From The States

Christians slam ban on healing prayers in northeast India

Christians in a northeast Indian state are opposing a ban on organizing and publicizing healing prayer events, saying it violates the constitutional right to practice their religion. Authorities in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district issued an order on Feb. 28 banning all kinds of “prayer healing, healing crusades, healing through the local priest, pujas [ritual […]

Odisha: Foul play suspected in tribal Catholic girl’s death

The mysterious death of a tribal Catholic girl in a government-managed hostel has led to unrest in a district in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. The girl, a ninth grader of Jawahar Navodaya School in Paralakhemundi, the headquarters of Gajapati district, was found dead on February 20 in the school hostel. While the school […]

Priest, 3 nuns among 6 killed in Meghalaya road accident

A Catholic priest and three nuns were among six people who died February 26 in a road accident in the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya. The victims were identified as Father Mathew Das, parish priest and principal St. John’s H S School, Barama, and Fatima Sisters Milagrine Dantes, Promila Tirkey, and Rossie Nongrum, and teacher […]

A BIBLE FOR EVERY HOME” CENTRAL OFFICE INAUGURATED

“Bible is truly the inspired Word of God. Hence, attentively and devotedly reading the Bible daily is listening to God Himself who is its author,” said Rev. Fr Domenico Soliman, Superior General of the Society of St Paul, at Subodha Nilayam Communications, Eluru, inaugurating the newly-erected Central Office of the “A Bible for Every Home”, […]

Indian Catholic Forum stresses Synodal Church, secular society

The need for a Synodal Church and secular society was stressed at a meeting organized by the Indian Catholic Forum (ICF), an informal platform of like-minded persons concerned about the renewal of the Church and nation building. As many as 30 delegates, including seven priests, attended the February 17-18 meeting on Synodality and Secularism at […]

Icon of Catholic laity in Karnataka honored

Catholic bishops and leaders of other religions in Karnataka have honored Ronald Colaco, a Catholic layman who has made a name in business and philanthropy. Colaco has done “immense social service to society and to the needy. He is a role model and an inspiration to all,” said Bishop Peter Paul Saldana of Mangalore addressing […]

Christians protest targeted hate and violence

Thousands of Christians belonging to various denominations and institutions on February 19 staged a peaceful prayer protest in New Delhi. The protest was to draw the attention of the government, judiciary and civil society to “the sharp escalation of targeted hate and violence against Christian community in many states,” said a press release issued by […]

Pope-Bishop Mulakkal meeting “distresses” Sisters in Solidarity

A national-level group of Catholic women in India has expressed distress about Bishop Franco Mulakkal visiting Pope Francis in the Vatican. The “Sisters in Solidarity” on February 21 wrote to the Pope that they were distressed to read about Bishop Mula-kkal’s February 8 meeting with the pontiff. They said they read in an Indian newspaper […]

Eviction-facing Indian Catholics to fight Muslim charity’s claims

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica