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National

Fr. Vijaya Paul Reddy Appointed New Bishop of Warangal

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Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Vijaya Paul Reddy Duggimpudi as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Warangal. He becomes the fourth bishop of the diocese and succeeds Archbishop Udumala Bala, who was recently transferred to Visakhapatnam.

Fr. Vijaya Paul Reddy is 61 years old and has been serving as the Diocesan Administrator of Warangal since April 2025.

Born on January 8, 1965, in Manugonda, Telangana, he completed his philosophy and theology studies at St. John’s Major Seminary, Hyderabad. He also earned academic degrees from Osmania University and Annamalai University, including Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Arts and Education.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Warangal on April 2, 1992.

Over the years, Bishop-elect Vijaya Paul served in many important roles in the Church. He worked as Assistant Parish Priest, Hostel Director, Parish Priest, and educational administrator in different dioceses. He also served as Director of Fatima College of Education, Director of Lodi Multipurpose Social Service Society, and Director of Christu Jyothi Institute of Technology and Science in Warangal.

Church leaders and faithful have welcomed his appointment with joy and hope.

The Diocese of Warangal was established on December 22, 1952. It covers the districts of Warangal and Karimnagar in Telangana.

According to Church statistics, the diocese has over 85,000 Catholics across 78 parishes. It is served by 92 diocesan priests, 187 religious priests, and 650 religious sisters.

With his long pastoral, educational, and administrative experience, Bishop-elect Vijaya Paul Reddy is expected to guide the Diocese of Warangal with dedication and faith.

National

Cardinal Filipe Neri Calls Indian Church to Embrace Synodality

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Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão has called on the Church in India to become more participatory, inclusive, and missionary through the spirit of synodality.

Speaking about the Church’s journey in India, the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India said synodality is both a grace and a responsibility. He explained that the Church must move from “working for people to walking with people” by promoting listening, shared responsibility, and active participation.

The Cardinal said India is already familiar with walking together through families, parishes, basic Christian communities, and religious groups. However, he noted that the Church now needs to make this journey more intentional, organised, and missionary.

He highlighted that India’s diversity of cultures, languages, rites, and traditions is a gift. According to him, synodality helps the Church strengthen unity while respecting differences. He stressed that unity does not mean uniformity but working together in Christ.

Cardinal Ferrão also called for a stronger culture of listening, especially to young people, women, and those on the margins of society. He said bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful must create more spaces for dialogue and participation.

He identified several challenges facing the Church in India, including clericalism, lack of formation in synodal values, fear of change, and social divisions such as caste and class differences.

The Cardinal encouraged Catholics to see these challenges as opportunities for renewal and mission. He said the CCBI’s Mission 2033 pastoral plan offers a practical roadmap for building a synodal Church through communion, participation, and mission.

From The States

Interfaith Programme in Mysuru Prison Brings Hope to Inmates

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An interfaith programme held at Central Prison Mysuru brought a message of hope, repentance, and renewal to hundreds of inmates on May 12 ahead of Bakrid celebrations.

The event was organised by Prison Ministry India (PMI), Mysuru Unit, as part of its outreach and rehabilitation efforts among prisoners. The programme aimed to encourage spiritual reflection, inner healing, and harmony among people of different faiths.

Chief Superintendent C. Seshumurthy presided over the gathering and encouraged inmates to reflect on the messages shared during the programme. He reminded them that their life journey does not end inside prison and urged them to prepare for a better future. He called on them to return to society with hope, dignity, and a renewed purpose.

The programme featured speakers from different religious backgrounds. Swami Agaharananda from the Ramakrishna Ashram spoke on the theme “All Religions are True.” Drawing from the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he explained that people can experience God through different spiritual paths.

Shri Ameer Bannur from Mangaluru spoke about repentance, reconciliation, and forgiveness. He highlighted how forgiveness can heal lives and restore broken relationships.

Representing the Christian perspective, Fr. Archibald Gonsalves, OCD, reflected on the theme “God is Love.” He encouraged inmates not to lose hope and reminded them of God’s mercy and the possibility of a new beginning.

Prison officials, volunteers, and ministry leaders also attended the programme.

The gathering ended with a strong message that no life is beyond change and that faith and hope can lead to transformation.

From The States

Christian Family Attacked and Threatened Over Faith in Chhattisgarh

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A Christian family in Madgaon village of Kondagaon district was allegedly attacked and threatened because of their faith, raising concerns about the safety of minority communities in the region.

According to reports, the incident happened on the morning of May 9 in Madgaon village under Dhanora Police Station in Keshkal block. Members of the Karanga family were reportedly plucking mangoes from a tree on land they have cultivated for many years when they were attacked.

Five family members were injured in the assault. Those injured include Phunau Karanga, Manau Karanga, Milki Bai Karanga, Devi Karanga, and Jageswari Karanga. They are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Keshkal.

