Nirmala Carvalho

As voters in the southern Indian state go to the polls, the local Church is struggling to carry out its outreach programmes. The issue dates back to 2022, following protests over port construction by the Adani group.

In the state shaken by ethnic conflict for a year now, even the vote for the federal parliament has become an occasion for confrontation with assaults and accusations of fraud against the local government led by the BJP. Extraordinary re-opening of the polls today in 11 polling stations. In tribal-inhabited areas, many polling stations remained completely deserted in protest.

The archbishop of Goa has called on Catholics to give up the weekly visit to the Marian shrine in Velankanni on 6 May to avoid missing voting set the following day in this part of India. On candidates, he stressed the importance of voting for “persons with secular credentials, who are truly committed to work for the good of all the people”.

The Diocese of Mananthavady, in the southern state of Kerala, released a statement addressed to all parties regarding issues affecting Wayanad constituency, like the lack of infrastructure, schools, and hospitals. Gandhi spoke about the same things during a rally but also attacked the ruling party’s ideology.

In a statement, the National United Christian Forum calls on Christians to vote in the upcoming general election (19 April-1 June). Expressing a preference is not only "a symbol" but also a "powerful tool for growth and good governance" to build a “society that is inclusive and which uplifts all the members.”

The Archbishop of Hyderabad looks at the media reaction to the declaration released by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on human dignity. The media are “focused on gender theory, sex change, surrogacy etc., but” people who “struggle with poverty, exploitation, discrimination, lack of access to primary healthcare” cannot leave others indifferent.

The Bishops' Conference sets guidelines for the thousands of Church-run educational establishments, with suggestions on how to promote respect for all faiths, such as reciting the Preamble of the country’s constitution every morning. The goal is to rediscover “justice, liberty, equality and fraternity” as “the essence of India’s core values.”

From India, the testimony of a woman who recently received Baptism together with her husband and son: "Jesus came into my life on a dark night in Africa. Then for years, He led me, guided me, taught me and brought me back to His fold every time I strayed. His way is the best way".

The sisters founded by Fr James Alberione celebrated their centenary and 70 years of presence in India. Card. Gracias: 'An occasion to question ourselves again on the proclamation of the Gospel in this Easter time'. The encounter between liturgy and Indian tradition in the experience of the Divya Kala Kendra.

The official charitable organisation of the Catholic Church is also in the crosshairs of an 'anti-conversion' campaign promoted by an organisation linked to fundamentalists. A complaint was sent to the Ministry of the Interior. Fr D'Souza: "Unfounded accusations against a work that serves everyone. This only fuels prejudice and fear'.

In the Indian state shaken by ethnic violence, the state government had announced that this Sunday, 31 March, would be a working day, using as a pretext the fact that it is the last day of the fiscal year. After protests by Christians (who are over 40 per cent of the local population), state authorities backtracked.

The church, symbol of the row over the liturgy, was closed for 486 days due to violence that broke out when Archbishop Andrew Thazhath tried to enforce compliance with the Synod's decision on the "uniform liturgy”. For now, to avoid tensions, the Holy Qurbana will not be celebrated. “The reopening during Holy Week is a positive step,” said a Syro-Malabar Church spokesman.