pro-democracy activist and business tycoon Jimmy Lai challenging a government decision to deny permission for a foreign lawyer for his trial in a slew of criminal cases. Lai, 75, had requested a judicial review last month after Hong Kong’s national security committee had advised the […]

Changing the Japanese narrative of parenthood

In recent years, Japan’s identity as the renowned land of manga art and high tech has taken a backseat to a pressing concern: the country’s declining birth rate. Various reasons have been attributed to this demographic challenge, such as economic concerns, changing societal norms, and the high cost of child-rearing. However, a recent online survey on Twitter […]

Probe against Sri Lankan pastor for hurtful remarks

The Sri Lankan president has ordered a probe against a Protest-ant pastor for allegedly making controversial comments about Buddhists and followers of other religions. President Ranil Wickremesi-nghe while announcing the probe on May 15 said the irresponsible statement by Pastor Jerome Fer-nando, whose followers include famous cricketers, film stars and businessmen, can cause religious strife that […]

Poverty drives maternal mortality in the Philippines

Francisco Sales believes he could have saved the lives of his wife Gloria Operario and their unborn child during childbirth three years ago if he had enough money. Gloria had a risky third pregnancy due to gestational diabetes and high blood pressure and needed special treatment in a good hospital, which the poor couple could […]

Blasphemy bail ruling wins praise in Pakistan

Christian leaders in Pakistan have cheered a court granting bail to a local Christian woman and a Muslim man accused of blasphemy less than a month after their arrest, terming it a new record and a hopeful sign. Usually, it takes years for bail to be granted in such cases, often because judges fear possible […]