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Salaries of nuns, priests in schools taxable: Madras HC

The Madras High Court has held that salaries and grants-in-aid to nuns and priests are liable to attract tax deducted at source. “In our opinion, the provisions of Income-Tax law are dry, plain and simple, a political and a religious in character,” the court said in a recent order. The bench, comprising Justices Vineet Kothari […]

Bishops mourn death of “Christians’ friend” Parrikar

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed “profound sorrow” at the death of Manohar Parrikar, the Chief Minister of Goa and former federal Minister for Defence. Parrikar, 63 died from pancreatic cancer on March 17. “We can truly say that Goa and India have lost a great leader and the Christian community has […]

Church communicators urged to end silence, be bold

Indian Church’s top communicators were urged to boldly present Church’s perspective on issues without running away from uncomfortable realities. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) secretary general Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas and other experts suggested strategies for Church communicators to “become effective” at a March 11-15 national meeting. Some 45 people, mostly regional directors of communication, […]

Religious nationalism, unemployment, top poll issues

Rising unemployment and nationalism on religious lines are the two key issues bothering citizens ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, revealed a survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS and the Azim Premji University. “20% of those surveyed said unemployment was the biggest issue facing India, and 15% said the top government priority should be a remedy to […]

Indian voters must ‘avoid terror of pseudo-nationalism’

Ahead of the general elections in India in April, Church officials have issued pastoral guidelines asking Catholics to reject candidates who espouse certain ideologies and vote for guardians of secularism and democracy. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, joined other regional bishops in issuing a set of guidelines. The latest comes from […]

Odisha’s Marian shrine celebrates silver Jubilee

More than 45,000 people have attended the jubilee of a Marian apparition in Odisha, eastern India. “Where there is Mother Mary there is Jesus and where there is Jesus there is satisfaction and fulfilment. Mother Mary is not only Mother of God but Mother of everyone who seeks her constant intercession,” said Arch-bishop John Barwa […]

Catholic Church is against forced conversions, says Bishop Mascarenhas

The Catholic Church “is against all conversions done by force or deception. At the same time, it defends the right of everyone to profess and spread their faith,” said Mgr Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI). The prelate’s statement comes in the wake of the alleged abduction of two […]

Agnivesh asks pope to help nuns in rape case

Prominent Indian social activist Swami Agnivesh has sought the intervention of Pope Francis to help five nuns who are facing a church backlash after holding a public protest demanding action against a bishop accused of raping a nun. Agnivesh, who on Jan. 23 released his detailed letter to the Pope, told ucanews.com that the church’s […]