Nirmala Carvalho

In Bastar, tribal converts to Christianity continue to be attacked. Kosa Kawasi was one of them, killed by an uncle and a cousin. This kind of incidents shows the level of discrimination against people who embrace Christianity in rural villages. “Christian tribals live in fear and insecurity even among their own families,” a local told AsiaNews.

In his message, the prelate urges voters to go to the polls because “This is a very important moment" for the country, choosing a "clean" candidate who knows how to make India "one large family”. He also asks parishes to take part in a "special novena" and recite the rosary during the Marian month.

The 38-year-old member of the Congregation of the Holy Cross graduated from college in Mumbai before embracing the religious life. The new priest told AsiaNews: “My vocation and mission as a priest are to provide all the Sacraments in the Indian Sign Language to all deaf Catholics in India” as well as “support God calling” them to the religious life.

A year ago, violence broke out between ethnic Meitei and Kuki, tearing apart the northeastern state, with at least 220 deaths. In a situation that remains tense and painful, Archbishop Linus Neli called for three days of fasting and prayer. “[W]e know only too well the present scenario of ethnic segregation,” but we “pray for the day when people of all ethnicities and religious communities can live together”. To this end, we urge “positive action from the State Government and other authorities”.

The Supreme Court in New Delhi has given the green light 'exceptionally' to the termination of the pregnancy of a 14-year-old rape victim. Dr. Carvalho: 'The trauma and violence suffered by the girl is undeniable, but the fact remains that the most defenceless life is killed'.

Fr Paul Thekkanath, vicar of Puthukkad, filed a complaint over a video by the ruling National Democratic Alliance. Supporters of Suresh Gopi used portions of a speech by the clergyman to suggest that he was backing their candidate. Christian voters are an important electorate in the southern Indian state.

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.