Nirmala Carvalho

Francis’s decision to choose George Koovakkad, 51, his close aide in organising papal journeys, and not to the new major Archbishop Thattil, means that in a few months this young priest will be the only cardinal elector of this Church of the Eastern rite, which has been deeply divided in recent years by a row over the liturgy, a wound that is still open.

Subhash Velingkar, a former local leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is behind the request. This comes a month before the start of the ten-year exhibition of the saint's remains. Protests have followed. Fr Savio Fernandes, executive secretary of the Council for Social Justice and Peace, has called for social harmony. Several local politicians took legal action on the grounds that Velingkar’s remarks are offensive to religious sentiments.

Since September, the secondary school, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, has been entrusted to the foundation linked to the Indian tycoon. The sisters explain the decision by emphasising the different values and aims compared to a group whose priority is ‘commercial interests’. For this reason they ask that the inscription ‘Mount Carmel’ be removed from the façade.

Jacinta Kerketta turned down the prestigious Room to Read because it was co-sponsored by a US agency while the US government supports Israel's war in Gaza (and Lebanon). Last year she did the same with another award in protest against the abuse of Adivasis in Manipur. For Indian priest, hers is a “bold step”.

The platform was launched by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India-Latin rite on the eve of World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Migrants can register to be welcomed and helped by host communities. Migrants bring wealth to local parishes, as was visible last Sunday in Mumbai during the Karam festival, celebrated by over 800 Catholic migrants at St Stephen's Church.

In a letter, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath denounces the misappropriation of property owned by Christian fishing families in Ernakulam district. After intense debate, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, tabled in early August, was forwarded to a joint parliamentary committee. Muslims, however, fear control by the central government.

Led by Archbishop Oswald Gracias, the initiative at Holy Name High School in Colaba is linked to the Prime Minister Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign to honour mothers and promote care for the environment. For Card Gracias, it is important to “encourage our youth and everybody else also to be conscious of the need to care for creation”.

They are accused of promising miraculous cures for diseases, exploiting superstitions widespread among Dalits and the poor. The events allegedly took place in the house of Pastor Achhe Lal, in the village of Pakhrauli. A local source: it was a normal Sunday liturgy. Fr Anand Mathew of Varanasi: ‘Arrests are an almost daily occurrence. Wrong if Catholics on Protestants say: it is only their problem'.

At a public commemoration, the governor attacked the educational work carried out under British rule, claiming that it sought to “destroy India’s identity". In its reply, the local Bishops' Conference described the governor’s remarks as a “gross distortion of history” and a “divisive rhetoric” that undermines India’s unity.

Some 115 schoolbooks and other textbooks are available to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE). The tomes were officially unveiled by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (Latin rite). For Cardinal Ferrão, “Education is a primary mission of the Church in India.”

The initiative in response to the latest case of the killing of a baby girl. It was reported by the child's grandfather, who was suspicious of the explanation for the death given by his daughter. Catholic doctor applauds initiative: ‘urgent’ to promote ‘value and dignity’ of women from conception.

The Archbishop of Mumbai, Asia's representative in the Council of Cardinals, called to lead the commission wanted by Pope Francis to address the issue of relations between the papal representatives and the local Churches, one of the topics that emerged from the synod consultation. The group will present its conclusions by June 2025.