From The States

People have a right to demonstrate peacefully: UN

“People have a right to demonstrate peacefully and authorities need to let them do so,” said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary General of the United Nations on December 5, on being asked about the farmers’ movement that has continued despite talks with the Government of India. The comment is the latest addition to a […]

Promoter of Christian-Muslim relations remembered

Colleagues and friends of Ataullah Siddiqui have recalled the UK-based Islamic scholar’s contributions to the promotion of Christian-Muslim relations. They shared their experience with Siddiqui at an online event organized by the Delhi-based Islamic Studies Association on November 29. Siddiqui died on November 9 of cancer at Birmingham in the United Kingdom. He was 66. […]

Patna gets new archbishop

Pope Francis on November 9 accepted the resignation of Jesuit Archbishop William D’Souza of Patna. This led to the automatic elevation of Coadjutor Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura as Patna’s metropolitan archbishop. This was made public at 4:30 pm in India, says a press release from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), the national body […]

Church supports Indian farmers’ struggle against lopsided laws

Catholic Church leaders have pledged solidarity with thousands of Indian farmers who are protesting on the borders of New Delhi demand-ing the repeal of three controversial farm laws enacted two months ago. Thousands of farmers from Punjab have blocked entry and exit points to New Delhi after police stopped their march to the national capital. Farmer […]

Global activists want India designated “country of particular concern”

New York: Leading American and global human and civil rights activists have come together to reinforce the demand to designate India as a “country of particular concern” to prevent and combat ongoing persecution of its religious minorities. The November 16 discussion was organized by the Indian American Muslim Council in collaboration with Hindus for Human Rights, […]

Four congregations work together to help girls with disabilities

Sr Teslin Poovathanickal is proud of the wounds on her face. “Oh, they are my Ruby’s gift,” the 43-year-old member of the Preshitharam Sisters says as she runs her fingers over the marks. Ruby, a 26-year-old woman with speech and hearing impairment who gets violent occa-sionally, scratched Poovathanickal’s face in a fit of anger a […]

Latin-Rite dioceses to mark “Communio India” Sunday

The Latin-Rite dioceses of India will mark “Communio India” Sunday on November 29 (first Sunday of Advent) with the theme “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13: 34). “This year we observe Communio India Sunday amidst the suffering and the challenges created by the Covid-19 pan-demic. Nevertheless, the missionary journey of the […]

Jain businessman who promoted Bible passes away

A Jain businessman, who funded the publication of Bible reflections running to ten volumes eight years ago, died in Indore, Madhya Pradesh State. Ajit Kumar Kasliwal passed away on November 19 after a prolonged period of illness. He was 84. Father Alengaden says the Jain businessman was a sign of hope when India experiences tension […]

Indian bishops slam terror attack on tourists in India’s Kashmir

No action taken against police who assaulted Catholic priests in India