In the crowded lanes of Perumbavoor and the quiet shelter of Palluruthy, migrant workers from Odisha, Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Jharkhand opened up about their hardships and resilience to a visiting team from Don Bosco for Migrants (DB4M). Their accounts — from mothers, factory workers, and young men living far from home — brought into focus the human side of India’s vast migrant labour force during a two-day immersion programme in Kerala.

The Source and Destination Visit, held on November 29–30, brought together DB4M representatives from Tiruchy, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The team met government officials, NGOs, police officers, and church institutions across Vaduthala, Angamaly, Perumbavoor, and Palluruthy. The mission opened with a Eucharistic celebration in Angamaly, where Fr. Francis Bosco stressed that migrant welfare is a shared duty of the Church, civil society, and the state.

Field visits exposed several pressing concerns, including limited healthcare access, workplace injuries, wage disputes, and social risks such as child marriage and drug use. Inspector Samad of Kerala Police highlighted the importance of proper documentation and child protection, while the Rajagiri Suraksha Migrant Project drew attention to the danger of sexually transmitted infections.

A positive example emerged at the Salesian-run Migrant Shelter in Palluruthy, where around 50 workers live with dignity through a self-managed system of housing and food — a model DB4M identified as worth replicating. Visits to Kitex garment factory and St. George Church showcased both the opportunities and restrictions migrant families navigate, including mobility limits and educational challenges for children.

The Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development (CMID) provided broader insights into Kerala’s rising dependence on migrant labour. Their mobile health units, multilingual outreach, and helpline partnerships demonstrated effective strategies for migrant inclusion.

In its final assessment, DB4M called for extended future visits and outlined priorities such as enhanced pastoral support for Odia migrants, stronger Mass offerings in industrial hubs, involvement of seminarians, and collaboration with Odia priests during major festivals. The visit concluded with gratitude to CMID, SEWA, the Salesians, and the Kerala Migrant Commission, reaffirming DB4M’s commitment to accompany migrant workers whose labour sustains Kerala’s economy and whose dignity demands continued attention.

India’s Supreme Court has admitted a petition filed by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) challenging the constitutional validity of Rajasthan’s newly enacted anti-conversion law, considered one of the harshest in the country. “We are happy that the Supreme Court has accepted our petition,” said Sister Sayujya Bindhu, secretary of the CBCI legal cell. Rajasthan became the 12th Indian state to pass such a law when the assembly approved the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025, on Sept. 9.

The law imposes penalties of up to 20 years in prison and fines of one million rupees for alleged conversions involving minors, women, persons with disabilities, and members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Mass conversions, if deemed illegal, can attract life imprisonment and fines of 2.5 million rupees, with repeat offenders facing even higher penalties. It also provides for up to 14 years in jail for using marriage as a means of conversion.

Bindhu, a lawyer, said the law violates constitutional guarantees that protect an individual’s right to profess, practice, and propagate their faith. She warned that vague terms such as “allurement” and “coercion” could be exploited to target Christians and their institutions, noting that even providing education or medical care might be misinterpreted as inducement.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih admitted the petition on Dec. 8 and directed the Rajasthan government to submit its response. The case has been tagged with similar petitions challenging the law.

CBCI spokesperson Robinson Rodrigues said the legislation undermines religious freedom and has become a tool for filing false allegations of conversion. The Supreme Court is already hearing challenges to similar laws in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and other states. Enforcement of these laws has triggered numerous complaints against Christians and Muslims.

Pope Leo XIV on November 26 appointed Carmelite Father Joshy Potteckal as the auxiliary bishop of Mainz, Germany. The announcement was made simultaneously in the Vatican and in Mainz. The 48-year-old bishop-elect is a member of the Order of Carmelites, a mendicant order. He is currently the regional superior of the Carmelites and representative for the clergy of the diocese of Mainz. He was introduced by Bishop Peter Kohlgraf at a press conference at the Mainz bishop’s residence.

The episcopal consecration is scheduled for March 15, 2026 in Mainz Cathedral. As auxiliary bishop, Father Joshy will serve as episcopal vicar for religious orders and continue his work in the personnel department until a successor is appointed.

He was born on April 30, 1977, at Meenkunnam, a village in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. He was ordained a Carmelite priest on December 28, 2003, in Thrissur. He served as a chaplain in 2005 and teacher of religion at the Martinus-Schule in Mainz. He was the head of youth pastoral care for the deanery of Mainz for three years until 2008.

During 2006-2008, he also served as the parish vicar of St. Alban, St. Jakobus and Hl. Kreuz in Mainz-Hechtsheim. He was parish priest of Hirschhorn and Neckarsteinach in 2009. He served as the vice dean of Bergstrasse-Ost in 2021. The following year, he was the staff representative at the Episcopal Curia. Within the Carmelite Order, he has served as regional superior for members of the Province of Saint Thomas resident in Germany (since 2016) and prefect for formation in the Episcopal Seminary since 2024, according to Vatican News.

A new multi-lingual animation film titled MOM – Manna of the Manger will be released this Christmas in Hindi, English, and Malayalam, offering audiences a fresh and imaginative reflection on who Jesus is, what he represents as the “Bread of Life”, when and where the story unfolds, why Bethlehem is significant, and how the narrative invites viewers to contemplate divine purpose. The film explores the profound symbolism behind the name Bethlehem, meaning “House of Bread”. Jesus multiplied bread for the crowds, proclaimed himself the Bread of Life at the Last Supper, and — in what the creators suggest may be a moment of divine intent — was born in the House of Bread.

This stable becomes a sacred setting where children shape clay suns, moons, stars, and bread. Jesus joins in their play, delighting in creation. When the children ask him, “Can you turn our clay manna into real bread?”, the moment echoes the temptation in the desert: “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” The narrative invites viewers to ponder the choice before him — will the Bread of Life perform such a miracle in the House of Bread? With a concept that creatively bridges scripture and imagination, the film seeks to engage viewers of all ages through the expressive medium of animation.

MOM – Manna of the Manger is an initiative of Father Anand of Atmadarshan, Indore, and is produced by the St Peter Claver Sisters. The film is written and directed by Rajesh K Abraham, a filmmaker from Kerala, who spent months studying theology and scripture to craft this unique storyline. The release is expected to add a meaningful cinematic experience to the festive season, inviting families to encounter the Christmas story through a new lens.

On a tense May morning, villagers in Samba — a small hamlet along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan — woke up to the sound of fighter jets, mortar fire and heavy shelling. As thousands fled to safer areas, three Catholic nuns at St. Joseph Community Hospital made a brave decision: they stayed back to care for the sick and injured. St. Joseph Community Hospital, run by the Jammu-Srinagar Diocese, is the only charitable hospital for the poor in the region. The building is old and resources are limited, but for local villagers it is a lifeline. Sr. Annie Manickathan, the senior nun, said, “If we leave, who will be with them? God sent us here.” She has served in different mission areas for decades and believes this work is her calling.

The hospital has six departments and survives through “simple living and strong faith.” Many patients are migrants, widows and daily-wage workers. “Some don’t even have five rupees,” Sr. Annie said. “For them we give medicines free.” Sr. Lilly Thomas, who joined soon after the war, came from New Delhi’s Holy Family Hospital. Though her family feared for her safety, she said she felt called to serve in this border district. Sr. Anita Minj has been in Samba for eight years and earlier worked with local youth through skill development programs. During the four-day conflict in May, the nuns treated people injured in shelling, cared for mothers and children, and kept the hospital open even when power lines were damaged and bombs fell nearby. Many nights they stayed awake praying for safety.

In mostly-Hindu Samba, the sisters say they share God’s love not through words but through service. Villagers — Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs — come to them simply as “sisters.” For the people of this border village, their courage and compassion have become a sign of hope.

India’s Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of a Christian army officer who was dismissed for refusing to take part in a regimental religious ceremony at a Sikh temple. The court called his behaviour “gross indiscipline.” On Nov. 25, the top court upheld a Delhi High Court ruling that confirmed the dismissal of Samuel Kamalesan, a Protestant officer who declined to enter the inner prayer area of a gurdwara during a weekly parade. The High Court had said he placed his religious beliefs above a lawful military order. Chief Justice Surya Kant questioned the officer’s conduct, saying such behaviour was unacceptable in the armed forces. The bench, also including Justice Joymalya Bagchi, refused to overturn the earlier judgment.

Kamalesan had joined the army as a lieutenant and served as a troop leader in a Sikh-majority squadron. In March 2021, four years after joining, he was dismissed without pension or service benefits. As a troop leader, he was expected to lead his unit into the gurdwara’s sanctum sanctorum during weekly prayers. He refused, saying his Christian faith did not permit him to take part in rituals of another religion. His lawyer argued that it was only a single incident and requested his reinstatement. He also said the officer regularly attended multi-faith prayer spaces common in army stations. However, this regiment had only a gurdwara and a Hindu temple. A Catholic lawyer commented that faith and military discipline are separate issues, and no one should be forced to take part in a religious ritual they do not believe in. He also questioned why a secular army requires participation in religious ceremonies. Regimental religious parades have been part of army tradition for many years.

Extending its greetings to all citizens on the occasion of Constitution Day, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) encouraged every section of the population to uphold the foundational principles of Justice, Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. These values are essential for the well-being of the democratic Republic and call for renewed commitment and careful preservation, the statement said. The CBCI stated that the Indian Constitution, as envisioned by its framers, stands as a beacon of justice, equality, and fraternity. It noted that the Constitution reflects the shared aspirations of a diverse and pluralistic society, ensuring that every citizen enjoys dignity, rights, and opportunities irrespective of religion, caste, or creed.

