Archbishop Seeks Local Help As Indian Govt Blocks Foreign Aid
Voters Abstain From Polls In India’s Christian-majority State
Pope Francis Will Be In Southeast Asia And Oceania From 2 To 13 September
Over Taxation Of Kenyans: A Matter Of Concern, Says The Kenya Conference Of Catholic Bishops
Cardinal Parolin On Pope Francis’ Pontificate: No Reversals On Reforms
Holy See Urges Solidarity And Action For Ethiopia’s Humanitarian Crisis
Earth Day: Pope Francis Urges Responsibility For Our Common Home
Pope: Red Cross’ humanitarian work shows that fraternity is possible
As India prepares to welcome its newest saint, a controversy over his name and its relationship with the Hindu caste system has come to the fore.
A Vatican decree announced a miracle had been approved for Blessed Devasahayam, clearing the way for his canonization.
However, when Devasahayam was declared a Blessed in 2012, the name used was Devasahayam Pillai.
The discrepancy is due to protests that Devasahayam allegedly never used Pillai – which signified his caste – after his conversion from Hinduism in 1745.
After his conversion, Devasahayam suffered severe harassment and persecution – including beatings and imprisonment – until he was finally shot and killed in 1752. His body is now at Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in the Diocese of Kottar.
Leave a Comment