Mar Aprem Metropolitan, who had led the Assyrian Church of the East in India for five decades, died on July 7 following a brief hospitalization for age-related ailments in Thrissur, Kerala. He was 85. The metropolitan was born as George Mookken on June 13, 1940, in Thrissur, which was then in the Kingdom of Cochin under British India. Educated in India, England, and America, Mar Aprem specialized in Church History. He obtained master’s degrees in Church History from both the United Theological College, Bangalore, and the Union Theological Seminary, New York. He studied theology at Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur. He was ordained a deacon on June 25, 1961, and a priest on June 13, 1965. He was consecrated bishop on September 21, 1968, by Mar Thoma Darmo, Catholicos Patriarch of the Ancient Church of the East. He took the name Mar Aprem Mooken, and was promoted as a Metropolitan of the Ancient Church of the East eight days later in Baghdad. In 1999, he rejoined the Assyrian Church of the East and was instrumental in healing the rift that had developed in the church over the question of hereditary appointments since the 1960s. He served as the president of the Church History Association of India during 1976-1982. Mar Aprem was a prominent personality in Thrissur. He promoted religious harmony. His speech, filled with fun and wisdom, had won several fans across Kerala. He served as the head of the Chaldean Syrian Church in India for about five decades. He wrote some 65 books, prominent among them is his Syriac translation of Daiva Dashakam (Ten Verses To God: The Universal Prayer).
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‘Refusal to compromise’ blamed for ongoing unrest in India’s Manipur
A refusal to compromise by Hindu-majority Meitei and pre-dominantly Christian tribal groups have dampened hopes of esta-blishing a lasting peace in India’s sectarian conflict-torn Manipur state, Christian leaders say. The latest round of talks between Federal Home Ministry officials and a 19-member delegation, mostly from Meitei-run civil society organizations, failed to produce a roadmap for peace in the north-eastern state. The talks were held in the national capital, Delhi, on June 30.
Earlier on June 9, a five-member delegation representing Kuki-Zo tribal groups held a meeting with Home Ministry officials. These and other peace talks involving federal government officials and the warring Manipur groups followed a two-year-old deadly Meitei-tribal conflict that claimed more than 260 lives and displaced about 60,000 people, mostly tribal Christians. During the meetings, the Meiteis insisted on maintaining the “territorial integrity of the state of Manipur” contrary to the stand of the tribals who want to “divide the state with a separate administration” for them. Christian leaders say both the Meitei and tribals tend to “stick to their guns,” which makes peace elusive. “As long as both sides continue to stick to their demands, we do not know how long it will take to restore peace,” one Church leader told, expressing frustration over the stalemate.
Seminarians cultivate paddy, vegetables to learn contextual theology
A major seminary in the western Indian state of Goa has made its 21 theology students work in farms so that they learn better what is taught in classes. The students of the second, third- and fourth-year theology classes of the Pilar Theological Institute spent the afternoons of July 5 and 6 cultivating paddy and vegetables on a two-acre land owned by the Society of Pilar. “It helps the seminarians gain a deeper understanding of what they learn in class; to have a more contextualised approach to theology,” explained Father John Bennet, director of studies of the seminary, also known as the All India Mission Seminary of the Society of Pilar.
“This exposure can be particularly valuable for the future clergy who may be called to serve where agriculture is a central part of life,” he told Matters India July 7. This way of doing theology, Father Bennet added, emphasizes the importance of the specific cultural, social, and historical context in which Christian faith is understood and lived.
“It acknowledges that theological reflection is not done in a vacuum but is shaped by the unique experiences, perspectives, and challenges of a particular community.”
The students belonged to the dioceses of Dumka and Daltonganj in Jharkhand, Purnia and Patna in Bihar, Krishnagar in West Bengal, besides the Pilar theology students.
Christians hit the streets against persecution in India’s Odisha
Several thousand Christians marched on the streets and blocked highways in the eastern Indian state of Odisha to demand justice and protection from increasing attacks against them by Hindu mobs.
Protest rallies, attended by 1,000 to 5,000 Christians, were held in 20 out of 30 district centres in the state on July 1, according to Aravind Kachhap, an orga-nizer and president of the Rashtriya Christian Morcha or National Christian Front. Some 300 people walked through the state’s capital, Bhubaneswar, and blocked a road, said Jugal Ranjit, a Christian leader, who attended the rally. “It was the first time Christians had rallied in such huge numbers and blocked a road in the capital city,” he said. “Normal life was disrupted in many cities and towns, sending a clear message that Christians will not tolerate any more attacks,” said Father Ajay Singh, a social activist from the Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar archdiocese.
Christian leaders at the rallies demand-ed an end to Hindu groups’ oppression, discrimination, and violence against Christians, who belong to indigenous and Dalit (formerly untouchable) communities.
Tej-Prasarini unveils Jubilate Jesus, Volume 2
After the resounding success of Jubilate Jesus, Volume 1–launched on New Year’s Day 2025 with vivacious Jubilee Anthem–Tej-Prasarini, Don Bosco Communications, officially released Volume 2 in honour of the 2025 Jubilee of Jesus’ birth, on July 3.
