National

Discrimination against Dalit Catholics is against God’s Law

It is heartening to know that India’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by some Dalit Catholics from Kumbakonam diocese in Tamil Nadu state in southern India. On the other hand, it is shocking that these poor Dalit Catholics had to approach the courts, as reported by UCA News, to give them their […]

Indian Church’s Lenten campaign focuses on disabled people

The Indian Church’s campaign for this Lenten season plans to reach out to some 10,000 people with disabilities, helping them with care, support, and devices for assistance, say officials. Cari-tas India, the social service wing of the national bishops’ forum, on March 9 launched the national campaign in New Delhi, promi-sing to collaborate with the […]

Holistic accompaniment to survivors of sexual violence

“Accelerate Action” to gua-rantee gender equality and wo-men’s rights, focusing on impa-ctful solutions, inclusivity and intersectionality, is this year’s call for International Women’s Day on March 8. A promising demon-stration of such action is the out-reach by an India-based network of Catholic women called Sisters in Solidarity (SIS), established in 2019 to provide holistic support […]

Theology courses help Indian Catholics grasp Church mission

Hubert Praveen grew up thinking that only people of other faiths, namely Hindus and Muslims, can be religious fanatics. The 43-year-old father of two now has a different understanding of life and faith after he completed a course on theology. “We say Hindus and Muslims are fanatics. But we are no less when it comes […]

Church leaders mourn stampede deaths in India’s capital

Church leaders have mourned the death of Hindu pilgrims in the latest stampede at the overcrowded New Delhi Railway Station in India’s capital. The deadly crush on Feb. 15 night reportedly killed 18 people and left several injured. Railway officials said the surging crowds scrambled to catch trains to Prayagraj, a city in northern Uttar […]

Indian Church hails Saint Teresa of Kolkata Church calendar move

Church leaders in India have welcomed the Vatican’s decision to add the feast of St. Teresa of Kolkata to the universal liturgical calendar, saying it will help Catholics across the globe emulate the nun’s sense of service to the poor.” This is a great recognition and appreciation of her work for the poorest of the […]

Catholic nun among 4 facing conversion charges in India

Police in central Indian Madhya Pradesh state filed a criminal case against a Catholic nun and three others on Feb. 16 for violating the state’s anti-conversion law. Indore city police filed the case against Holy Spirit Sister Sheela Savari Muthu and her three colleagues – two women and a man – after they organized a […]

Federal rule imposed in violence-hit Indian state

A Church leader from India’s Manipur expressed optimism after the strife-torn state in north-east region was brought under direct federal rule days after its chief minister resigned. Chief Minister N Biren Singh from the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quit on Feb. 9 after facing pressure to step down for failing to stop the continuing […]

Indian bishops slam terror attack on tourists in India’s Kashmir

No action taken against police who assaulted Catholic priests in India