Nirmala Carvalho

Families cannot expect financial compensation. India so far has reported five million cases with more than 80,000 deaths. According to the authorities, more than 10 million migrant workers have returned to their villages. For Catholic bishops, migrants, tribal people and Dalits are being denied justice, equality and humanitarian care. To avoid discrimination, families and village leaders are refusing to disclose the cause of deaths in COVID-19 cases.

Members of the Yuva Shakti Sangathan accuse a Christian clergyman of trying to convert hundreds of Hindus. Rev Santosh Kannaujia denies the allegations. Local Christians gather only to pray. For the Global Council of Indian Christians, Hindu radicals think Indian Christians are second-class citizens.

“The lockdown has helped me get more involved with families. It helped me get closer to the parish community,” says Fr Vinod Kanatt. “I help in any way I can, including with the hospitalisation of patients. People feel very comforted and safe in the parish community.”

Pahunch coordinator Goretti Xalxo talks about her experience. The lockdown turned poor menial workers into refugees overnight. They received material support, health information and help to get home.

For Card Gracias, his death leaves a great void in the country's political life. Card Alencherry cites his commitment to national unity and religious harmony. Analysts highlight his skills as negotiator, as well as his controversial tenure as finance minister. No Indian president has rejected as many applications by death row inmates as he did.

The first coronavirus case was reported in April with serious health and economic consequences. The lockdown has left transgender people, rickshaw drivers, migrant workers and day labourers hungry. In Assam the Church’s North East Diocesan Social Service Society has helped 43,738 families. Recent flooding has compounded the ongoing coronavirus emergency.

Hindu extremists beat two pastors with sticks and kicks after dragging them out of a house. they also took some Bibles and a mobile phone. In Uttar Pradesh, police arrested a pastor for allegedly engaging in forced conversion.

For the anniversary, a Mass was celebrated in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, next to the tomb of the Mother. The homily of Fr. Dominic Gomes, vicar general of the archdiocese. "Mother Teresa highlighted the deepest meaning of service - an act of love towards the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the prisoner (cf. Matthew 25: 34-36) is done towards Jesus himself" .

A five-storey building with 40 flats and more than 200 residents collapsed around 7 pm. Similar incidents are frequent during the rainy season. Many had invested their life savings and now have lost everything, says local priest. For them, this is a second blow after losing job and wages as a result of COVID-19.

The home, founded in 1995, caters to poor destitute beggar women. Many residents were quarantined at the home; others were taken to hospital. Thanks to Providence, the superior did not get sick, although she took care of everyone. Priests, religious and lay volunteers helped the sick during the quarantine. India has reported so far 2,836,925 cases with 53,866 deaths.

The fight against the virus comes with pressures from family members and the media as well as the segregation of medical personnel. In this second part, Sister Beena Madhavath, is a member of the Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate and trained doctor, continues her pilgrimage amid the COVID-19 plague.

Sister Beena Madhavath is a member of the Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate. Her hospital in Mumbai was among the first to adopt a protocol to treat COVID-19 patients and set up a ward dedicated to them. Her experience includes joy, pain, fear, but also hope supported by faith.