Heads of various religions in Bengaluru have commemorated the 800th anniversary of an encounter between Saint Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Malik al-Kâmil of Egypt.

Although all religions aim at the same holy and spiritual aspects to lead a good life, unfortunately people do not follow even 10 percent of their tenets and teachings,” regretted Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore at the interreligious meet held on July 27 St Joseph’s Boys’ High School Auditorium, Bengaluru.

The archbishop joined Franciscans, the followers of Saint Francis of Assisi who work in the archdiocese to observe the anniversary.

Saint Francis was one of the greatest champions and advocates of harmony and it took tremendous courage for him to go to the sultan in the days of crusade. Sultan al-Kamil was also a good man. Francis’ resemblance of the poor and his approach towards all creatures attracted “the Sultan,” the archbishop said in his presidential address.

Representatives of other religions were Swami TattwarupanandaAdhyaksha of Ramakrishna Order, Mahamunivandaru Sritha Mahagatha, Giani Kewal Singh, M T Matheen, Shreya Vakil and J Bhavani.

Archbishop Machado spoke on Islam to highlight the relation Francis had with the sultan. The prelate said he likes the five pillars of Islam –Faith (Shahadah), Prayer–five times each day (Salat), Charity or alms-giving (Zakat); Fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm) and Pilgri-mage to Mecca (Hajj).

Archbishop encouraged all to visit pilgrim centers to increase one’s faith in God. He urged those present to become ambassadors of peace and harmony. “Ultimately, whatever be one’s religion, we all believe in one God,” he said and added, “Let make in India be translated into take from India – Peace and Harmony.”

The Supreme Court of India on July 23 granted bail to yet another of seven people, who have been languishing in jail for more than ten years in connection with the murder of a Hindu religious leader in Odisha, eastern India. India’s Supreme Court has ordered the granting of bail to the second of seven Christians convicted over the murder of a Hindu swami 11 years ago. Bijaya Sanaseth is the second of the seven to get bail from the country’s apex court in Lakshmanananda Saraswati case.

The Supreme Court read: “Considering the fact that the accused-appellant (Bijay Kumar Sanaseth s/o salei Sanaseth) had undergone ten years of his sentence and taking an over-view of the matter, we are of the opinion that the above mentioned accused appellant should be released on bail on such conditions as may be imposed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Phulbani in ST No16/18of 2013-2009.

A Christian organisation in the northeast, has questioned the motive behind the creation of a ‘Christian missionary cell’ at a time when the Centre is pushing an education policy to “homogenise Indian society.”

The BJP in Mizoram had, a few days ago, formed the cell to collect data on the community and connect with Mizos beyond the State. The church leaders felt that little respect was being shown to the autonomy of individual States.

“Those who work for the dominant party are formed into a Christian Missionary Cell, whose mission will be to collect data about Christian activities and pass it on to their opponents who wish to undermine the unity of the Christian service in the northeast,” the Assam Christian Forum said in a statement issued by its spokesperson Allen Brooks.

More than US$1.5 million is being provided by Pakistan’s Sindh provincial government for the renovation of iconic St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The foundation stone of the cathedral in Karachi, the province’s capital, was laid in 1845 and the building is known for the richness of its stone, glass and timber craftsmanship.

The cathedral’s rector, Father Mario Rodrigues, notes that it can accommodate 1,500 people for prayer services and he is proud of its Gothic revival architecture.

Father Rodrigues, heading a July 27 church delegation, talked to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah about the contribution of local Christians to the development of Karachi.

Shah responded that provi-ncial administration heritage experts would be involved in the cathedral’s restoration “to its original glory.”

The funding is to be provided for the work to be done over three years, starting with the interior.

Chief Minister Shah, an alumni of the St Patrick’s high school in Karachi, hailed the Catholic Church’s good works within the province, especially in providing educational and health services.

Kandhamal, the land of martyrs, continues to inspire pilgrims, religious, faithful, theologians, young and old.

“My faith is strengthened and enriched after spending four meaningful days with the victims of Kandhamal,” said Divine Word Hanson D’Souza from Mangalore, who studies theology at Kristo Jyoti Mahavidyaloyo, Sambalpur, Odisha.

The seminarian told Matters India that he was proud to be with those who have suffered for the sake of Christ.

Dominic Nayak from Kandhamal’s Tiangia, who survived the 2008 anti-Christian persecution, said the survivors “are grateful to many people who come to us to share solidarity with us.”

Tiangia saw the highest number of deaths in the Kandhamal religious persecution.

“We are encouraged and empowered when people come and share with our pain and agony,” Nayak told Matters India. A team of 15 theology students lived with the survivors during July 18-21. They split into groups of three and lived in the most affected villages — Nandagiri, Pirigoda, Mondakia and Gudriguda, besides Tiangia.

“Our students were moved seeing the strong and firm faith in Christ among the Kandhamal people despite persecution, threat and killing,” said Father Florence Ranasingh, principal of Khristo Jyoti Mahavidyaloyo who led the pilgrimage tour.

Catholics in Mangalore have celebrated the conclusion of a diocesan inquiry into the cause of canonization of Father Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas, the southern Indian diocese’s first Servant of God.

On July 17, a solemn ceremony was held at the Church of St Sebastian, the clergyman’s final resting place. The event represents a milestone in the history of the local Church, which hopes to have its first saint soon.

Pope Francis has appointed Father Vijaya Kumar Rayarala as the second bishop of Srikakulam diocese in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

The bishop-elect is currently the regional superior of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions or PIME.

The diocese of Srikakulam was lying vacant after the resignation of Bishop Addagatla Innayya Chinna on December 12, 2018.

Catholic Bisho-ps’ Conference of India (CBCI) has appointed Father Roque Noronha as the new national coordinator of Port Chaplains in India.

Born on November 2, 1965, in Margao, Goa, Fr. Noronha was ordai-ned a priest on May 7, 1994, for the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier (SFX) or the Pilar Society. He holds a Masters degree in Social Work and another one in Business Administration. He is fluent in English, Hindi, Konkani and Assamese.