Biju Veticad

Father and son had been arrested for violating anti-Covid-19 regulations. Victims’ family: Taken to hospital after three days of beatings and torture. Tamil Nadu authorities suspend four officers. Suspicions of a community feud. Card. Gracias: Unacceptable violence. Social ethics and the judicial system under scrutiny.

It is among the oldest churches in India, with 5 million faithful, 34 dioceses, 8500 priests, 32 religious. Bishops and priests are suffering heavy attacks from inside and outside the Church. Dead who are reported as suicides; corruption charges against Card. Alencherry. The strength of this Church, its schools and hospitals, make it a target for criticism. The need for reform.

So far, the country has reported more than 490,000 coronavirus cases. After restrictions were lifted on 31 May, the number rose significantly. In southern India, returning Indian expats are the cause of upsurge. Too many people resumed regular activities without upholding health and safety regulations. Gatherings in Catholic churches are also a problem.

About 25 million migrant workers have left the cities for their rural villages, where all cannot find work. The pandemic could create 354 million new poor people. The Church should organise people so that they can participate in decision-making processes.

Emigration has led to a shortage of health workers in India. At least 700 thousand Indian nurses work abroad. Long hours without rest breaks and lack of security. In Maharashtra and Delhi, staff treat Covid-19 patients without protective masks. In recent months, 30 doctors and six nurses have died from coronavirus.

The slum is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire was shot in its alleyways. It has reported less than 2,100 cases. Mumbai as a whole has had more than 60,000 cases. Infections have been contained by systematic testing and alley-level quarantine.

The Supreme Court of India speaks out about the situation, slamming government officials for the way they are handling the pandemic. For the Court, the situation in the capital is "horrific" with some bodies thrown in the trash. For Indian priest, the authorities are unable to manage the crisis. Church organisations and NGOS are playing a crucial role.

The archbishop of Changanacherry, Msgr. Joseph Peruthottam, comments on global outcry over the news of the elephant killed for eating a pineapple stuffed with firecrackers. Human lives killed by wild animals should also provoke concern. But above all, we should be raising our voices over the human life killed through abortion. In India there are 15 million abortions a year. A new law allows the termination of pregnancy until the 20th week.

Abandoned in the cities without work, money or food, migrants have walked home to their villages over thousands of kilometres, violating the lockdown. They could have been sentenced to one year in prison. According to SEEDS, a migrant advocacy NGO, the law must be made for people and not people for the law.

6.1% of 4.3 million students are deprived of any type of access to information technology. However, Covid-19 has pushed the government and several NGOs to help the less fortunate to have greater access to high-tech studies. Several organizations have taken the initiative to distribute laptops and tablets.

From today, Christian communities can reopen sacred buildings for the faithful. But there are strict conditions. In addition to sanitation, entry for people over the age of 65 is prohibited; the use of holy water and holy oils is prohibited; communion forbidden. Meanwhile, infections and deaths are growing in the country.

Michael's Coffee House tells the story of living with HIV. The priest won an award at the 34th Kolkata Film Festival. He collaborates with several Indian directors. On set he offers spiritual advice to actors.