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Vietnamese Redemptorist forbidden to go abroad

A Redemptorist priest who works to console old soldiers in southern Vietnam has been ba-nned from flying to the United States for social safety. On Oct. 24, Redemptorist Father Joseph Truong Hoang Vu was stopped by public security officers at Tan Son Nhat Inter-national Airport in Ho Chi Minh City while he was due to […]

Japan premier orders probe into Unification Church

Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered a government probe into the Unifi-cation Church on October 17, after the assa-ssination of former premier Shinzo Abe re-newed scrutiny of the sect. The church has been in the spotlight because the man accused of killing Abe was reportedly motivated by resentment against the group, which has been accused […]

Bishops caution against rising occult practices

Catholic bishops in Kerala have cautioned people against rising occult practices in the wake of reported cases of human sacrifices in the southern Indian state. “No civilized society can image such ghastly murders. We are shocked,” Father Jacob G Palakkappilly, the spokesperson of Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC), told Matters India on October 13, two […]

Religious polarization in India seeping into US diaspora

In Edison, New Jersey, a bulldozer, which has become a symbol of oppression of India’s Muslim minority, rolled down the street during a parade mark-ing that country’s Independence Day. At an event in Anaheim, California, a shouting match eru-pted between people celebrating the holiday and those who show-ed up to protest violence against Muslims in […]

Northeast India’s indigenous congregation completes 80 years

The Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians (MS-MHC), the first indigenous con-gregation of northeastern India, has marked its 80th foundation anniversary. “In the glorious mission history of Northeast India, one cannot deny the impact of the multifaceted missionary enter-prises launched by the MSMHC, be it in the local church or various aspects of life […]

Odisha Christians’ Diwali contribution builds up solidarity, brotherhood

Christians in Odisha say they contribute generously to the celebration of festival of their Hindu brethren as a gesture to foster solidarity and brotherhood. “I gladly gave 2,000 rupees, the amount decided by the Hindu Diwali committee for a Christian family,” said Lazarus Bage, a Catholic catechist, hailing from Sundargargh, now settled in Cuttack for […]

Indian Hindu outfit targets Dalits adopting Christianity

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) or World Hindu Council has urged the Indian government to withdraw the benefits of its affirmative action program to Hindus who convert to Christianity. Vijay Shankar Tiwari, the national VHP spokesman while addressing a press conference in Jaipur city in northwestern Rajasthan state on Oct. 19, alleged those converting to Christianity […]

The Push for Women’s Rights in Iran Is a Push for Religious Freedom Too

Growing up in a home with a Muslim father and a Christian mother, Iranian American Shirin Taber had a special appreciation for being able to choose what she believed. When she told her dad that she wished everyone back in Iran could have the same freedom, he—knowing the harsh reality of the regime—said it would […]