Reports claim that two men from the same village objected to the family harvesting mangoes because they had converted to Christianity. The attackers allegedly told the family that they had no right to stay in the village or use local land and forest resources after accepting what they called a “foreign religion.”

The family had reportedly faced threats for several months. During village meetings, they were allegedly pressured to leave Christianity or face expulsion, loss of land, and threats to their lives.

The report also stated that the family was socially and economically isolated. They were allegedly stopped from collecting forest products such as Mahua flowers and Tendu leaves, which are important for livelihood.

Christian groups have urged authorities to provide protection, medical support, and legal action against those responsible for the violence and threats.

From The States

Jesuit Priest Fr. Aloysius Carvalho Passes Away at 96 in Kolkata

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Fr. Aloysius Patrick Carvalho, a senior Jesuit priest known for his lifelong service in education and mission work, passed away on May 6 at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. He was 96.

Popularly known as “Father Ally,” he spent more than 70 years serving the Church through schools, parish ministry, and mission work among the poor and tribal communities.

His funeral Mass was held on May 8 at St. Xavier’s College Chapel and was led by the Provincial of the Calcutta Jesuit Province. He was later buried at Dhyan Ashram, the traditional burial place of Jesuits in the region.

Born in Kolkata in 1929, Fr. Carvalho studied in different schools across India before joining the Society of Jesus in 1949. Though he had gained admission to engineering studies, he chose religious life instead.

He was ordained a priest in 1962 and began ministry in Howrah, serving poor families and Adivasi communities.

One of his greatest contributions was founding St. Mary’s School on Ripon Street, Kolkata, in 1967. He served as founder, principal, and administrator, earning a reputation as a disciplined but caring educator.

Former students remember him as strict but deeply compassionate, often personally helping struggling students continue their education.

Later, he worked in rural West Bengal, founding schools and mission centres for Santhal and Dalit children. In 1980, he established Shanti Sadan Ashram in Mirga, which continues to support children from poor communities.

Church leaders described him as humble, spiritual, and fully committed to serving others.

Fr. Carvalho leaves behind a lasting legacy of faith, education, and service to the poor.

From The States

Kerala Church Promotes Parish Mental Health Support Across Communities

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The Catholic Church in Kerala has called for the creation of Mental Health Ministries in every parish, diocese, and Church institution to support people facing emotional and psychological struggles.

The appeal was made during the Second Kerala Regional Mental Health Conference, “Manassinoru Karuthal,” held from May 8 to 9 in Kochi. The conference brought together priests, religious, and lay faithful involved in mental health ministry and outreach.

The event was organised by the Catholic Mental Health Ministry (CMHM) Kerala Region in collaboration with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India Office for Healthcare and the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council Health Commission.

During the conference, Bishop Alex Vadakumthala stressed the urgent need for a compassionate and organised Church response to growing mental health challenges affecting families, youth, elderly people, priests, and religious.

Participants discussed ways to strengthen parish-level mental health ministries using the Good Samaritan model, based on the three steps: Recognize, Respond, and Rebuild.

Church leaders described mental health ministry as an important mission for the whole Church and encouraged active participation from priests, religious, doctors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and laypeople.

The conference also launched a national database of mental health professionals to improve support and coordination in parishes and dioceses across India.

A Malayalam book titled “Manassinoru Karuthal” was released to promote mental health awareness in communities.

The newly introduced Good Samaritan Award was presented to Jipson from the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly for his service in parish-based mental health initiatives.

The conference ended with a strong commitment to expand mental health outreach, reduce stigma, and train more volunteers to care for people in distress.

From The States

Small Catholic School Brings Big Change to Meghalaya Village

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A small Catholic school in Mawlynrei village, under St. Dominic Savio Parish in Nongrah, has transformed the lives of many families by making education easier for children and strengthening the faith life of the community.

Mawlynrei is home to around 1,300 Khasi families. For many years, the village had only one parish school located at the center. Children living in the southern area, called Dong Sharum, struggled to attend school because of the long distance.

The turning point came in 2001 and 2002 when Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) were introduced in the village. During meetings and Gospel sharing, BEC leaders listened to the concerns of families and identified education as a major challenge.

Moved by the struggles of children, local leaders and BEC members decided to build a small school. With community support and collected funds, they constructed a simple tin-roof building and named it St. Joseph’s School.

The school officially opened on February 20, 2003, with one teacher, Ms. Brigida Mawthoh, who received a salary of just Rs. 300 per month funded by BEC members.

Over the years, the nursery school grew steadily. Today, St. Joseph’s School has classes up to Class V with seven teachers supported by regular community contributions.

The impact of BECs also extended beyond education. Faith participation increased, family prayers became more Scripture-centered, and more laypeople became involved in church activities.

