Nirmala Carvalho

The 83-year-old Jesuit is set to make another appeal. Suffering from Parkinson's, he is in prison on terrorism charges. Two days ago, the Bombay High Court ordered the release of poet and activist Varavara Rao, 80, for health reasons, in prison since August 2018 for the same reasons. For Father Mascarenhas, a “government that cannot tolerate democratic dissent can so easily abuse” security laws.

Anti-conversion laws are not “deterring people”. Many, “including lay Hindus, ask us why the government is so afraid of Christianity,” said Archbishop Leo Cornelio. These laws “are instruments of persecution targeting Christians,” explained Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians”.

The Diocese of Bijnor in Uttarakhand remains mobilised to help residents in Chamoli District, devastated by a disaster two weeks ago. Concern is growing about by a developing lake in high altitude. If it should give way, it could cause a new flood downstream.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India held a Day of Prayer to express closeness to the victims of sexual abuse of minors and raise awareness of the problem among the faithful. For Sister Arina Gonsalves of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, this provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the scourge of “sexual abuse” that “continues in our society, especially in the digital world” and to reiterate the Church’s “zero tolerance” policy towards the offence.

The three minors had gone out to gather forage near the family farm. They had their hands and feet bound. Police: perhaps victims of poisoning. It is not the first case of gender-based violence in the area. Bishop Nayak: “A brutal crime. Dalit women victims of continuous discrimination "

The cardinal recalls the beginning of the period of penance, a 40-day "journey" in solitude and prayer. And he adds: "Be generous with the poor, go in search of the needy, we are one family". Christ, he adds, "gives us a small space to be part of his work of redemption".

Data on coronavirus infections are at a minimum, especially in the capital, although there is more uncertainty in Mumbai. Serological testing show that there was a very wide circulation of the virus. Doctor Carvalho: “Immunity is widespread. Even without following the rules, most are willing to take a chance with the hope that they will be among the 95% who will recover without great problems."

The Dalit Christian Liberation Movement held public rallies and made appeals to the nuncio. Dalits complain of discrimination because only non-Dalits have been named archbishops, although Dalits represent about 75 per cent of Catholics in the archdiocese.

Archbishop John Barwa inaugurated the new extension of a middle school in Balliguda, one of the villages most affected by the 2008 anti-Christian violence. Let it be “a beacon of light for everyone,” said the prelate.

The nuns, who run a school just 15 kilometers from the disaster area, bring supplies to affected villages, where some of their pupils live. Meanwhile, digging continues to reach 35 people trapped in a tunnel at a dam site swept away by a wall of water.

Based in Gujarat, Father Vinod Kanattu visits everyone on their birthday, providing care daily as suggested by the World Day of the Sick the Church celebrates on 11 February.

Card. Oswald Gracias prays for the victims and for the rescue of the missing. Caritas India takes action to help the authorities involved in relief efforts. There are currently 14 dead, swept away by the wave of water and mud that destroyed two dams. A Catholic mission on the spot tries to assess the extent of the damage.