National

Removal of Christian hymn from India’s Republic Day ‘hurtful,’ archbishop says

Christian leaders in India have lamented the dropping of the hymn “Abide With Me” from the annual celebrations marking Republic Day. The song is traditionally played during the Beating Retreat that takes place on Jan. 29, three days after Republic Day, which is observed Jan. 26. The Beating Retreat is a special performance by military […]

Inequality kills,’ Oxfam report reminds India

The poor became poorer while the rich became richer in India during 2021, says a survey by Oxfam International. Indian billionaires increased their wealth by 39 percent in 2021 and are getting richer at a much faster pace, but the poor saw their annual income drop by 53 percent and are still struggling to earn […]

Reinstate survivor nun immediately: Christian women movement

The Delhi chapter of the Indian Christian Women’s Movement (ICWM) has demanded immediate reinstatement of the rape survivor nun in her congregation. The movement, representing women from various Christian denominations across the country, on January 22 met Archbishop Anil J Couto of Delhi to present him a statement to pass on to Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop […]

Nun rape case: ICWM’s open letter to Indian Churches

The Indian Christian Women Movement, an ecumenical group, has issued an open letter addressed to the leaders of various Churchesin the country. We, as women of the Chur-ches, waited for the verdict impa-tiently, we were so sure that the accused will be indicted. In our estimation, all evidence pointed to the guilt of Franco Mulakkal. […]

Nun arrested after hostel girl dies by suicide in Tamil Nadu

A Catholic nun was arrested in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu after a 17-year-old girl died by suicide. The girl took poison January 9 at her hostel at Michaelpatti in Thanjavur district, and died 10 days later. Sister Sahaya Mary, the 62-year-old hostel warden, was arrested under the Juvenile Act apart from charges […]

Nun rape case verdict evokes sympathy, support for victim

Support and sympathy for a Catholic nun continue to pour in even a week after a court in Kerala dismissed her case against a bishop. Additional District and Sessions Court Judge G. Gopakumar on January 14 acquitted Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar in the historic nun rape case, saying the prosecution had failed to prove […]

Restoration of Teresa nuns’ FCRA license welcomed

Christians in India on January 8 expressed relief and joy over the federal government decision to restore the Missionaries of Charity’s license to receive overseas funds. The “most welcome” news, says Sister Dorothy Fernandes, national secretary of the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace, an advocacy group for Catholic religious, responding to the official […]

Missionaries of Charity ration food after funding blow

Since Christmas, the Missionaries of Charity have been strictly rationing the food and daily use items for their regular 600 beneficiaries at their motherhouse and Shishu Bhavan, a children’s orphanage, in Kolkata. On Jan. 2, the breakfast of tea, bread and eggs was cut short by an hour. “As long as you did it to […]

Eviction-facing Indian Catholics to fight Muslim charity’s claims

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica