National

Jesuit activist jailed, massive protests over arrest continue

The arrest and imprisonment of an 83-year-old Jesuit priest in a two-year-old case have led to massive protests by people’s organizations, activists, intellectuals and concerned citizens from across India. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), a federal body to counter terror activities in the country, on October 8 arrested Father Stanislaus Lourduswamy from his residence at […]

No one responsible for mosque demolition as Hindutva triumphs

“In every democratic country, politicians’ freedom and power are defined by the constitution and, of course, their ability to be credible. After a special court ordered the acquittal of hardline Hindu leaders from a conspiracy charge of bringing down a 16th-century mosque in 1992, most opposition leaders went silent or were guarded in their reactions.” […]

Christian women theologians condemn increasing Dalit rapes in India

A group Christian women theologians in India has expre-ssed shock and pain at the increasing incidents of sexual assaults on young Dalit women in the country. “We strongly condemn these acts of violence and call upon the state machinery to ensure a free and fair probe into these crimes so that the guilty are brought […]

Hindus plan anti-conversion campaign across India

Hindu groups in India are planning to launch a nationwide campaign to curb religious conversion, which they claim is a form of violence and a crime. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its affiliate Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) say religious conversion is rampant in tribal-dominated areas and they plan to bring those converted back to the […]

Christians attacked in India for rejecting idol worship

Christian families in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh had their houses vandalized after refusing to follow the local Sarna religion. A mob attacked houses in five villages in Kondagaon district of Bastar division on Sept. 22-23, PTI news agency reported. “There was an incident of clashes between tribal groups and tribal Christians as the […]

India to tighten foreign funding, social workers upset

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has introduced a bill in India’s parliament to tighten the rules of overseas funding in a move that could adversely affect thou-sands of social workers including Catholic organizations. The government led by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sept. 20 proposed certain amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act […]

Indian nun’s missionary experience in Algeria

As a missionary, I had always expressed my willingness for the mission “Ad Extra” (towards the outside). I had almost given up the hope when on my 50th birthday the Lord gifted me the mission of Algeria, the largest Muslim country in North Africa, surrounded by the Mediterranean coast. Our God is a God of […]

Church group joins protest against India’s new farm laws

Indian farmers are bracing for another major showdown with the federal government after accusing its new farm laws of ignoring their interests and promoting multinational firms. A church-backed body has joined farmers’ unions in asking the government to withdraw two laws that parliament passed on Sept. 20. The government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s […]

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica