Indian Church refuses to endorse political party in election
Assam Christians outraged by Hindu leader’s “divisive” remarks
Moral theologians address challenges in biomedical ethics in India
Persecution of Christians has worsened around the globe, according to new study
Pope to Cardinals-elect: Keep your eyes raised, your hands joined, your feet bare
Tribal Christians avoid travel fearing attack in India’s Manipur
Pope Francis’ visit to Singapore ‘has revived the faith of our people,’ cardinal says
Cardinal Dolan: Harris received ‘bad advice’ to skip Catholic charity dinner
John Lewis is no more and the world will miss him! When he died on July 17, he left a great void which will never be filled! He was one of a kind who roamed this earth, impacted on the lives of many and has left us all a rich and unforgettable legacy. He was truly a wonderful human and a great hero! Ever since he died, rich and glowing tributes have been pouring in from every corner of the world; editorials and op-eds have been written on him: all remember and highlight the many causes he espoused and championed as a civil rights leader. The Congressional Black Caucus in a statement said. “The world has lost a legend; the civil rights movement has lost an icon.” John fought against every form of discrimination and divisiveness: be it racism, casteism and attacks on the minorities in India. His convictions and stand for justice -were always based on nonviolence, peace and unity.I cherish my meetings with him; he gave me value time; he was such a warm, affable, available and unassuming person despite the power he had and the influence he could wield! He was definitely a busy person, but when I spoke, he gave me his total undivided attention, listening intently! His questions were based on what I had said; areas which needed more clarification or substantiation. Right from the word ‘go’ one felt that he trusted you; believed in what you were saying , was on the same page as you were and was determined to do all h
Rights have gone all wrong in today’s India! It is a season of discontent for millions everywhere: the pandemic COVID-19 has disrupted life and livelihoods, the routine and the ‘normal.’ People have been forced to adjust and to adapt; to become more frugal, more simple and much more. It is also been a time of immense grief, pain and suffering particularly for the poor and the marginalised; the migrant worker and the daily wager; the unemployed and the differently abled. To add insult to injury, India’s insensitive ruling regime instead of responding to the genuine cries of the people has gone all out the way to decimate human rights, destroy the democratic ethos of society and to throttle every form of dissent and protest.At this moment, high among the human rights violations in the country are brutal beating in police custody and the subsequent deaths of the father and son duo, P Jayaraj (59) and his son J Bennicks (31). They were arrested on 19 June for ‘allegedly’ keeping their mobile phone shop in the main market of Sathankulam town (Tuticorin Dt, Tamilnadu) open during a curfew imposed during the pandemic lockdown (cctv footage however, belie this). They were lodged in the Kovilpatti sub-jail. Both Jayaraj and Bennicks were terribly tortured in police custody after which they were admitted to the Kovilpatti government hospital on 22 June; the son died that very night, the father breathed his last on the morning of 23 June.The police of course, have th
A recent WhatsApp video of a priest asking the faithful to follow the government directives on places of worship has prompted me this to write this.I am not sure of the video’s authenticity. At first the priest urges the people to follow government guidelines and says he would permit them to the Church for personal prayer in strict adherence to the instructions. Later, he announces a special Mass and “offertory” to celebrate the feast of Saint Anthony. He said he would allow a limited number of people with prior permission.What draws my attention was the mention of special “offertory” of 1,000 rupees. I was confused about its intention. Is the 1,000-rupee special prayer for the spiritual solace of people who are shattered spiritually, physically, economically or to make money for the Church?It is relevant to listen St. Paul who says in 2 Cor. 2:17: “For we are not peddlers of God’s Word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God as standing in His presence.” The priest of the Lord should not be a peddler of the Word of God, but show the right path with his words and deeds.A priest friend recently told me casually that the lockdown has deprived most priests of income that used to come to them from Church collections and offerings given as tokens of love on occasions such as marriages, baptisms, funerals, blessings of houses and vehicles. On saints’ feasts, priests used to arrange special Mass and nov
I was delighted to read the Matters India report about Pope Francis calling Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, on June 3.The US bishop had joined a demonstration against racial discrimination to pray for George Floyd, an African-American killed by a police man in Minneapolis. Pope Francis wanted to congratulate Bishop on his prophetic action to express solidarity with those who were protesting.Along with a group of priests of his diocese Bishop Seitz knelt for nine minutes of silent prayer in memory of Floyd. Indeed it was a prophetic act of solidarity by a Catholic bishop.Church leaders of different denominations showed prophetic courage to criticize President Donald Trump for making statements against protesters. They also criticized him for misusing the Church for a photo session holding a Bible. President Trump doesn’t practice peace, forgiveness and sensitivity taught by the Bible. This was symbolically seen when he held the Bible upside down.Pope Francis also called Los Angeles Archbishop Jose Gomez, the president of the US bishops’ conference to encourage the prophetic stand the Church leadership has taken in that country. Archbishop Bernard Hebda of Minneapolis also communicated the good wishes and prayers of Pope to the people who suffer injustice and discrimination.All this made me think of the Church in India. In natural calamities like cyclone, earthquake and tsunami the Church is prompt in reaching out with relief to the suffering. Howev
Newspapers, TV and social media are full of stories of the plight of migrant workers stranded in various parts of India.Deaths of workers on the highways and railway tracks because of accidents and hunger have become daily news. Media also carry stories of exploitation of these workers by private truck drivers who ferry them to their home towns. Some social workers distribute food packets to them more for publicity than expressing compassion.Pressure from various quarters has forced the government to arrange trains for these workers to go home. But they have to pay for the tickets. The Congress party had offered to pay the workers’ travel expenses but the government declined it. Why didn’t the government pay for their tickets from the PM CARES fund created for managing Covid-19 crisis?All government ‘servants,’ including the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, Members of Parliament and state legislatures, Judges, and others enjoy high salary and other benefits.However, India’s 487 million workers in the unorganized sector, who build the country’s economy with their sweat and blood, take no special benefits from the government or their employers. They just get the wages. Neither the government nor the rich who employed them are least bothered paying them insurance, medical assistance or provident fund.Now when they are without work for their daily living, the employers and the government have left them to die. This is against the Indian Consti
