The Global Council of Indian Christians appealed to the Chief Minister of the State of Orissa over Christians fears of an ongoing series of serial murders against Christians. The girl's father name’s possible murderer, so far without success.
As women are deemed a burden, India’s sex imbalance reaches its highest level since independence: 914 girls per 1,000 boys. The law bans ultrasound screenings to determine foetus sex, but it is easily circumvented. “Gender prejudice is a deeply rooted social evil.”
Lack of development is behind the result that gives the Trinamool Congress of Mamata Banerjee, minister of Railways, an historic victory. In Kerala, the left also loses votes, as the United Democratic Front closes in on a majority.
Maoists killed Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in August 2008, this according to the findings of a police probe that led to charges filed against 14 members of an ultra-leftist group. The assassination, which Hindu radicals blamed on Christians, unleashed a wave of violence that killed at least 100 Christians and left tens of thousands homeless, with hundreds of churches vandalised or destroyed.
Out of 30 people charged, only 22 have been arrested. Of these, 17 have been released on bail. For Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar archbishop, this is “a heartbreak for those who suffered” and “the situation now appears discouraging.”
Monastery under police siege, no-one allowed enter or leave 300 monks deported, those remaining forced to submit to "patriotic re-education." Exiled Tibetans in India protest against the siege and demand action by the international community.
A dharma (a sit-in with fast) is undertaken as Catholic leaders in Bhubaneshwar demand a nation-wide investigation into the violence carried out by Hindu radicals. “Wounds are still deep and scars still present,” Bishop Barwa said, and “the process of complete healing will begin when justice is done.”
A procession, a Mass, a prayer vigil and then a gospel concert was how the young people of Mount Caramel Youth Movement welcomed the proclamation of the blessed pope. The "Jesus Fest" was held on 30 April and 1st May.
Sharadamma was elected unanimously. She is the 45th mayor of the city, the 5th woman. Her promise is to "renew Bangalore, without changing its identity." Only a year ago, she was a homemaker.
Pope John Paul II promulgated "Ecclesia in Asia", a basic document for the inculturation of the Christian faith in the great continent. Father Mascarenhas: "He wanted a real inculturation of the faith, genuine evangelization and genuine interfaith dialogue full of meaning."
Among the baptized, there is a young man, Navid, the son of a Sunni Muslim and a Hindu woman from a Brahmin family. In a moment of great despair, he experienced a kind of inner revelation: "At that moment I accepted Christ and my life has completely changed."
On the eve of the beatification of John Paul II, we present testaments to the late Pope’s legacy in in Asia. Archbishop Henry D'Souza, former Archbishop of Calcutta and Sister Glenda, superior of the Nirmal Hriday in Calcutta speak of his visit to India in 1986. The fruits of living a "new solidarity" with the Hindus.
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