National

Separate religion and government: Priest

Religion and government are now identified with each other in India, a situation that prevailed in Europe before the separation of Church and State, Father George Pattery, head of Jesuits in South Asia, said. He stressed the need for a “mature, secular society” that would help India “separate religion from politics and religion from government”. […]

Christian federation opposes government siding with any religion

No government of the country can identify itself in favour of any religion, said Prabhakar Tirkey, president of the Rashtriya Isai Mahasangh (National Christian Federation) in Ranchi. “India is a secular state, and the country has no religion,” he said. He was speaking at the end of the two-day national executive meeting with leaders’ conference. […]

Church body condemns Bhagwat’s Bible reference to mob lynching

The National Council of Churches in India has issued a statement condemning the reference to the Bible by Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, in order to justify the term “mob lynching.” In a statement on October 10, 2019, the NCCI said Bhagwat had misquoted the Bible. The NCCI stated: “We are shocked that […]

Justice mission claimed 56 Jesuits in 50 years

As many as 56 Jesuits have lost their lives since their congregation made a commitment to promote a “faith that does justice” and foster reconciliation in society 50 years ago, says an official of the Society of Jesus. “If we want to stand for justice, we have to pay the price. We have sacrificed many […]

Indian bishop says Church needs ‘to clean our own house’ on Dalit rights

Despite guidelines supporting Dalit Christians – formerly known as “untouchable” – not every church leader is working in their defense, according to one Indian bishop. “We still have to clean up our own house,” Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak told Crux. “In some places, sadly, the caste system is still there, in spite of us being […]

Canonization process of Arunachal Martyrs gains momentum

The Canonization process of the French Missionaries, Fathers Nicolas Michael Krick and Augustin-Etienne Bourry, who were martyred in Arunachal Pradesh 165 years ago, gained momentum with the constitution and inauguration of the Diocesan Board of Inquiry at St Peter’s Church, Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh. In the presence of Priests, Women Religious and a large number […]

Nagaland to become happiest state in 11 years

Nagaland’s Peace Channel plans to transform the Christian majority state in north eastern India into the happiest and most peaceful place in the country by 2030. This was stated by the director of Peace Channel Father C.P. Anto in his keynote address at the 12th Peace Knit Fest 2019 celebration held at Don Bosco Youth […]

Staines’ murder case suspect arrested after 20 years

A man wanted in the killing of Australian missionary Graham Stuart Staines has been arrested 20 years and nine months later. The sleuths of Central Bureau of Investigation nabbed Buddhadev Nayak on September 19 from Nischitapur village under Thakurmunda police station in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica