Seven Christians were hospitalised after being attacked by a mob incited by Hindu nationalists as they were returning home from church in their village. Threats and intimidation have been on the rise since the BJP came to power in the local government in Bhubaneswar. Bishop Aplinar Senapati told AsiaNews: ‘People are being persecuted for their faith.’
Major Archbishop Thattil and Vicar Pamplany have decided that, in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, it will be sufficient to celebrate at least one Sunday Eucharistic liturgy according to the unified rite decided by the Synod, thus leaving the possibility that other celebrations can be conducted following the older rite. The community had been split for years over the issue, with frequent protests. New priests will no longer be required to celebrate only with the new rite.
The High Court in Delhi has upheld the dismissal of Lieutenant Samuel Kamalesan, ruling that obedience to orders takes precedence over personal religious beliefs in the military. The soldier, in the name of his Christian faith, respectfully remained outside Hindu and Sikh temples during ceremonies. Jesuit lawyer Fr. Santhanam tells AsiaNews: ‘A ruling that further weakens India's secularism.’
The two women belonged to the ethnic groups clashing in Imphal and were crew members on the flight that crashed in Ahmedabad. In the great tragedy, a sign of unity beyond conflict
Tragedy in Gujarat: an Air India flight crashed in a residential area. Among the victims are several doctors from a hostel involved in the explosion of the aircraft. In addition to many Indians, there were also British, Portuguese and Canadian passengers on board. Archbishop Macwan tells AsiaNews: ‘We are in shock at the news. We pray for the families of the victims and for the injured.’
Two serious incidents have occurred in recent days in rural areas of Jharkhand and Orissa. Several priests were forced to seek hospital treatment after being beaten, forced to sing Hindu hymns and robbed. The secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference, Msgr. Aind: ‘These are not simple thefts. It is a way of persecuting and preventing pastoral activities.’
A particularly brutal case of rape ending in the death of the victim raises serious questions about the conditions of disadvantaged groups. Ambedkar's grandson: ‘The big parties say nothing because she did not belong to a higher caste.’ Sr. Dorothy Fernandes to AsiaNews: ‘The increase in gang rape is a sign of a sick society.’
A celebration presided over by the apostolic nuncio in India has confirmed the supernatural nature of the appearance of the face of Christ on a host 12 years ago. A sign for the Syro-Malabar Church, which has long been wounded by the liturgical dispute. Abp. Girelli: ‘May the Eucharist be a sign of communion with God and of unity among the faithful, not of discord.’
The nun was accompanying some girls to Chhatisgarh for study purposes in preparation for religious life. They were attacked by a group of Bajrang Dal militants despite all being Christians since birth. Stopped by the railway police, they were freed thanks to the intervention of three lawyers. Mgr Sual Singh tells AsiaNews: ‘Freedom of movement guaranteed by the constitution has been violated.’
Despite legislation, abortion based on sex determination remains common. Dr Carvalho to AsiaNews: “It transcends caste; prevalent even among the wealthy and educated”. Former nurse arrested in Bavla: carried out illegal abortions in a guesthouse. Authorities report links with hospitals and ultrasound centres.
The prelate personally visited the areas most affected by the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Shelling has "killed many people" and "destroyed hundreds of houses, shops, vehicles and other infrastructure". The situation now seems to be improving but the fear of fresh attacks remains.
A Yanadi tribal family forced into bonded labour at a duck farm. The mother, desperate for news of her nine-year-old son held as "collateral", was fed a string of lies by the employer. Bishop Thakur of the Indian Bishops’ Commission for Migrants: "Slavery, though officially illegal, remains a deep stain on the conscience of a country that presents itself as an economic powerhouse".
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