The third global convention on autism concluded in Bengaluru on January 25 with a strong call to improve facilities and services for people with autism, as their numbers continue to rise worldwide. Experts noted that about one in every 100 people globally is on the autism spectrum and needs professional support along with understanding and empathy from society.

The weeklong convention was hosted by St. John’s Medical College, which is owned by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. During the event, the college announced plans to set up a special wing on its campus dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of people with autism.

Around 1,000 delegates from different countries took part in the scientific conference. About 155 speakers presented research papers and shared insights on caring for people with autism at home and in the community. Parents, caregivers, and social workers also spoke about their experiences and efforts to improve the quality of life of autistic persons.

One inspiring speaker was Alina Alam, who founded “Mitti Café” at the age of 22 to create jobs for people with autism and other disabilities. The café chain now has more than 50 outlets, including in major public institutions, and has created over 6,500 livelihoods while serving millions of meals.

Indigenous women in Manipur, a troubled state in northeast India, have demanded justice for women victims of sexual violence and ethnic killings, most of whom belong to tribal Christian communities. The protests were held on January 21 and 22 in the district headquarters of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur.

The women, mainly from the Kuki-Zo indigenous communities, submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through local authorities. They demanded immediate justice for women who were killed or sexually abused during the ethnic violence that began in May 2023.

According to the memorandum, at least 29 indigenous women were killed during the violence. The victims included young girls, elderly women, and even a woman with mental disability. The protestors alleged that the women suffered extreme forms of violence such as rape, gang rape, lynching, hacking to death, burning alive, abduction, and neglect while in custody.

The protest gained renewed strength after the death of a 20-year-old gang rape survivor on January 10 this year. She was abducted and assaulted in May 2023 and later abandoned. Her death without justice deeply affected the community and pushed women to speak out.

Protestors carried placards demanding arrests of the perpetrators and an end to government inaction. They questioned why justice had not been delivered even after cases were registered and investigations handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Manipur has witnessed severe ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo tribal people and the Meitei community since May 3, 2023. Around 260 people were killed, over 60,000 displaced, and thousands of homes and churches destroyed.

Although the state is now under federal rule, peace has not fully returned. Indigenous leaders say justice and lasting peace will remain difficult without a clear political solution that ensures safety and dignity for tribal communities.

The newly constituted pastoral council of the Major Archdiocese of Ernakulam–Angamaly has taken shape following elections held on January 24 at the Renewal Centre, Kaloor reflecting active participation of clergy and laity in the pastoral life of the Church.

Shaiju Antony was elected secretary of the pastoral council, with Jaini Samraj serving as joint secretary. Along with them, Riju Kanjookaran, Nimmy Antony, and Father Sunny Kalapurackal were chosen as members of the pastoral council’s executive committee. Boby John Malayil was elected to lead the Kerala Catholic Council, strengthening coordination between the archdiocese and wider Catholic bodies.

The elections were conducted in the presence of Mar Raphael Thattil, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly and Mar Joseph Pamplany, Vicar of the Major Archbishop for the Archdiocese highlighting the importance of the process. The archdiocesan chancellor, Father Antony Vazhakkala, and vice chancellor, Father Paul Meledath, served as returning officers, ensuring the smooth and transparent conduct of the elections.

Speaking after the results, Riju Kanjookaran noted that around 170 representatives from various forane churches and parishes participated in the voting. The newly elected pastoral council will guide pastoral planning and decision-making in the archdiocese for the next three years. Church members have expressed hope that the council will foster unity, dialogue, and renewed commitment to the spiritual and pastoral mission of the Archdiocese of Ernakulam–Angamaly.

Prof. Dr. Fr. Jacob Parappally, MSFS, received a 2025 Honorable Mention from the Catholic Media Association (CMA) in the USA for his book, Christ Without Borders, published by Orbis Books (Maryknoll, New York). The book was featured in a discussion by the Canadian Theological Association in June 2025, which included presentations by four professors of theology. 

Fr. Parappally is a prominent Indian theologian specializing in Christology, as well as a dedicated teacher, research guide, and author. He holds a doctorate in Theology from the University of Freiburg, Germany. Over his distinguished career, he has published 12 books and over 250 theological articles. The Indian Church is deeply grateful to him for bringing Indian theology to a wider global audience. 

A significant chapter unfolded for the Catholic community in Mumbai with the ordination of Bishop Stephen Fernandes as Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay, an event that brought together senior Church leaders, clergy and faithful from across the city. The episcopal ordination took place at Our Lady of Salvation Church, a parish closely linked to the new bishop’s own faith journey. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, served as the principal consecrator, assisted by Archbishop John Rodrigues of Bombay and Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, former Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal and President of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy in the Vatican. More than 30 bishops and archbishops participated in the celebration, including Cardinal Oswald Gracias and Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao. Priests, religious, lay faithful and members of the diplomatic community were also present.

