Controversy rages in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu over the deci-sion to grant scholarships to Dalit students converts to Christianity as part of an education programme in favour of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), who have traditionally been excluded under India’s complex caste system.
Ilamurugu Muthu, president of the Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam (Ambedkar People Movement, AMI), recently presented a petition to Tamil Nadu’s Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Minister N Kayalvizhi Selvaraj asking that the state government not extend the benefits granted to Dalits to other backward cla-sses (OBC). AMI is a political movement based in Tamil Na-du, promoting Dalit education, rights, and empowerment. Dalits were once referred to as “untouchables.”
“The state government is implementing the post-matric scholarship scheme for Scheduled Caste students but has included Dalit Christian converts in the scholarship scheme. 20.01 per cent of funds is allotted for Dalit students and it is not meant for OBCs. Spending funds allotted for Dalits on OBCs is illegal,” Ilamurugu told.
Sr. Nirmalini: Time for women in the Church to hange style of authority
“We must reduce the emphasis on the idea of authority. It is fundamentally a service to be carried out with humility.”
As the first session of the Synodal Assembly in Rome draws to a close on Sunday, Sr Maria Nirmalini, Indian religious, superior general of the Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel, expresses her opinion on one of its most debated topics – the role of women in the Church.
Nirmalini is also president of the Conference of the Religious of India and participates in the Synod among the members designated by the Union of Superiors General.
“It is not a journey that will end here, the Synod is a process that will continue,” – adds Sr. Nirmalini. ”We are looking for leadership that is inclusive of all women, young lay people as well as consecrated women: this is the leadership we are looking at.”
In India the superior of the apostolic Carmel leads the over 130 thousand local religious women, in a context in which the reflection on the role of women and the recognition of their equal dignity has to deal with a patriarchal system still deeply rooted in society and also in Church itself.
“I took on this role,” she said, “when the Indian Church was experiencing various challenges from within and without, such as sexual exploitation, gender inequality, an unjust wage system, clericalism. I don’t pretend that the situation has changed now. But we have put in place clear plans and systems to address these challenges appropriately.”
On the issue of harassment, she states without hesitation that “silent suffering no longer makes sense. We need to develop platforms for mutual sharing and psychological well-being.”
On the phase that will open at the end of this first session of the Synod, you said that by returning to India you will continue to work so that the synod process involves “all members of the communities”.
Goa cardinal calls for day of prayer for peace
Taking a cue from Pope Francis, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, archbishop of Goa and Daman, has invited the priests, Religious and lay people in the western Indian archdiocese to observe October 27 as a day of prayer, penance and fasting for peace.
In his circular from Rome, the cardinal said, “Dearly beloved, In a world marred by conflict and suffering, the ongoing strife in Israel and Palestine stands as a stark reminder of the urgent need for peace in our world. We are witnessing a crisis that is claiming countless lives and causing immeasurable pain. Our Holy Father Francis is constantly voicing his concern for the humanitarian situation in Palestine and Israel, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons.”
Earlier on October 18, speaking at his General Audience Pope Francis implored: “Lay down weapons and heed the cries for peace from the poor, the people, and the innocent children. War solves no problems. It only sows death and destruction and increases hatred. War erases the future!”
And the pontiff called on all Christians to pray and fast for peace October 27. He also encouraged people of other Christian denominations, other religions and all those who advocate for peace to participate as they see fit. The Pope announced that the central event would be an hour of prayer at 6 pm in St. Peter’s Square.
Church condemns explosions during prayer meeting
The Syro-Malabar Church has expressed shock and pain at a series of explosions during a prayer meeting of Jehovah’s meeting that on October 29 killed two and wounded more than 50 people in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
This incident “is highly condemnable” as it has caused pain and shock, says the Kerala-based Church’s Media Commission. It has demanded that the culprits be brought to justice through an impartial, honest and efficient investigation by federal and state agencies.
Three blasts occurred at the Christian group’s convention center in Kalamassery near Kochi, Kerala’s commercial capital.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the incident was serious and said a probe was underway.
Videos filmed shortly after the explosion and posted online showed flames inside the building and rescuers helping people. They also showed multiple fires and people in fear.
A man named Dominic Martin has claimed responsibility for the blasts and surrendered before police in Thrissur, some 85 km north of Kochi.
Martin, who was a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, confessed to the crime and his motivation for the same on Facebook Live, which he posted before surrendering to the police.
Church welcomes relaxation of hijab ban in Indian state
Catholic officials have welcomed the southern Indian Karnataka state relaxing a ban on traditional hijab (head scarf) by allowing Muslim women to wear it while appearing for government recruitment exams.
“There was no need for any such ban and we are happy that the present government has taken steps to relax it,” said Father Faustine Lucas Lobo, spokesperson of Karnataka Catholic Bishops’ Council.
The decision was taken on Oct. 22 at a review meeting attended by Karnataka state’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who goes by one name, and Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar, who are from the ruling Congress party.
Sudhakar told the media that students will “be allowed to write examinations wearing the hijab,” referring to the competitive exams for jobs conducted by the state government.
The ban was imposed in February 2022 when the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was leading the state government. The party, however, lost to the Congress party in the May state elections.
The ban order was issued after an altercation between hijab-wearing Muslim students and a mob of hardline Hindu nationalists who objected to “the religious practice inside academic institutions” in January 2022.
The pro-Hindu BJP government’s order prohibited wearing clothes “that disturb equality, integrity and public order in schools and colleges.”
Five Muslim students challenged the constitutionality of the ban in court.
India’s Syro-Malabar synod allows civil marriage before Church wedding
The Eastern rite Syro-Malabar Church in India has conditionally allowed Catholic couples to have civil marriage before solemnizing it in the Church.
