National

India plans peace steps in strife-torn northeast

The Indian government has drawn up a plan to bring peace to the volatile northeastern region housing the nation’s only three Christian-majority states after the mammoth national elections end early next month. “Peace in the northeastern states, including Manipur, and end of various conflicts, is a priority,” said an official with India’s internal security ministry. […]

Catholic college rector in India says religions should collaborate on reconciliation

A Catholic college president in India spoke about the Buddhist Vesak holiday, which commemorates Gautama Buddha, saying he cherishes a hope “that our multi-cultural, interfaith encounters form communities of awareness and the different religious principles and teachings that should benefit all of humanity.” This month, Vatican published the message “Christians and Buddhists: Working together for […]

Catholic religious in India to collaborate for better future

Superiors of Catholic religious congregations of men and women in India have stressed the need for inter-congregational collaboration for the betterment of the Church amid increasing hostility against Christians. The Conference of Religious India (CRI), the national body of major superiors of Catholic religious congregations, heard several such calls at its May 14-17 gathering in […]

Church launches programme to support informal migrants’ rights

The Commission for Migrants of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) launched the project “Supporting Informal Mi-grant Workers: Access to Entitlements” to ensure all migrant workers have equal access to basic rights and services. The CCBI Commission for Migrants, together with the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), envisioned this project as a way […]

Church of South India in limbo after apex court order

The routine administration of the Church of South India (CSI) has come to a standstill following a top court order that restrained a court-appointed panel from exercising its power. “We do not know what to do and whom to report as there is no one to manage the daily affairs,” said an official working at […]

Manipur Clashes Anniversary: Archbishop Calls For Peace

Archbishop Linus Neli of Imphal has called all Catholics in the eastern Indian state of Manipur to hold intense fast and prayer for reconciliation and peace May 3-5. “Let us persistently pray for the day when people of all ethnicities and religious commu-nities can live together peacefully in this beautiful land of Manipur,” says a […]

Archbishop Accused Of Violating Election Code

A pro-Hindu group has sought action against a Catholic arch-bishop, accusing him of violating the country’s poll code by trying to influence voters on religious grounds amid India’s ongoing national elections. The Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, wants the Election Commission of India to take […]

India’s Hindu Nationalists Seek Law To Control Population

A Hindu nationalist group in India, the world’s most populous country, has demanded a law to control population growth over perceived fears that Muslims could outnumber the majority Hindus. “Hindus generally settle down for one or two children… [but] there are people who say children are Allah’s gifts. This is a matter of deep concern,” […]

Salesians elect Maltese priest Fabio Attard as Don Bosco’s 11th successor

Pope Francis does not accept Cardinal Koch’s resignation: could continue at least until anniversary of Council of Nicea