Father Nithiya believes the whole world should embrace the message of peace promoted by Mahatma Gandhi. The need to look to the poor and needy, because only with the development of the least can a just and tolerant society be achieved.
Today the Lucknow court decides who owns the land of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya. It is symbol of conflict between the Hindu majority and Muslim minority. Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash speaks to AsiaNews about the complex situation in Gujarat.
The archbishop of Guhawati speaks to AsiaNews about his trip to Mongolia, which he visited to know more about its young Church. Although small, the latter has great potential.
During Sunday service Hindu extremists stormed the church, beat the Pastor, insulted and threatened those present. The police then arrested the pastor, on charges of having converted people. Anti-Christian violence a daily occurrence in the region.
The athletes’ village is not yet ready. Stadiums and other venues are still unfinished. Security remains a challenge. Many countries are delaying the departure of their delegations; some are even pondering whether to come at all. Catholics should welcome participants with India’s traditional warmth, the bishop of New Delhi says.
Trepidation grows as the ruling on the Babri mosque demolition in Ayodhya approaches. A rising leader in the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party tries to reassure, saying that shared progress, not religious issues, is the goal.
On 24 September, an Indian court will rule on the destruction of the Ayodhya mosque in Uttar Pradesh and the Hindu-Muslim clashes that followed. The president of the Bishops’ Conference urges the faithful to act as bridge builders for dialogue and tolerance.
Protests against insulting the Qur’an continue in India. In predominantly Muslim areas, a mob burns a church and a school. At least 11 people, including demonstrators and a police agent, are killed. The authorities impose a curfew. Christians condemn the violence.
Interviewed by AsiaNews, Mgr. Cornelius Leo, Archbishop of Bhopal, condemns the "burn the Koran" campaign launched by American pastor Terry Jones. The prelate urges Christians and Muslims to isolate extremists who offend other faiths: "Having respect for religion means respecting the human being."
A union at Mahatma University wants Catholic-run Newman College to re-hire professor who lost his job because he “offended” the sentiments of the population with words deemed offensive to Muhammad. For this, unknown attackers chopped off his hand.
Over 105 thousand welcomed but also confined in over 115 in refugee camps. Now that the civil war is over, their return home is difficult and slow. AsiaNews talks to an expert. From the church the hope of a new coexistence.
His sister, Sister Mary Stella, tells AsiaNews: "We are comforted by the love of God through Mother Teresa, and look to the future with optimism. My brother has forgiven those who cut his hand off and who fired him, he will persevere in dialogue between Muslims and Christians. "
Subscribe to the newsletter to receive verified news, analysis and insights from Asian countries every week.
Subscribeto the newsletter
