Nirmala Carvalho

In Cuttack cathedral, four nuns expressed temporary vows, four expressed perpetual vows. The Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy were the first to work in Odisha. Their work ranges from education and healthcare to development, catechesis and evangelisation.

Fr Purushottam Nayak, AsiaNews contributor, is tasked with the process. A list of 105 martyrs, including seven Catholics, is already ready. The rest are Christians from other denominations, Hindus, Muslims and more, killed because they helped, hosted, and defended their Christian brothers and sisters. Some widows tell their story. One of them is about Rajesh Digal, killed at 26.

Millions of farmers oppose the changes. The Supreme Court appoints a committee to mediate between farmers and the government. Farmers’ unions plan to continue protest until the new laws are scrapped. For Bishop Vadakumthala, the country is being sold off to large multinationals.

For Archbishop Leo Cornelius of Bhopal, “This goes against constitutional principles and freedoms, and is a plan to systematically harass minorities, especially Christians.”

The Court suspends the reform to protect workers, setting up a committee to resolve the dispute. Conversely, the Attorney General defends the government’s laws, opposed by tens of thousands of farmers.

The “quote” is found in a syllabus designed to prepare for a national cow exam, raising fears that it might trigger violence against Christians, Adivasis, Dalits, and Muslims. Other claims include: earthquakes are caused by slaughtering cattle and Africa is arid because cow dung is no longer used as fuel.

“Legal luminaries, eminent intellectuals, are questioning the legal validity of this ordinance, which touches the core of the constitution,” the prelate said. A pastor and some faithful are beaten and arrested.

A pooja, a major Hindu ceremony of devotional homage to a god, was held on the grounds of the Catholic Church in Sancoale, Goa. In his complaint, the parish priest cites the penal code, which bans deliberate and harmful acts meant to insult the religious feelings of a group.

At least 465 families of daily labourers have been without work, wages, food and shelter for eight months due to the lockdown. Many of them returned to their villages of origin, 1,600 km away. The 196 families that remained in Vasai celebrated the Christmas of Jesus with those who take care of them, not only with food, but also by getting their rights respected.

“There was so much happiness in people. After so many months without the sacraments and prayers in churches, they were able to come, visibly happy with great participation”.

The children of destitute nomadic migrants are given lunch. For Brother Joseph: “This is our celebration of today's Feast of the Holy Innocents. May they be healed, their innocence restored, and may they be empowered through education.”

The directive was issued yesterday. No more than 50 participants for each liturgical service; over 60 and children under 10 must stay at home. Card. Gracias, with a video message, asks the priests to reschedule the Masses: to increase their number and reduce their duration. Many prefer online participation. But the government gives go ahead to open to parks, tourist sites and sports centers...