The Catholic Church in Odisha is mourning the death of Fr. Anselm Francis Biswal, a respected priest whose more than six decades of service touched countless lives. He passed away on May 22 at the age of 90.

Funeral services were held at Sacred Heart Parish, Suruda, led by Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. More than 50 priests, 25 nuns, and hundreds of faithful gathered to pay their final respects.

Church leaders remembered Fr. Biswal as a humble priest, caring pastor, wise guide, and dedicated missionary. Archbishop Barwa said his life and ministry would continue to inspire people even after his death. He noted that the prayers, guidance, and sacrifices of a priest never disappear from the hearts of the faithful.

Born on November 6, 1935, in Dantolingi, Fr. Biswal joined seminary formation after completing his studies and was ordained a priest on October 2, 1962. Over the years, he served in many parishes and institutions across Odisha, including Puri, Berhampur, Sambalpur, Balasore, and Cuttack.

Apart from pastoral ministry, he was also known for his contribution to education and writing. He authored The Little Mustard Seed, a book that documented the history of Catholic missionary work in southern Odisha.

Many people remembered him as a man of deep prayer, simplicity, and commitment. Former students, family members, and parishioners shared how his kindness and guidance influenced their lives.

Church leaders said Fr. Biswal’s legacy of faith, compassion, and service will continue to live on among the people of Odisha for generations.

Twenty-one-year-old Cleto Avito Fernandes from Panjim is inspiring young people in Goa through his passion for farming, environmental care, and entrepreneurship. Blending traditional farming with modern ideas, he has become a role model for youth interested in sustainable living.

Fernandes began farming when he was in the seventh standard by growing just two lady finger plants at home. Over the years, his small garden developed into a larger mission promoting organic farming and environmental awareness.

Today, he cultivates vegetables in fields at Taleigao and regularly conducts workshops in schools and colleges on composting, organic farming, and paddy cultivation. His home garden has also become a learning space where students visit to understand sustainable agriculture practices.

Using organic methods, Fernandes produces vermicompost and natural liquid manure. In 2024, he expanded his work by starting a poultry farm in Panjim after facing several challenges. He also grows and sells bonsai and ornamental plants while teaching bonsai cultivation to students free of cost.

Apart from farming, Fernandes is active in music, acting, and dance, winning awards in performing arts across Goa and India. In March 2025, he received the Youngest Entrepreneur Award for his achievements.

Currently pursuing a B.Sc. Agriculture degree, Fernandes hopes to encourage more young people to enter farming. He believes agriculture can become both sustainable and meaningful for Goa’s future.

His journey reflects dedication, creativity, and a strong commitment to protecting nature while inspiring the next generation.

Hundreds of Catholic youth from the Diocese of Miao in Arunachal Pradesh made a unique commitment during a three-day Youth Convention by setting their daily alarms for 20:33 as a reminder to pray for the Great Jubilee 2033.

The convention was held at Divine Word School in Roing and brought together around 350 young participants from eight districts of eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The initiative was inspired by the upcoming Jubilee celebration marking 2000 years of the Church and the mission of the Risen Lord.

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao encouraged the youth to make prayer a daily habit. He asked them to pause every evening at 20:33 and silently pray “Thy Kingdom Come” wherever they may be. Many participants named their alarms with the same message as a sign of unity and faith.

Former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Mukut Mithi also addressed the gathering. He encouraged young people to preserve their culture and traditions while working for social progress and excellence in education and science.

Youth leaders described the initiative as more than a symbolic action. They said it reflects the youth’s commitment to prepare spiritually for Jubilee 2033 and to grow stronger in faith together. The convention included Bible-based activities, cultural performances, discussions, and the election of new youth leaders. Participants said the shared prayer at 20:33 each day would spiritually unite Catholic youth across the region and strengthen their mission for the future.

Several tribal Christian families in Chhattisgarh’s Kanker district have accused local authorities of failing to protect their basic rights after they were allegedly denied access to water sources and livelihood opportunities because of their faith.

Christian leaders said the problems began in early April and continue in many villages of the Antagarh area. According to a fact-finding team sent by local Christian organisations, at least 26 families have been blocked from using rivers, ponds, hand pumps, and public water taps.

The report also stated that 41 families were excluded from a rural employment guarantee scheme that supports poor villagers with work opportunities. In addition, around 115 families were reportedly stopped from collecting tendu leaves, an important source of income for tribal communities in central India.

Church leaders further alleged that some families had firewood taken away by fellow villagers despite collecting it legally from nearby forests.

Christian groups claimed the affected families had repeatedly appealed to village officials, police, and district authorities, but no effective action was taken. Many families are now forced to travel long distances at night to fetch drinking water.

According to pastors working in the area, the restrictions are being used to pressure Christians to stop attending church services and return to Hinduism.

Christian leaders said denying access to water and livelihoods violates human dignity and constitutional rights. They have appealed to state authorities, human rights groups, and civil society organisations to intervene and ensure protection for the affected families. The incident has once again raised concerns about discrimination and religious tensions faced by Christian minorities in parts of central India.

The Kerala Tailoring Workers Forum (KTWF) has appealed to the state government to take immediate action to solve the growing problems faced by tailoring workers across Kerala.

The demand was raised during the KTWF State Conference held at Ernakulam Town Hall in Kochi on May 25. Leaders at the conference said tailoring workers are facing serious difficulties due to anti-labour policies and increasing monopolisation in the garment industry.

The conference was inaugurated by Hibi Eden, while KTWF State President Babu Thannikkode presided over the meeting. Several Church leaders, labour representatives, and community leaders also attended the gathering.

Among the speakers were Bishop Sylvester Ponnumuthan, Bishop Jose Porunnedom, and T. J. Vinod. They stressed the need for stronger welfare measures and better policy support for tailoring workers.

The conference passed a resolution requesting the Tailoring Workers Welfare Fund Board to introduce special skill development programmes and improve welfare and retirement benefits according to present-day needs.

Delegates also demanded a review of the discontinued service pension scheme and asked that merit scholarships be provided to all eligible children of members.

The forum further requested that marriage assistance benefits, currently available only for daughters, should also be extended to sons. Participants also sought financial support for the families of deceased pension members.

Ten tailoring workers from different districts were honoured during the conference for their dedication and contribution to the profession.

KTWF leaders said urgent policy intervention is necessary to protect the livelihood and dignity of tailoring workers in Kerala.

The Delhi High Court has ruled that private unaided recognised schools in Delhi can increase fees before the start of an academic session without obtaining prior approval from the Directorate of Education (DoE).

The judgment was delivered by Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani on May 25. The Court clarified that schools only need prior permission from the DoE if they want to increase fees during an ongoing academic year. If the revised fee structure is announced before the academic session begins, no prior approval is necessary.

The Court explained that the role of the DoE is mainly to regulate schools and prevent profiteering, commercialisation of education, and illegal collection of capitation fees. It stated that the department should not interfere unnecessarily in the financial management of private unaided schools.

The ruling came after a group of private schools, led by Delhi Public School, challenged DoE orders that rejected their fee hike proposals.

The Court accepted the schools’ argument that they have financial autonomy under the Delhi School Education Act and Rules. It also observed that maintaining surplus funds for future development cannot automatically be considered profiteering unless proven through proper financial audits.

The High Court cancelled earlier DoE orders rejecting fee hikes proposed before academic sessions and closed pending applications delayed over approval issues.

However, the Court refused to allow schools to collect unpaid fee differences from previous years. It stated that such recovery would unfairly burden parents and students. The revised fee structures will apply only from the academic session beginning in April 2027.

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.

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.

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.

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.