Nirmala Carvalho

Periyanayagi Maatha parish in Konankuppam includes a shrine dedicated to Mary built by an Italian missionary. Widows and marginalised mothers are employed at the site; nearby, nuns take care of children with speech and hearing impairment.

As Asia’s representative, the 78-year-old archbishop of Bombay (Mumbai) is one of two members of the first council appointed by the pontiff when it was founded in 2013. Speaking to AsiaNews, he said he was “reappointed for continuity”. He also stressed the importance for today’s Church to see “the bigger Churches help the smaller Churches” around the world.

In an open letter, the signatories, including former Foreign Minister Sujatha Singh, urge the prime minister to move against the wave of intolerance by Hindu extremists. A few days ago, a stand that distributed Bibles at the World Book Fair in Delhi was attacked. “All violence can be stopped immediately with just a word from the top leaders of the BJP”.

Opened in the Archdiocese of Pondicherry-Cuddalore in the Church of Our Lady of Periyanayagi, where Our Lady is invoked for the birth of children. Rector Fr. Zackarias: "The Church must be the first to take care of women and set an example to Indian civil society".

Upon learning of the matter, the local archdiocese sent a message to the Election Commission of Karnataka, the BJP-led southern state where elections are scheduled in May. Out of over 9,000 names, at least 8,000 have disappeared in constituencies where mostly minorities vote. For spokesman Kanthraj, this is clear political tampering.

Peaceful demonstration in a symbolic place in the capital to draw attention to the increase in hostile acts by Hindu nationalists. In 2022 alone, 598 incidents were recorded, almost two a day. A memorandum was sent to President Murmu with a request to set up a National Commission to deal with the phenomenon.

An exhibition in India on the Croatian Jesuit who died in 1988 after living for 50 years among the poor in West Bengal and whose cause for beatification is underway. Figure associated with Mother Teresa for his commitment to the least, the little ones and widows.

The BJP-ruled municipality proposes to tear down the place of worship, which dates back to the early times of Portuguese rule in order to widen a sports facility. The city says it will act only if it obtains the consent of the faithful. The local Catholic community is strongly opposed. People of all faiths are praying for consolation and solace in times of trouble and distress.

India’s highest court ruled in a case involving a Muslim man attacked for his religion in Uttar Pradesh in which police failed to act. On Sunday, at a gathering of Hindutva groups at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, a Hindu cleric called for the killing of Christians and Muslims. Fr Mathew wonders whether right-wing governments will listen.

The testimony of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, a missionary congregation founded in Asia that has been ministering since 2012 among war victims in the African country that is preparing to welcome the pontiff. Peace initiatives promoted among the people by the women religious. Sr. Vijili Dali: "People are waiting for reconciliation from the pope. A very difficult challenge, but we believe that God will save His people."

A stele with 105 names in Kolanaju parish commemorates 105 Christians killed for their faith in the 2008 pogrom. One of them was Fr Bernard Digal. “I remember his love and affection for people,” said his brother. In the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, one of the victims of violence by Hindu extremists is one of five new priests.

A group of tribals from a Jesuit school were attacked at night by a gang armed with sticks while travelling on a train. A priest targeted after celebrating customary Mass in a village. In both cases false accusations of conversions. Card. Gracias: "Christians of all confessions took to the streets to defend Fr Joseph, a visible witness of ecumenism in this Octave of Prayer for Unity".