Nirmala Carvalho

The Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity reaffirms the commitment of the order founded by Mother Theresa to defend life from the moment of conception. She recalls that Mother Teresa denounced to the entire world that “no-one, no government, no mother has the right to take life”. To halt abortions: a centre to welcome single mothers and foster adoptions

Lenin Raghavarshi, winner of the2007 Gwangju prize for human rights, defends the right to life of the embryo, against selective abortion. A leading voice against birth control methods to restrict population growth, he denounces the misrepresentation that overpopulation causes poverty, it merely masks the underlying problem of equal distribution of the worlds resources.

The executive secretary of the Church’s Commission on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes argues that the upper castes are using a religious pretext to advance their political goals, namely keeping the marginalised in ignorance and poverty so as to continue to exploit them.

The chairman of the Indian Bishops’ Conference visits an area in the state of Orissa where Hindu fundamentalists went on a rampage in late December. Local authorities tried however to prevent him from talking to victims. During his meeting with Prime Minister Singh he slammed the attacks. Two weeks after the event, the National Commission on Minorities sends a delegation to look at the tormented district of Kandhamal.

The five major Tibetan organisation in exile have organised a “return to Tibet” march for the upcoming Olympics involving hundreds of people. Protest marches are also being planned for April 17, when the Olympic torch arrives in Mumbai.

The Bishops Conference announce 8 days of prayer following the Christmas attacks. Numerous fugitives still seek refuge in the forests living without food and shelter. A memorandum from the National Commission for Human Rights sent to the State Governor lists the loss and damage done to Christians and demands action against police who stood by and watched.

Here is a commentary on Benedict XVI’s message for World Day of Peace on the family from a couple of Indian parents, who went from having their first child born with disabilities to finding Christ and the path of mission, skirting the ways of hedonism.

Sisters and their priest have to flee into the forest. Curfew remains in place. VHP celebrates the return to Hinduism of 187 people. A rally against the violence is set for today in New Delhi.

The cardinal archbishop of Mumbai tells AsiaNews of his sadness and concern over the events in Orissa, but recalls the salvation that springs from hope, and emphasises the unique character of the Indian population, who have nothing to do with the extremist fringes.

Hindu nationalist organisation Viśva Hindū Parişad tries to stop Christians from celebrating Christmas. Their long list of violent acts includes attacks against the police.

In Shanti Bavan the Missionaries of Charity live among young people who are ill, often without any hope of recovery. The testimony of a missionary father who describes how sharing and love grows stronger than desperation and death. Following the example of Mother Teresa.

Stiffer fines and longer jail sentences (up to seven years) for those involved in the practice. In 20 years an estimated ten million girls were aborted with the result that India’s population has more males than females. Cardinal Gracias says the Church is committed to providing health care and opposed to violence against women.