Nirmala Carvalho

For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), this is what Modi must do. As he travels to the United States, India's nationalist prime minister must protect the weaker members of society from Hindu radicals. Some members of the Christian Federation of Indian-Americans (FIACONA) have had their visa applications turned down because they want justice for the victims of the Kandhamal pogroms.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) wants to ban young Muslims from taking part in the garba, a traditional dance performed during a festival dedicated to the goddess Durga. Surprisingly, a Muslim politician agrees. The VHP is right: no to "social mingling," he says. However, many Hindus and Muslims disagree. For one of them, "Comments that cause tensions between communities should be ignored".

The archbishop of Mumbai spoke at the 'Meeting of Diverse Spiritual Traditions in India,' organised by the Dalai Lama. At the event, which was held over the weekend in New Delhi, the Catholic prelate mentioned Pope Francis' visit to Italy's Redipuglia military shrine. For the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, "India is an illustrious example [. . .] religious harmony [. . .] over 1,000 years".

Msgr. Bernard Moras has handed over a memorandum to the Governor of Karnataka, to be presented to the President of the country. "Our people need to be aware of the harsh reality of the suffering of their brothers and sisters in the Middle East."

Mgr Felix Machado, from India, expressed "joy and gratitude" for the canonisation of the Apostle of Sri Lanka. His sanctification will be "a great gift for the Synod on the family."

The vice-chancellor of Vikram University is “guilty” of speaking out in favour of Kashmiri students (and Muslims) affected by the floods. The police have not yet arrested anyone. The victim is hospitalized for trauma.

Complaint lodged by victim’s wife. The latter, however, said that he became Muslim by choice. Christian leader warns: "If forced conversions are perpetrated by Hindu radicals they are considered 'a homecoming."

The people involved had chosen Christianity two years ago. The ceremony of "reconversion" was organized by two extremist groups, which in the Indian state promotes the so-called "homecoming programs “. Christian leader: "Groups prey on simplicity of the people and indulge in a propaganda of hatred against Christianity."

The Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC), an umbrella organisations for Christians denominations in the two states, has been renamed the Federation of Telugu Churches (FTC). The new name, which reflects the fact that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana share the same language, is meant to prevent further divisions.

In Mumbai, more than 50,000 people were expected for the celebration of the Nativity of the Virgin. The city's archbishop, Card Oswald Gracias, noted that on this date the Church in India also celebrates the Day of Girl Child. Too often, girls are "defenceless, their existence threatened by female foeticide and infanticide." He also called for a prayer for "the children of Mary who suffer intense atrocities in Iraq and Syria."

The new auxiliary bishop speaks to AsiaNews about the pastoral challenges that await him. The problem of "extremist forces, a threat not only for Christians, but for the union, integrity and secularism of the entire nation".

The first house of the Missionaries of Charity in Egypt bears this name. Fr Bimal Kerketta SJ, an Indian priest who runs a school in Minya, speaks about the difficulties the sisters face, their relations with Muslims, and vocations among Egyptian women.