“This is not for everyone. It is meant for those who live abroad or who want to move abroad with their prospective life partner,” said Father Abraham Kavilpurayidathil, the Church’s chancellor told on Oct. 20.
Catholics, “who for serious reasons such as obtaining a family visa to foreign countries find it necessary to register their marriages under relevant civil law” before sacramental marriage can apply seeking permission for such registration, said a decree issued by Cardinal Geroge Alencherry, the major archbishop and head of the Church.
Indian laws allow a couple to move abroad as husband and wife only if their marriage is registered with the civil authorities. Couples who get married in the Church later register with civil authorities to start the process of moving abroad.
Telangana Christians demand legislative seats, scholarships from political parties
Separate parliamentary and legislative seats, land for cemeteries and scholarships are among 20 demands Christian groups in Telangana have put forward to political parties in the southern Indian state.
The Telangana State Federation of Churches, Telangana Council of Churches and Synod of Telangana, representing the entire Christian community in the state, had met in the state capital of Hyderabad early October and decided to ask the parties to include their demands in their manifestos as the state gets ready for the November 30 assembly elections.
The demands are important enough to be added in the manifestos of political parties, said Montfort Brother Varghese Theckanath, who was in a delegation that met Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal in New Delhi on October 12 to hand over the Telangana Christians declarations for political parties.
“We are presenting this to all political leaders,” the brother told Matters India October 14.
Father Raju Alex, deputy secretary of Telugu Catholic Bishops’ Council, told the Deccan Chronicle daily that the Christian community has always lacked the government’s encouragement and support. “The Christian community has a good chunk of voters in Telangana. We will support the parties which stand for us,” he added.
Christians in Telangana want parties to promise to pass legislation for the sub plan for their minority community. The plan should not be allocated in proportion to the population, but cover education, healthcare, employment, skill development, welfare schemes and burial.
The demands include allotting 5 percent of the weaker section’s housing to eligible Christians, and providing them 600,000 rupees as housing subsidies for those who own plots.
Blessed Rani Maria: Movie on nun martyr
Blessed Rani Maria stands out for many other reasons as well. She is on the road to sainthood today, which makes her life all the more endearing, memorable, and inspiring. She was born on January 29, 1954, nine months after I was born. She was given the baptismal name Mariam, after Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus.
She chose to be a nun of her own volition. Her family would have been happier if she had studied, managed to get a job, got married, and had children and grandchildren. She wanted to be a nun and follow in the footsteps of Saint Teresa of Kolkata, who wanted every nun to ‘be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.’
Blessed Maria wanted to work in His vineyard, and that is how she reached Uttar Pradesh, where she earned a name as a passionate missionary who would run when she was asked to walk. Her real life started when she reached the diocese of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, and she got involved in the people’s lives. She knew that there is no greater service than giving oneself to His cause.
The world was virtually taken by surprise when in 1985, Pope John Paul II visited the prison to meet Mehmet Ali Agca, who had tried to assassinate him two years earlier. He was not as close to his victim as Godse in Delhi was. He could only injure and not kill the Pope.
It was the first time in the history of the church that a Pope went to the prison, shook hands with his would-be assassin, pardoned him, and prayed for him.
Vatican approves beatification process for 35 Kandhamal martyrs
The Vatican has given a go-ahead to start the beatification process for 35 people who were martyred for their faith during the 2008 anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal in eastern India.
A message from Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli to Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar says the Vatican Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has granted “no objection” to initiate the process of beatification for the Servant of God Kanteeswar Digal and companions, “martyrs of Kandhamal.”
The letter shared with the media on October 15 was dated October 18.
It says the nuncio is pleased to forward to the archbishop an October 2 letter from the dicastery.
The dicastery was responding to Archbishop Barwa’s May 31 letter requesting the Vatican to consider beatification for the 35.
Archbishop Barwa’s proposal was approved and recommended to the Vatican by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India during its plenary assembly held January 24-30 at Bengaluru.
Rajendra Digal, son of the Servant of God, thanked the Vatican for the permission to start the process of sainthood of his father and others. “It is a proud moment for me that my father died for the faith in Christ. He is the true witness to the whole world of firm faith in God,” he told Matters India. The 35 martyrs are 24 men and 11 women. They are:
Christian group files complaint against Indian godman
A Christian organization in a northern Indian state has filed a police complaint against a Hindu godman, accusing him of hurting religious sentiments by making baseless statements on religious conversion. Jatinder Gaurav of the Global Christian Action Committee said they complained against Dhirendra Krishna Shastri to the police in Amritsar, the holy city for Sikh people in Punjab state, on Oct. 23.
Gaurav alleged Shastri targeted the Christian community and used a derogatory word for them. He demanded that the police register a case and take legal action against the godman.Bottom of Form
Shastri, the head priest of Bageshwar Dham, a pilgrimage site in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is considered a rabble-rouser.
On a three-day visit to Punjab, he said Hindus were being lured to convert but the “evil forces” would not be allowed to do it.
Christian groups took offense to a particular word he used for them and sought an apology.
Shastri refused and said: “I have come to know that some people have a problem with my visit. They are objecting to why I used the word… I used it… If you have any problem, stop offending innocent Hindus. We will not offend you.”
The godman then appealed to the Punjab government to make an anti-conversion law in the state “because innocent people are being exploited.”
“Foreign powers should not be allowed to enter Hindu temples and Sikh gurudwaras. They should not be allowed to sway people away from any religion,” he added.
Gaurav said the godman is trying to disrupt the peace in Punjab by targeting the Christian community wherever he goes.
“The police assured us that appropriate legal action would be taken on our complaint. We will intensify our protest if no action is taken,” he added.
Father Mathew Kokkandam, the vicar general of Jalandhar diocese, said there is no truth in Shastri’s claims on religious conversions.