The event held in the auditorium of Don Bosco High School, Matunga was graced by chief guest, Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes of Mumbai, the Provincial of the Mumbai Province Fr. Savio Silveira and several other dignitaries.
The album opens with Tej-Pra-sarani anthem, You Are the Light of the World, this new volume encapsu-lates the very identity and mission of Tej-Prasarini– “Tej” meaning light, and “Prasarini” meaning to radiate. Staying true to its name, the produ-ction centre continues to spread the Light of Christ through music and media, inviting people of faith and goodwill to walk in His footsteps.
The dual-volume initiative, released within the same Jubilee year, springs from a deep pastoral desire: to keep Jesus at the heart of every thought, word, action, and relationship throughout this spiritual milestone. “These songs are more than melodies–they are medita-tions,” said Director of Tej-Prasarini Salesian Fr. Joyston Machado. “Each track is crafted to help listeners encounter Jesus in a deeply personal and joyful way.”
Christian institutions dominate social work colleges in India
Rajagiri College of Social Scien-ces (Autonomous), managed by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate congregation in Kerala’s Kochi, has ranked second among 25 best social work institutes in India. The top rank in the list of “India Today Best Colleges 2025” has gone to Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
The list was published on July 11 to help aspiring social workers to choose the right college for a Master of Social Work course. As many as 11 among the 25 colleges are under Christian management.
“These colleges typically invest in experienced faculty, well-equipped classrooms, and partnerships with NGOs and government bodies to offer practical exposure. Factors such as hands-on training, faculty background, internship opportunities, and campus support services are important when identifying the top private MSW colleges in India,” said the introduction to the list.
Planned anti-conversion law in India’s Maharashtra alarms Christians
Christian leaders have expressed concerns over curbs on religious freedom after the government in India’s second-most populous Maharashtra state announced plans to enact a law to tackle alleged conversions. The reactions came after the state’s Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told the state legislature on July 9 about the plan for introducing a stringent anti-conversion law.
“A strict law to prevent religious conversions will be enacted in the state,” Bawankule from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) reportedly told fellow lawmakers. He said the move came following allegations of Christians converting poor Hindus and tribal people in the state.
The minister said he would speak to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on how to bring about an anti-conversion law with stringent provisions, but did not elaborate on a timeline. If the law is enacted, Maharashtra would become the 13th state in India to enforce the anti-conversion law. Most of these states are ruled by the BJP and its allies.
Indian Christians demand action against hate-spewing Hindu lawmaker
About 7,000 Christians marched on the streets of India’s commercial hub Mumbai, demanding the arrest and punishment of a pro-Hindu lawmaker who recently declared huge bounties for attacking and killing pastors and missionaries. The marchers chanted slogans and displayed banners during the July 11 rally at Azad Maidan grounds in Mumbai, the capital of the western Indian state of Maha-rashtra, asking authorities to slap criminal charges against Gopich and Padalkar from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The rally was organized by the ecumenical group, Sakal Christi Samj Maharashtra (All Maharashtra Christian Coali-tion), and joined by members of various Christian organiza-tions, said Cyril Dara, the coalition’s convener.
During the demonstration, Christian leaders condemned Padalkar for disregarding the law and inciting violence agai-nst the Christian community. “Padalkar publicly announced the bounties a fortnight ago, which has outraged and deeply hurt our religious sentiments,” Dara told on July 11.
He said the protesting Christians also demanded the expulsion of the legislator from the party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “This action will help curb future atrocities on the Christian community, like the vandalism of churches and attacks on religious leaders. The community needs protection from the government and action against the culprit,” the coali-tion said in a statement.
BREADS launches state-level “sport for change” initiative to empower youth in Kerala
BREADS Bangalore con-vened a state-level strategic meeting on July 3, 2025 to launch its pioneering “Sport for Change” initiative–an ambi-tious youth empowerment pro-gramme operating across seven locations in five districts of Kerala. Rooted in a dynamic anti-drug campaign, the initiative leverages the unifying and transformative power of sports to steer young people away from substance abuse and anti-social influences, fostering instead a culture of discipline, purpose, and resilience.
BREADS stands for Banga-lore Rural Educational and Development Society. It’s the official development wing of the Salesian Province of Bangalore, working primarily in Karnataka and Kerala to uplift margina-lized communities–especially children, youth, and women. The gathering brought together an inspiring constellation of stakeholders committed to youth development through sport.
BREADS Executive Director, Fr George P. S., remarked, “Sport is not just a game–it’s a gateway to transformation. When young people are given the right environment, they discover their strength, discipline, and dignity.”
Bishop Antonysamy is Appointed as Archbishop of Madurai
The Holy Father Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Antonysamy Savarimuthu, until now Bishop of Palayamkottai and the Chairman of the CCBI Commission for Canon Law as the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Madurai on July 5, 2025. Bishop Antony-samy Savarimuthu was born on 8 December 1960 in Vadakku Vandanam, in the District of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. He was ordained a priest on 26 April 1987, for the Diocese of Pala-yamkottai. On 20 November 2019, he was appointed Bishop of Palayamkottai and ordained bishop on 15 December. Since 2024, he has served as Apostolic Administrator of Madurai