Nirmala Carvalho

A bill would ban the killing of cows, a holy animal for Hindus. Hindu extremist groups are in favour of the move, but not the members of other religions. At a ceremony in honour of a Hindu deity, buffaloes, sheep and chicken are killed in a ritual sacrifice.

Indian bishops meet to discuss “Youth for Peace and Harmony”. About 47 per cent of the Indian population is under 20, and is under threat according to Card Gracias. For the bishop of Guwahati, affluence destroys Christian values.

The President of the Global Council of Indian Christians, Sajan K George, complains: "No legal aid, no more money, not even a house for victims of religious violence. The government must intervene, before it's too late. "

The State Administration and district contribute to the reconstruction of churches and businesses. An interfaith summit organised to clam the spirits after the recent clashes. Catholic bishop: we condemn the violence, but young people responded to a "political plan" that hurt our faith.

Violence sparked by an image of Jesus drinking beer and smoking. The faithful protest, demanding the closure of shops and businesses. Hindu fundamentalist groups wage urban warfare. Bishop of Jalandhar condemns the "provocative actions", but calls on the faithful to peace and forgiveness.

Judges say investigators need not obtain prior consent of State governments before launching probes. For human rights advocates, the ruling will protect minorities like those in Orissa and Gujarat.

In the attack in Pune on 13 February, 9 people died, including an Italian and an Iranian. Among the 60 wounded, there are 12 foreigners. Indian politicians are divided and the BJP is trying to block dialogue with Pakistan. Bishop Dabre, bishop of the city, stresses that the "victim" of terrorism is, foremost, coexistence of different religions and cultures and this requires the cooperation between people of different faiths and traditions.

These days the Christian organization Open Doors has classified the small Himalayan kingdom 12th out of 50 countries where religious freedom is violated. Despite the marriage of the king’s sister with the nephew of a Jesuit priest and the guarantee of religious freedom around 6 thousand Christians are still forbidden to pray in public. Former member of the government: "There is still a fear that Christianity will divide society and create tension."

A German missionary working in a leper colony in Kolkata for the past 50 years talks about her work. For her abortion and euthanasia are the worst threats to human society because they try to uproot God’s Image from mankind.

More than 5,000 faithful attend the commemoration ceremony led by Cardinal Gracias. In his address, the prelate stressed the tasks Christians must fulfil and the importance of the family.

A Christian of Indian origin, O'Connor spent seven months in the prisons of the Kingdom on the false accusations of proselytism. He stresses that the "unlimited powers" of the religious police perpetrate crimes and violence. He prays every day for the country, the rulers and administrators.

At two o'clock this morning a group of vandals ransacked the church of St. Matthias Malavalli in the district of Mandya. Since the beginning of this is the sixth attack in the state of Karnataka. Attackers desecrated a crucifix, the statues destroyed and stole the hosts in the tabernacle. Once again it is feared the hand of Hindu extremists. The parish priest of the Church invites the faithful to forgive the vandals.