The official poster of the Youth Mission Animation Programme (YMAP) was formally unveiled, marking the launch of a new leadership formation initiative for young people across Kerala. Archbishop Varghese Chakkalakal, President of the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Bishops’ Conference (KRLCBC), released the poster, underlining the Church’s commitment to nurturing youth leadership rooted in mission, service and Christian values.

The programme is organised by the KRLCBC Youth Commission in collaboration with Communio, an initiative of the Conference of Catholic Bishops’ of India (CCBI). YMAP is designed as a structured leadership training platform aimed at empowering young people with a strong sense of responsibility towards the Church and society.

Several Church leaders and youth representatives were present at the launch. Among them were Bishop Christudas Rajappan, General Secretary of the KRLCBC, and Bishop Dennis Kuruppassery, the newly elected Chairman of the KRLCBC Youth Commission. Fr Anoop Kalathithara OSJ, Executive Secretary of the Youth Commission, Mr Paul Jose, President of the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement Latin (KCYM Latin), and youth leaders from different parts of the state also attended.

Organisers announced that the first YMAP residential training programme will be held from January 16 to 18 in Kozhikode (Calicut). The sessions will focus on values-based leadership, mission orientation and active engagement in social and ecclesial life.

Through YMAP, the KRLCBC Youth Commission aims to form a new generation of committed Catholic leaders capable of responding creatively to contemporary challenges while remaining faithful to the Church’s mission. The unveiling of the poster marks the formal beginning of preparations and reflects a renewed emphasis on youth leadership and mission animation within the Latin Catholic Church in Kerala.

Financial assistance and long-term mentorship from Father Abraham Karukaparambil have enabled four young men from economically disadvantaged families in Odisha to complete their medical education and begin serving in government healthcare institutions.

Dr. Sailendu Singh, from Alanjuri village in Kandhamal district, said financial hardship almost forced him to discontinue his MBBS studies at St. John’s Medical College, Bengaluru. His circumstances changed when Father Abraham stepped in to support him, contributing nearly ₹1 lakh annually and offering consistent encouragement throughout his academic journey. Singh now serves as a government medical officer at Subarnagiri Community Health Centre in Kandhamal.

Three other students also completed their MBBS with similar support. Dr. Sarada Charan Bardhan from Birikote Parish in the Berhampur Diocese has joined St. John’s Medical College as an orthopaedic doctor while pursuing postgraduate studies. Dr. Kusum Nayak from Gajapati district works as a government medical officer at Subarnagiri Community Health Centre, and Akshya Montry from the Berhampur Diocese serves at Kashinagar Community Health Centre in Gajapati district.

A native of Kerala, Father Abraham has served in Odisha for over three decades, focusing on the education and upliftment of Dalit and tribal communities. He is currently ministering in Texas under the Archdiocese of San Antonio, USA. According to Father Abraham, he presently supports 47 students across India pursuing professional education, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy and other higher studies. Over the years, hundreds of students from financially weak backgrounds have benefited from his assistance, with many now working as doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers and civil servants, including professionals in leading national institutions.

Bringing together members of the Anglo-Indian community from across the world, the 13th International Anglo-Indian Reunion 2026 will be held in Kochi, Kerala, from January 11 to 17, 2026, under the theme “Coming Back to Familiar Shores.”

The reunion invites participants to come together and celebrate their shared heritage, culture, and identity, while strengthening ties across borders and forging new memories. A range of events has been planned as part of the week-long gathering, including a Meet and Greet, Symposium, Workshops, Musical Evening, Food Festival, Boat Cruise, and a Grand Ball.

Participants are encouraged to register through the official website to avail of the early bird offer. The reunion is being organised by the Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations in India (FAAI), a member of the International Federation of Anglo-Indian Associations.

Christian leaders in India’s eastern state of Odisha have expressed concern over growing hostility toward Christians after villagers prevented the burial of an elderly tribal Catholic, forcing his family to conduct the rites several kilometres away days later.

Chhuta Hansda, a 90-year-old resident of Rangamatia village in Balasore diocese, died on January 7. Family members said preparations were being made for a Christian burial when his nephew objected, demanding that Sarna tribal rites be followed instead. Relatives declined, stating that the family had embraced Christianity decades earlier.

According to the deceased’s grandson, more villagers belonging to the Sarna animist tradition joined the protest and blocked the burial unless their rituals were observed. Local police and revenue officials visited the village on January 9 but were unable to resolve the dispute.

“The situation ended painfully for us,” said Binod Hansda, secretary of the Hatigarh Parish Council. “Three days after the death, the family was compelled to take the body to common land about five kilometres away to perform the last rites.”

Bishop Pallab Lima of the United Believers Council Network India confirmed the incident and said similar objections had occurred in the area in recent years. He warned that Christians were increasingly being denied burial rights across parts of the state and called for unity and dialogue.

Christian activist Pratima Minj said comparable incidents had been reported from several tribal districts, describing them as attempts to intimidate believers. Church leaders also alleged that attacks and harassment have increased in the past year.