Constitutional guarantees provided to all sections of society, including religious minorities and other socially vulnerable groups, should be valued and effectively implemented, the CBCI emphasized. The CBCI affirmed that a credible electoral process is at the heart of any democracy. It noted that concerns raised by different sections of the population regarding electoral processes should be addressed. The CBCI called upon the government to take necessary steps to ensure the independence, functional neutrality, and efficacy of democratic institutions. Reaffirming its commitment to uphold the spirit of the Constitution, the CBCI stated that it would continue working for the upliftment of the marginalized, fostering interfaith dialogue, and contributing to the nation’s progress. The CBCI encouraged all citizens to rededicate themselves to the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. It called for collective efforts to build a more inclusive, compassionate, and progressive India under the guidance of the Constitution.

The Commission for Laity organised a two-day Regional Training of Trainers (ToT) for lay leaders of the Northern Region at Maithri Bhavan, the Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC), Jammu, under the Diocese of Jammu–Srinagar. The training, held from 7 to 8 November, revolved around the theme “Leadership in a Synodal Church.”

A total of 40 lay leaders from four dioceses—Archdiocese of Delhi, Jammu–Srinagar, Shimla–Chandigarh, and Jalandhar—participated in the programme. The event was graced by Dr. Sahaya Thatheus Thomas, Chairman of the Laity Commission, Northern Region, and Dr. Ivan Pereira, Bishop of Jammu–Srinagar. Both prelates, along with other regional leaders, lit the ceremonial lamp to inaugurate the training.

In their addresses, both bishops underscored the vital role of lay leaders in fostering a truly Synodal Church. The sessions were led by Fr. Anthony Fernandes, National Executive Secretary for Laity, and Ms. Seanna Rodrigues, a professional trainer. Their inputs centred on pastoral and people-oriented leadership, exploring topics such as Mindfulness and Self-Values for Synodal Leadership, Servant Leadership, Creative Collaboration in Ministry, and Jesus’ Model of Leadership. The training encouraged active participation through group discussions and diocesan-level planning.

Adding a touch of camaraderie, cultural activities and team-building games enlivened the two-day programme, fostering fellowship and collaboration among the participants. The training concluded with diocesan teams presenting concrete action plans aligned with the National Pastoral Plan 2033, focusing on strengthening pastoral leadership at parish, deanery, and diocesan levels. The Regional ToT proved to be an enriching and empowering experience, equipping lay leaders to serve more effectively in the spirit of synodality.

Bishop Niranjan Sualsingh of Sambalpur in Odisha has urged his faithful to join in prayer for a diocesan priest arrested following a motorcycle accident. The Bishop’s November 11 circular asked Catholics and people of goodwill “to keep Father Paul Adapoor in their prayers, that he may be strengthened by faith and delivered from his present trials.”

Expressing deep concern, the Bishop wrote, “It is with great sadness that I inform you about an unfortunate incident involving Fr. Paul Adapoor, the Parish Priest of Meghpal Parish.” On November 9 at around 2:00 p.m., Fr. Paul was returning from Sambalpur to Meghpal when his vehicle was involved in an accident near Hiro village, under the jurisdiction of Jujumura Police Station. A motorcyclist, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, collided with Fr. Paul’s vehicle and died at the scene.

Following the accident, a crowd gathered at the scene. In the ensuing tension, Fr. Paul was physically assaulted by some members of the mob. The police intervened promptly, rescued him, and took him to Jujumura Police Station for his safety and to complete the necessary legal formalities. A case has been registered under Sections BNS 281 and 106/1, but regrettably, Section 105 has also been falsely added. Due to this additional charge, Fr. Paul was denied bail and was sent to Sambalpur Jail on November 10.

“We are in close contact with the concerned authorities and are taking all necessary legal steps, including applying for bail at the District Court. We remain confident that truth and justice will prevail and that Fr. Paul will be released soon,” the Bishop assured.

Pope Leo XIV spoke of the beatification this week of Mother Eliswa Vakayil, a 19th-century Indian religious and founder of the Third Order of the Teresian Discalced Carmelites, highlighting her “courageous commitment to the emancipation of the poorest girls.” “The witness of Mother Eliswa Vakayil,” the pope affirmed during his greetings in Italian at the end of his general audience on Nov. 12, “is a source of inspiration for all who work in the Church and in society for the dignity of women.”

The beatification ceremony on Nov. 8 was held in the square in front of the Basilica-Shrine of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadam, Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala, and was presided over by Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Archbishop of Penang, Malaysia.

Before thousands of faithful and men and women religious from across the country, the cardinal emphasized that the new blessed represents “a beacon of hope” for all “consecrated women, for all mothers, and for all those who suffer in silence and yet choose to love,” according to Vatican News.

During the homily at the beatification, the cardinal emphasized the “inclusive vision” of Mother Eliswa Vakayil, with which she “was ahead of her time and is a true expression of synodality in action: walking together in communion.” The new blessed, he added, “shows the way” to the Church on its synodal journey “listening, discerning, and walking together.” 

The foundation of her “unwavering faith,” he affirmed, “lies in her spirituality, vision, and mission, all rooted in her identity as a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ through baptism, the very heart of synodality.” With the official recognition of her holiness, the Church proposes Mother Eliswa Vakayil  as a model of evangelical life embodied in service to the poor, in the promotion of women, and in the building of fraternal communities.