From The States

Hindus call off rally through Christian villages in eastern India

Government interventions have forced right-wing Hindu activists to call off a march, alleviating fears of an attack on Christian villagers in the eastern Indian state of Chhattis-garh. Christians across the state had been on edge after social media posts last month began mobilizing Hindu activists to march through three Christian villages, to demand the pro-tection […]

Dayal among three awarded for promoting religious freedom, civil liberties

John Dayal, a veteran journalist-turned human rights activist, was among three people chosen on March 5 for fighting for the cause of civil liberties and religious freedom. The annual Quaide Milleth Award, established in 2015, is given by the Che-nnai-based Quaide Milleth Educa-tional and Social Trust involved in the advancement of underprivileged sections of society. […]

Church ‘cautious’ about Indian state lifting liquor ban

Church leaders in the Christian-majority Mizoram have reacted cautiously to the government lifting a liquor ban in this state in India’s northeastern region. The state legislature, on March 10, amended the existing prohibition law amid opposition members walking out of the house protesting the change, local media reports said. However, Bishop Stephen Rotluanga of Aizawl […]

Catholics go on penitential pilgrimage in India’s Goa

Thousands of Catholics walked from their parishes in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman in western India to the Our Lady of Good Health Church in Sancoale as part of an annual penitential pilgrimage. Father Barry Cardozo, director of the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media, said this year being the Jubilee Year of Hope, […]

Indian court stops eviction from Lutheran Church’s leased land

The High Court in India’s Madhya Pradesh state has stopped officials from evicting some 150 Christian families from their homes, built on land the government leased out to their Church 50 years ago. Authorities in Betul district in January initiated the process to evict 151 Christian families and members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church after […]

Catholic prelate slams Indian state over wild animal attacks

A Catholic bishop in sou-thern Indian Kerala state has accused its communists-led go-vernment of inaction after 12 people were killed in wild ani-mal attacks in the past two months. “The [Kerala] state government is not doing enough to restrict wild animals in the forest,” said Bishop John Nelli-kunnel of Idukki diocese in the state. Nellikunnel […]

Christians seek Lent season safety in India’s northern state

Christians in a northern Indian state where they face increased persecution have urged police to protect them and their churches as they begin the seven-week-long Lent season of prayers and fasting. “We have sought police protection as we fear possible attacks from miscreants during Lenten season,” said Pastor Jitendra Singh, president of United Christian Committee […]

Mangalore priest greens parishes

Father Gregory Pereira, a priest of Mangalore diocese in southern India, is called different names in parishes he has served. In Bantwal, he was “Papaya Father,” and in Narampady, “Kumbalakai Father.” In Talapady where he now serves, he is “Dragon Father.” The parishioners have given him such titles as an honour for turning their parishes […]

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

No action taken against police who assaulted Catholic priests in India