Fr Shanthi Chacko Puthussery, a former missionary in Papua New Guinea who is now in the US, returned to visit his elderly and sick parents in Kerala where he saw firsthand the state’s worst natural disaster in a hundred years.
The end of August and the beginning of September sees a peak in suicides. The first day of September is the deadliest of the year: almost three times the average. "Futoko" are the kids who refuse to go back to school out of fear. The problem is widespread. For Fr Villa, listening is the most important thing, but establishing a bond of trust is the most difficult. Kids are deeply wounded by bullying.
The big cities tempt Christians: infidelity, cohabitation with Muslims, poverty, drugs. For a Dhaka Catholic, priests should visit families more often.
The community finds strength and inspiration in the teachings of the Church and the recent visit of Pope Francis to the country has given new impetus to the work of evangelisation. Religious persecution follows Kachins in Yangon. Fighting "has destroyed the hopes and dreams of young people in the northern state of Shan”.
Police arrested Wael Saad, a former monk, for the murder, and Faltaous, a 33-year-old monk, as an accessory. The latter attempted suicide and is currently in hospital. For a spokesman of the Catholic Church, the suspect has long been "a source of trouble" in his old monastery. The affair tops social media. Christians and Muslims are more united.
The victim, Vicky Masih, worked as a courier at the Lahore High Court. He leaves his wife and three young children. His brother: "The police are conniving with the murderers, members of rich criminal families".