National

Indian Christians disassociate from leaders over Modi’s Christmas party

Thousands of Indian Christians have distanced themselves from their leaders who attended a Christmas lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, criticizing their silence over the ongoing anti-Christian violence in the country. Over 3,000 Christians signed an online signature campaign, saying the Christian leaders, including Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai and several bishops from various […]

Cardinal says Vatican doc on same-sex blessings a ‘natural’ for India

India’s most senior Catholic cardinal and a close advisor to Pope Francis has said the Fiducia Supplicans, a controversial new Vatican text approving non-liturgical blessings for same-sex unions, is a “natural” for his country, calling it “an affirmation of our spirituality and a gift.” Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Mumbai told Crux that in Indian culture, […]

Conversion case: Church rejoices after priest, others get bail

Church groups in India on December 20 expressed joy after a court granted bail to a priest and three Catholics in judicial custody for nearly three months for allegedly violating an anti-conversion law. The Allahabad High Court, the top court of Uttar Pradesh in northern India, granted bail to Father Babu Francis, the director of […]

Pray for Manipur, conflict regions: Catholic bishops’ Christmas message

The head of the Catholic Church in India on Christmas eve called for prayers for war-torn regions of the world, including Manipur in the country. “In the spirit of Christmas, I earnestly request your prayers for those in violence-affected and war-torn regions of our world, including the state of Manipur in our beloved country, and […]

Manipur, Archbishop of Imphal: ‘At Christmas God unites us beyond any tribe, language or culture’

“We are approaching Christmas” and “traditionally we look forward to this great celebration”, but “this year several parishes in our archdiocese will not be able to carry out Christmas liturgies or gather families and loved ones as happened in the past due to ethnic violence.” For this reason the Church invites us to “refrain from […]

India Christians welcome state election win by main Modi rival party

A senior Indian cardinal has welcomed a new state administration led by a party which represents the main rival to the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist BJP party, and which came to power in part on the basis on promises to respect minority rights. Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad congratulated A. […]

Nation acknowledges Christians’ contribution: Prime Minister

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the nation “proudly acknowledges the contribution of the Christian Community.” The prime minister said this while interacting with leaders of Christian community on the occasion of Christmas on December 25 at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, the official residence of the Prime Minister of India. The prime minister […]

Pope accepts resignations of Alencherry, Thazhath

Putting an end to speculations and rumors over the Vatican ambassador’s sudden and brief visit to the Kochi airport, the Syro-Malabar Church on December 7 announced that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of its major archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry. The Pope has also accepted the resignation of Archbishop Andrews Thazhath of Trichur from the […]

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