Nirmala Carvalho

On the eve of the celebrations for the Blessed, AsiaNews interviewed Mgr Henry D’Souza, archbishop emeritus of Calcutta, who spent 35 years by the nun’s side. Since 1997, he has been the postulator for her cause of canonisation.

The archbishop of Mumbai brings together the city’s Christian and Muslim leaders to condemn a proposal by a US clergyman to commemorate 9/11 by burning the Qur‘an.

Archbishop Cheenath and the president of Orissa Minority Forum demand sentences for perpetrators, compensation for the victims and peace initiatives. The movement creates a youth wing to address community needs. To date there are still 3500 houses to rebuild.

When Catholics in Magalawada (Karnataka) decided not to pray to Hindu deities, local Hindus began boycotting them. In fact, the action was motivated by local Hindu leaders’ fear of losing power. For bishop of Karwar, the boycott was caused by Catholics helping the poor and the marginalised without discrimination.

According to the Bishop of Baruipur, who first met the Blessed in 1968 and continued to work with her until her death, the religious "is a perfect example of how Christian mission should be in the twenty-first century."

The day is an ecumenical initiative to remember those who died for their faith. Many Christians have been killed in recent years: Sister Rani, Fathers Thomas and Aruldass, Graham Staines. Their legacy should be preserved for future generations.

The body of Biskesan Pradhan was found this morning by police near Tiangia (Orissa), a village hit by anti-Christian pogrom of 2008. Former leader of Hindu extremist organization, the man had converted to Christianity three years ago and attended the Baptist Church. Orissa Christians denounce continuing cases of forced conversions by Hindu extremists.

The formula of the founder of the Missionaries of Charity explained to AsiaNews by Sister Jenvie, who for over 20 years worked in the orphanage of Ahmedabad. Protagonist of a miracle, her mother said: "We work well, so much so that today the doctors advise to those seeking an abortion to come to us first."

This was the first house opened by the Blessed of Calcutta. It welcomes the terminally ill (HIV / AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis) and dying. The smell of death does not take away the joy. Today five sisters and some volunteers work there, including Hindus. There is also the room used by Mother Teresa, venerated as a shrine.

A Missionary of Charity since 1974 Sister Joanna D'Souza spent 15 years with the Blessed. The Mother wanted to open a house of order in China, but the government prevented it. The mission: "We do not plan anything, we go where God leads us, even when we do not understand or through times of darkness. We leave God free to do what he wants with us ."

Samdhong Rinpoche reveals the importance of the Blessed of Calcutta for Tibetan Buddhism. "For us, the Mother is the incarnation of Maha Karuna (immeasurable compassion). For her, no one was unreachable. The Dalai Lama had the deepest admiration and respect for Mother. "

Anonymous letters are sent to local Sikhs, calling on them to embrace the fight for Kashmir. For Ali Ashgar Engineer, an Indian Muslim, Pakistani terrorists are behind the missives. For Predhuman Joseph Dhar, a Kashmiri convert to Catholicism, the issue is religious. Extremists want to islamise the Kashmir.