National

Indian bishops get back power on properties

India’s Supreme Court has restored the powers of Catholic bishops in Kerala to transfer diocesan properties and quashed a state court’s order that restricted them to dealing only with spiritual matters. “The Supreme Court order setting aside the high court observations is a matter of great relief to bishops and the entire Christian community in […]

‘State can regulate fees’ in minority colleges in India

In a verdict that will have far-reaching implications for minority Christian-run higher educational institutions in India, the country’s top court has ordered that while a minority educational institution is free to devise its own fee structure, the state has the power to regulate it. The Supreme Court ruling came while hearing a petition that challenged […]

6.50,000 attend Marian feast in Odisha

More than 50,000 people on March 5 gathered at a Marian pilgrimage center in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, when it celebrated its feast two years after a gap of two years. “We are here after the Covid pandemic to thank God who loves unconditionally and who is always willing to grant Mother Mary’s […]

Catholic hermit nun dies

Sister Prasanna Devi, a Catholic hermit nun who was an inspiration for many, especially Hindus, died February 27 in the western Indian state of Gujarat. She would have turned 89 on March 13. Sister Devi was suffering from age-related illnesses for the past few years. The death occurred at 2:33 pm at the parish presbytery […]

114-year-old Christian hospital in Uttar Pradesh faces harassment

A Christian hospital that has served a northern Indian city for more than a century faces closure after it became a victim of religious bigotry since one year. The Broadwell Christian Hospital managed by the Evangelical Church of India (ECI) in Fatehpur has faced “physical, mental, and emotional abuse due to the false allegations of […]

Indian pastor, wife held for alleged religious conversion

Indian police have arrested a Protestant pastor and his wife for allegedly indulging in religious conversions, say Christian leaders. Police in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where a sweeping anti-conversion law is in force, arrested Pastor Santosh John and his wife, Jiji John, on Feb. 26 based on a complaint by Bajrang Dal, an […]

Former bureaucrats urge Modi to denounce attacks on Christians

As many as 93 former civil servants have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about what they assay are recent increase in attacks on Christians in India. Banded under the Constitutional Conduct Group, the retired bureaucrats, urged Modi in their March 4 open letter to reassure Chri-stians in the country that it will get equal […]

Catholic school in Gujarat seeks police protection

The Catholic Church in the western Indian state of Gujarat state has sought police protection after one of its schools faced a ruckus by a right wing Hindu mob. “We request you to take necessary action against such unruly elements and grant us police protection so that no untoward situation occurs in our premises or […]

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