What started as a small effort to help children reach school has now become a powerful example of how faith, unity, and community action can transform an entire village.

Asian

In Philippines Bishop-designate declines ordination, citing personal limitations after papal appointment

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Fr. Gerardo Saco Jr., who had been named bishop of Tagbilaran, announced he would not proceed with his ordination scheduled for May 26, leaving the diocese without a bishop months after its last prelate was transferred.

“After much prayer and careful discernment, I humbly inform the faithful of the Diocese of Tagbilaran of my decision not to proceed with my Episcopal Ordination scheduled on May 26, 2026,” Saco said.

He described the move as a “change of heart” and asked for understanding from the faithful. “It comes from a deep awareness of my own human limitations and inadequacies” .

The Diocese of Tagbilaran, located in Bohol province in the central Philippines, has been without a bishop since September 2025, when Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu was transferred to his current post. Saco had been serving as diocesan administrator at the time of his appointment.

In a separate statement, Archbishop Alberto Uy of Cebu confirmed that the Vatican had accepted Saco’s decision.  “Bishop-elect Gerardo ‘Jingboy’ Saco Jr. has communicated to the Holy Father his decision not to proceed with his episcopal ordination. The Papal Nuncio has informed that the Holy Father has accepted his decision,” Uy said. He acknowledged the response of the local Church, saying the development “has brought sadness to many of us, especially the faithful of the Diocese of Tagbilaran.”

Saco said he would continue his ministry as a priest. “Please be assured of my continued commitment as a priest, to journey with you in faith in the Risen Lord, who never abandons us in moments of trial and need,” he said.

Asian

Thai Church shifts priestly formation toward accompaniment, pastoral leadership, and accountability

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Thailand’s Catholic bishops are reshaping the way future priests are formed by investing in the training of seminary formators, emphasizing accompaniment, emotional maturity, and pastoral leadership in response to the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

The renewed approach marks a shift away from formation models focussed primarily on academics and discipline toward a more holistic framework rooted in the Vatican’s 2016 document, Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis. 

Church leaders in Thailand said formators must be prepared to guide seminarians through changing social realities, digital culture, and the demands of transparent and accountable ministry while deepening their own spiritual and human formation.

Central to the approach is the call for formators to become true spiritual guides who understand the personal journeys of seminarians and accompany them in their vocation. Church leaders also stressed that formators themselves must undergo ongoing conversion, continually deepening their human and spiritual maturity. The renewed vision was reflected in a recent training course held at Baan Phu Waan, west of Bangkok.

Organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand, the program brought together formators from diocesan seminaries and religious congregations, including participants from Dominic Savio Seminary. The course was directed, and focused on strengthening four essential dimensions of formation: human, spiritual, intellectual, and pastoral.

A distinctive feature of the program was its use of the See–Judge–Act method, a pastoral approach developed by Belgian Cardinal Joseph Cardijn and widely used in Catholic social teaching. The method encourages participants to engage reality through observation, reflection, and concrete action. It begins with examining real-life situations and their underlying causes, followed by reflection in the light of Scripture and Church teaching, before leading to responses aimed at promoting justice and transformation.

Asian

South Korea’s Catholic hospitals launch first AI ethics charter centred on human dignity

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South Korea’s Catholic medical network has launched the country’s first hospital AI ethics charter, with Church leaders insisting that artificial intelligence must never replace human compassion and responsibility in caring for the sick.

The Catholic Medical Center (CMC), one of the country’s largest Catholic healthcare systems, formally unveiled its “Medical AI Ethics Charter” during the “CMC Ethical AI Transformation Symposium” held May 7 at the Catholic University of Korea in Seoul.

The charter outlines four core principles and 12 implementation guidelines centered on human dignity, medical accountability, data ethics, social justice, and ecological responsibility. Its provisions include commitments to ensure that artificial intelligence strengthens rather than replaces relationships between patients and healthcare workers that medical personnel remain ultimately responsible for treatment decisions, and that patient privacy and fairness are protected. Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick attended the symposium alongside Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari, government officials, healthcare executives, and academic leaders.

In his address, Archbishop Chung said healthcare must remain rooted in human relationships despite rapid technological advances. “The essence of healthcare is not the transmission of knowledge, but a ‘human relationship’ in which life recognizes and respects another life,”

He warned that while machines may assist healthcare workers, they cannot replace human accompaniment and compassion. “Machines can analyze

 suffering, but they cannot accompany us in the face of that suffering,” he said, stressing that such accompaniment “must remain a human responsibility.”

The archbishop also expressed hope that even in an AI-driven medical environment, patients would continue to encounter compassion through healthcare workers. “Even on the day when artificial intelligence becomes fully integrated into medical practice, I pray that those who suffer may still feel, through healthcare workers and by their side, that they are loved by God,”