National

Polling goes ahead on Maundy Thursday

Voters in 13 Indian states will go to polling stations on Maundy Thursday in parliamentary elections after the High Court in Tamil Nadu state dismissed a petition from church officials to reschedule the date. The federal Election Commission has scheduled polling in 97 constituencies of 13 states on April 18 when Christians observe Maundy Thursday […]

Salaries of nuns, priests in schools taxable: Madras HC

The Madras High Court has held that salaries and grants-in-aid to nuns and priests are liable to attract tax deducted at source. “In our opinion, the provisions of Income-Tax law are dry, plain and simple, a political and a religious in character,” the court said in a recent order. The bench, comprising Justices Vineet Kothari […]

Bishops mourn death of “Christians’ friend” Parrikar

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has expressed “profound sorrow” at the death of Manohar Parrikar, the Chief Minister of Goa and former federal Minister for Defence. Parrikar, 63 died from pancreatic cancer on March 17. “We can truly say that Goa and India have lost a great leader and the Christian community has […]

Church communicators urged to end silence, be bold

Indian Church’s top communicators were urged to boldly present Church’s perspective on issues without running away from uncomfortable realities. Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) secretary general Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas and other experts suggested strategies for Church communicators to “become effective” at a March 11-15 national meeting. Some 45 people, mostly regional directors of communication, […]

Religious nationalism, unemployment, top poll issues

Rising unemployment and nationalism on religious lines are the two key issues bothering citizens ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, revealed a survey conducted by Lokniti-CSDS and the Azim Premji University. “20% of those surveyed said unemployment was the biggest issue facing India, and 15% said the top government priority should be a remedy to […]

Caritas India’s Lenten campaign against malnutrition

“Nutrition: our right,” is the theme of the Lenten campaign of Caritas India for 2019. Caritas India, the charitable arm of the Catholic Church of India, has launched a Lenten campaign against hunger by creating an awareness among people regarding solidarity, food security, medical care and a dignified life for all citizens. The theme of […]

No Church Act in Kerala, Chief Minister assures bishops

For the second time in a week, Kerala’s ruling CPI-M said that the government has no plans to implement the Church Act, with now Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan making the assurance to a group of bishops from various Christian denominations who met him. The proposed Act aims to put in place a Devasom-like structure of […]

Lent is gift of Joy, says visiting Jesuit Superior General

Jesuit Superior General Father Arturo Sosa, who is on a visit to India, stressed the urgency of reconciliation with God, humanity and nature during his Ash Wednesday Mass in Pune. “We need urgently to reconcile ourselves with God, fellow human beings and with nature,” Father Sosa said on March 6 while celebrating the Eucharist on […]

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica