National

Synod representative shares thoughts on Vatican synod

The young Catholic representative at the just concluded Bishops’ Synod on youth in Rome says corporate culture and digital influence are major concerns for the Indian youth. Percival Holt, 25, was one of the 38 young people from various parts of the world who participated in a Synod that concluded on October 28 in Vatican […]

CHURCH SCHOOLS IN INDIA AMONG THOSE THAT ‘SHOULD NOT EXIST’

Muslim and Christian leaders in India see danger in a pro-Hindu group’s demand that the government revoke a policy allowing minority groups to own and manage educational institutions in the country. A report released on Oct. 10 by the Centre for Policy Analysis, a think tank of hard-line Hindu group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, stated that […]

POLICE PURSUE CHRISTIAN DONATIONS

Officials probing more than 80 Indian Christian institutions in eastern Indian Jharkhand State have recommended a federal investigation on fund diversions, which church leaders say is an attempt to project Christians as law breakers. The state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has recommended a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the premier agency under the federal […]

PRO-HINDU TRIBAL PEOPLE TAKE OVER INDIAN CHURCH

Pro-Hindu tribal people have removed a cross from a Protestant Church and converted the building into their community hall in India’s Jharkhand State in a move that Christian leaders believe is linked to upcoming elections. Some 50 tribal people took down the cross from the Vishwa Vani (voice of the world) church in Khadnga village, […]

US MISSIONARY WHO HELPED YOUTHS BREAK FROM DRUGS PASSES AWAY

Bangladeshis are mourning a prominent American Catholic missionary who dedicated much of his life to the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts in the South Asian nation. Holy Cross Brother Ronald Drahozal passed away at a retirement and treatment facility run by his order in the U.S. State of Indiana on Oct. 16. He was […]

PAKISTANI HEAD TEACHER SUSPENDED FOR ATTACKING CHRISTIAN STUDENT

Pakistani authorities have suspended the head teacher of a government school for assaulting a Christian student and abusing his mother. Nusrat Shaheen was suspended on Oct. 22 after a complaint of discrimination against 12-year- old Sharjeel Masih by his parents. Sharjeel, a fourth grader, was beaten and suspended for a week from the Government Boys […]

Minorities Commission objects to school circular to recite ‘Gayatri mantra’

The Delhi Minorities Commission has issued a notice to the North civic body over a circular issued by it for recital of ‘Gayatri Mantra’ in schools run by its education department. Chairman of Delhi Minorities Commission(DMC) Zafarul Islam Khan said the notice was recently issued to the education department of North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). […]

Assam Christian forum condemns vandalism of Don Bosco statue

The Assam Christian Forum has condemned the vandalism of a statue of St John Bosco kept in front of the Bishop’s House in Tezpur, the cultural capital of the north-eastern Indian state. This is another incident of increasing intolerance in Assam and it has “put us all in anxiety,” says Allen Brooks, spokesperson of the […]

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica