From The States

Asian Catholic responses to an evangelical presence

In this week of prayer for Christian unity, we are called to pay attention to the diversity of Christians as well as to their mutual relations. We explore here some of the ways through which Asian Catholics respond to the presence of evangelical Christians. Evangelical churches, which stress that one has to be “born again” to […]

Syro-Malabar synod fails to resolve violent row over the Mass

In what amounts to the latest failure to resolve an almost 25 year-old liturgical feud, a six-day meeting of bishops of the Syro-Malabar church concluded Saturday without any new consensus on how Mass ought to be celebrated. Centered in the southern Indian state of Kerala, the Syro-Malabar Church has more than four million followers worldwide, […]

Hindu mob attacks Catholic NGO staff on Indian train

A Catholic priest sought police protection for his non-governmental organization (NGO) in western India a few days after his staff members were attacked by Hindu nationalists on a running train alleging they were missionaries involved in conversion activities. Seven teachers of a Catholic NGO working in Dhule district in the western state of Maharashtra were assaulted […]

Tribal factor at play ahead of crucial elections in India

For the first time, tribal people in India are a much sought-after community as nine Indian states face elections this year, ahead of the crucial general election next year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will seek a third term. Tribal people can tilt the balance in seven of the nine states going to the polls […]

Indian parishioners stage stir to reopen Cathedral

Some 300 Catholics demonstrated demanding the reopening of a cathedral in southern India on Jan. 26, more than a month after police closed it following a violent clash between rival Catholics over a longstanding liturgy dispute. Police sealed the St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese in the Eastern rite Syro-Malabar Church in Kerala last Christmas eve. […]

Myanmar mass pardons include 300 political prisoners: UN

Among more than 7,000 prisoners granted amnesty by Myanmar’s junta this week were about 300 political prisoners, the United Nations said on January 7. The military junta, which seized power nearly two years ago, announced it would free 7,012 prisoners to mark the 75th anniversary of Myanmar gaining independence. It did not specify whether the […]

Kandhamal survivor among three Capuchin priests ordained

Kandhamal survivor among three Capuchin priests ordained in Odisha. Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur January 4, 2023 ordained Deacons Aspin Digal, Ramesh Parichha and Samant Nayak at San Damiano Capuchin Minor Seminary, Sindurapalli, Chatrapur of Ganjam District of eastern Indian state of Odisha. “The priest is given a sacred power to serve God’s people, […]

Newly ordained Jesuit priest dies in road accident

A Jesuit priest died January 10 in a road accident in central India a little over two months after his priestly ordination. Father Arun Bara died around 4 pm when his motorcycle was hit by a truck near Bandarchua village near Kunkuri in the Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh state. He was 33 and was ordained […]

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica