Nirmala Carvalho

From five different places on a penitential walk through the night in the footsteps of St Joseph Vaz. Card. Felipe Neri Ferrao: "A gesture to put in first place God, who gave us life, and to live selflessly for the good of others".

The Assam Christian Forum issued a statement, saying that the bill violates religious freedom. It is based on "misconceptions” about healing practices, the role of "faith and prayer" in illness, and fails to respect religious "diversity". Christian leaders also express concerns about "threats" to educational establishments and calls for the "removal of Christian symbols”.

Hindu nationalists launch another campaign against a Catholic school. An English teacher suspended to reduce tensions at St Gerosa School after she was accused of making insulting remarks about Hindus and the new temple in Ayodhya. In fact, she was simply explaining to her class a few words from a poem by the great Indian author.

In the State of Tripura a group wants to impose a Hindu celebration at the Don Bosco School. In Assam they use the clothes of Christian religious as a pretext to cry out for conversions. Bishop Moolachira: "The government protect us". The bishop of Agartala: 'We serve everyone selflessly. And in our classes the poor have found dignity'.

The initiative started in 1958 by the congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor. A mission inspired by Jeanne Jugan and has so far welcomed more than 300 people aged 65 and over. Today, to coincide with World Day of the Sick, a mass with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and benediction.

The extreme gesture of a girl who left a note accusing a nun has aroused the wrath of Hindu nationalists who cry "incitement to suicide". The diocese: she had simply summoned her parents to the school. Bishop Bara of Ambikapur: "We are close to the grief of the family. But we also ask for justice for Sr Mercy".

Hindu nationalists targeted Fr Dominic Pinto, head of a diocesan pastoral centre, for allowing a meeting of Protestants and Khrist Bhakta; the latter are Hindus who look sympathetically to the teachings of Jesus. For Bishop Mathias, Christians are again victims of a gross abuse; he hopes “that justice and good sense will prevail.”

Catholic charity loses FCRA registration, which is essential to receive foreign funds. Particularly affected will be women and the most marginalised groups helped without religious distinction. “Stifling NGOs affects the poor the most,” says Fr Devasagaya Raj.

Archbishop Paglia made the announcement in Bengaluru at the Plenary Assembly of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (Latin rite). Meanwhile, Tsai Ing-wen, the outgoing president of Taiwan (a leading semiconductor manufacturer) wrote to Pope Francis, saying that her country is “working intelligently to develop AI technology” while “always keep[ing] humanity foremost in mind.”

The software was officially launched at the Plenary Assembly of Latin rite bishops currently underway in Bengaluru. During the meeting, the suffering in Manipur and the challenge of solidarity were mentioned. “There should not be any room for disharmony or rivalry,” said Card Tagle.

In Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh, the celebrations for the new Ram Mandir in Ayodhya provided an opportunity for further intimidation of Christians. The police refused to accept complaints, citing "pressure from above". The local diocese asks for protection.

The Ram Mandir, the new temple symbol of India in the place disputed with Muslims, has been officially consecrated. For Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “our Lord Ram has finally arrived,” marking “the beginning of a new era”. Bishop Mathias hopes that the “Ram Rajya (Reign of Rama) that Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of for our beloved country” will be realised. Today also marks 25 years since Rev Staines and his two sons were burnt alive in one of the most brutal acts of religious violence in the country's recent history.