The BJP-led state government wants to collect historical data from the elderly throughout the state in order to correct ‘errors’ in the state’s history books. Historians and the Church criticise the initiative for its unscientific approach and its undeclared goal of imposing the Hindutva ideology.
The two figures were near the Christ the King Church in Ramanthapur. Suspicions fall on Hindu nationalist militants.
Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents that commemorates the tragedy of the children killed by Herod with the intent of eliminating Jesus, King of the Jews. Through this feast, the Church preserves the memory and value of innocent pain lived – albeit unknowingly – in union with Christ. Nathan Andrew died when he was only 40 days old, on Christmas night. His father asked that the suffering of his son may serve “for the conversion of the world”.
Many tribals decided not to hold any other celebrations to protest government moves to take their land. The Church is also affected, as it has been accused of occupying the land of tribals despite the reality that believers and leaders are themselves tribals who are using the land for the benefit of the people.
Diphu Diocese organized a day of partying and reflection in a local prison together with local administration, the Baptist Church and Nehru Yuva Kendra.
Fr Tom Mangattuthazhe Thomas visited villages in rural areas in the eastern state of Assam to prepare for Christmas celebrations. Upon his return, he made a call for reflection on the social ills afflicting tribal people.
Beth-Beth Lehem is a home for people with mental disabilities. Residents come from the southern state of Karnataka and they have “personally experienced the story of the star that showed the way to the manger of the Nativity”.
The Jesuit priest, who heads the Prashant Centre and has already collaborated with AsiaNews in the past, receives the award in recognition of his work in favour of human rights in the country, especially in Gujarat.
Dalits in Orissa and Rajasthan brush aside centuries-old discrimination preventing them from entering Hindu places of worship in order to pray in two of the country’s most best loved Hindu temples.
Mgr Oswald Gracias, who succeeds Cardinal Dias, takes over this afternoon. In his pastoral plan focus will be on dialogue with other cultures, possible only if one’s Christian identity is upheld.
The court ruled in favour of a petition presented by a Hindu who asked for the allocation of public funds to pilgrimages of all faiths, not just the one to Mecca. Every year, Delhi allocates 50 million euros for this ritual Muslim journey.
AsiaNews interviewed Cardinal Vithayathil who yesterday presided over the ceremony in Ollur: “Here life was dedicated to prayer, a lesson for modern society taken up by achieving material successes.
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