Nirmala Carvalho

The Madras High Court issues a controversial ruling that strips a woman of her rights as a member of a historically marginalised group because she married a Christian man while remaining Hindu. For Fr Santhanam, a Jesuit and a lawyer, this is a serious violation of the rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution. It is paradoxical that a principle recognised in Canon Law for mixed couples is disregarded by a court in the 21st century.

MP John Brittas calls for compensation for relatives of Covid deaths in light of new Civil Registration System (CRS) data. “Thousands of claimants excluded.” There is a “disturbing discrepancy” between the government’s official tally and the actual number of deaths. Gujarat’s death toll is 33 times higher. The government is estimated to have saved around €1 billion.

Son of a prominent activist and politician, he took office after being sworn in before President Droupadi Murmu. He will serve a six-month term, until 23 November. Fr Raj: the appointment is a “sign” of the “hard work and perseverance” through which Dalits today can aspire to the highest positions.

The Indian military claims that Operation Sindoor against Pakistan was “focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.” Pakistan’s response killed students at a Catholic school. Sadly, “two students lost their lives, and their parents were severely injured,” lamented Bishop Ivan Pereira of Jammu (India). For his part, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore (India), called on the faithful to “pray specially for the leaders of our country to pursue attempts for peace”.

In a town of just 8,000 inhabitants in the state of Goa lie the roots of both the Indian Filipe Neri Ferrão and the Pakistani Joseph Coutts, who from this afternoon are participating as electors in the selection of the new pontiff. A sign of the Church of the peripheries, but also of the vitality of a community founded four centuries ago by Portuguese Franciscans. And in these hours, it is also a symbol of the thirst for peace between the two countries now plunged into a new crisis over Kashmir.

Born Isaac Thottunkal, he chose the name of Clement of Alexandria as bishop. Major Archbishop since 2007, created cardinal by Benedict XVI, he is the first cardinal of this Eastern rite Church that has its seat in Trivandrum in Kerala. In his ministry he has closely followed the communities of the diaspora, but has also promoted numerous social works in India. He was president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.

Born into a mixed family with a Catholic father and a Hindu mother, he experienced firsthand and from an early age the difficulties and marginalisation outcasts face. He was able to study thanks to men of the Church who strengthened his faith and allowed him to discover his vocation. Hyderabad is a cosmopolitan, multicultural place with different languages. Proclaiming the Gospel is a “challenge”.

The archbishop of Goa, 72, has chaired the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences since the start of the year. He has been very attentive to the life of families whom he constantly encouraged in his ministry. As head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India-Latin Rite, he promoted a broad consultation in the dioceses, which led to a document with 16 priorities, including Dalits and digital technologies.

Tension remains high between Delhi and Islamabad after the attack in Kashmir that left 26 dead. Airspace closed, agreement on rivers revoked, Hindu nationalists press for armed retaliation. The vice-president of the Bishops' Conference: “May our efforts for peace continue.”

The archbishop emeritus of Bombay talks about the pontiff who picked him to be the face of Asia in the Council of Cardinals. He participated in all the meetings, inviting the cardinals “to discuss, to differ and to argue.” He was a person of “deep faith” who “preached the Gospel undiluted.” “He would say 'why be afraid of death?' 'The Lord needs me here, the Lord wants me here and the moment the Lord does not want me he will take me away’.”

In the predominantly tribal district of Sukma, families were forced out of their homes and dumped in a forest. Only the intervention of the police allowed them to return, but locals first prevented access. Archbishop Thakur laments ongoing persecution, stressing that the Church continues to serve without discrimination despite unfair accusations.

The police denied permission for the Palm Sunday initiative that had been held for years, gathering thousands of faithful, for reasons of ‘public order’. The Catholic association protests in the metropolis where BJP nationalists have recently returned to government: ‘Other communities and political groups are allowed processions and gatherings: the authorities must guarantee respect for religious freedom and equality’.