Nirmala Carvalho

The attack took place two days ago near Nashik, a famous Hindu place of pilgrimage. The local bishop said the episode was part of an anti-Christian campaign under way in India that seeks to label the Church’s social ministry as proselytism. The Salesian provincial superior has said the incident will not dampen commitment to the poor and marginalized.

Mgr Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, stresses the importance of the rescript with which the Pope approves the celebration of the Tridentine mass. It adds a great tradition to the Church’s heritage and meets the faithful’s needs.

Husband leaves wife and because the family has too many girls, the last one is buried alive in a field, but a farmer finds her driving his tractor. Female infanticide is a widespread and socially accepted practice in the more backward areas of Andhra Pradesh.

In a public statement, senior Congress leader and former minister Ajay Singh accuses the Bharatiya Janata Party that since it came into power attacks by extremists against Christians and their institutions have risen as part of its saffronisation policy.

The archbishop of Trichur accuses the Kerala state government of planning to starve and take over Christian schools in violation of the constitution. A ‘day of protest’ is called for today against the plan to shift subsidy burden onto minorities.

Doctors refuse to come near HIV-positive woman. Only her husband helps her through hours of labour to give birth to their child; he also cuts umbilical cord. Problem is widespread in hospitals, schools and villages. Bishop of Bangalore says Church is against discrimination, defends the right of HIV-positive patients to healthcare.

Huge crowds gather in Karnataka to protest attack against Father Pereira and other Christians. Mgr Fernandes says he was overwhelmed by the solidarity of the population, irrespective of caste or faith. The state must however act against the culprits who too often get away with it.

Public officials and human rights groups want the 1958 law repealed. It gives India’s armed forces unrestrained special powers. Adopted to fight rebels, the law has often led to unaccounted actions. Human rights activists denounce the resulting violence and killing.

The president of India’s Bishops’ Conference comments on Pratibha Patil candidacy for president with AsiaNews. She has been in politics for years and has long opposed Hindu extremism. She would be the first women President.

In answer to violence against Christians which in recent months has hit an increasing number of Indian states, Bangalore’s Global Council of Indian Christians has organised a demonstration in support of human rights for June 22.

The prelate has convoked a meeting with representatives of the Neocathecuminal Way this week in Ranchi. He speaks to AsiaNews about his desire to succeed in spreading a new evangelization in Jharkhand and all India, restoring hope, love and unity to the Church, and overcoming ritualism.

In an interview with AsiaNews the executive secretary of the National Commission for Justice, Peace and Development explains how India’s economic boom is often taking place on the backs of the poor, who often lose the little they have to the benefit of big corporations. The Church fights for their rights. Gandhi’s example is remembered.