From The States

Anger in Islamic world after India prophet row

Muslims took to the streets in huge protests around Asia after Friday on June 10 prayers, sparked by remarks about the Prophet Mohammed by an Indian ruling party official that embroiled the country in a diplomatic storm. Anger has engulfed the Islamic world since last week when a spokes-woman for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling […]

Arunachal youth cycle for peace and environment

A group of young people from Tezu town in Arunachal Pradesh marked the World Bicycle Day by promoting the cause of peace and environment. The 10-memeber youth group, cycled from Krick and Bourry Memorial School in Tezu to Demwe in Lohit district and back, 20 kilo-meters, to campaign for peace in the world, and to […]

Nun alleges torture, harassment, congregation denies

A Catholic nun has come to public with allegations of torture and mental harassment from her congregation. Sister Elcina, nee K.V Sudha, a member the Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy, an Italian congregation, made the revelation to media on June 7 in front of her provincial house in Mysore, a city in southern Indian […]

Jesuit who taught contextual theology for decades dies

The Indian Theo-logical Association and others have mourned the death of Jesuit Father Joseph Mattam, who had accompanied gene-rations of students in their theological research. The funeral was held May 30 at Vadodara’s Shrine of Our Mother of the Forsaken, Vadodara. Fr Mattam was a member of the Gujarat Jesuit province for 66 years and […]

Catholics in India rejoice over first Dalit cardinal

Catholics in India seem euphoric after Pope Francis named a Dalit from the country among the 21 new cardinals. Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals in the next consistory on Aug. 27, including five archbishops and one bishop from Asia. Sixteen of the new cardinals are under the age of 80, who are eligible […]

Church joins relief efforts in flood-hit Indian state

Indian Catholics have joined relief and rescue efforts organized by NGOs and government agencies as the death toll from flooding in Assam has reached 24 in the north-eastern state. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, the situation re-mains critical as nearly 720,000 people in 22 districts are reeling under the deluge, with Nagaon, […]

Jesuit Father Ephrem Manikompe: Mentor of self-esteem

Jesuit Fr Ephrem Manikompe, a renowned school teacher, died May 22, leaving a deep grief in the hearts of hundreds. After a cardiac arrest on May 19, he had a brief hospitalization. He was 80. The member of the Kerala Jesuit province will always be remembered for his kindness and simplicity. He served as a […]

Christians resent surveillance of Church-run schools in Indian state

Christian leaders in the central Indian Madhya Pradesh have objected to the state government’s move to put Church-run schools under the microscope. State home minister Narottam Mishra announced on May 16 that police will monitor Church-run schools to curb religious conversions. A day earlier, police arrest-ed six people, including two pastors, after Bajrang Dal, a […]

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica