Local bishops publish guidelines for priests and members of the clergy who are guilty of crimes against children and vulnerable adults. For the first time, the reduction to the lay state is foreseen for a guilty priest.
The "homecoming" program is sponsored by the VHP, an ultra-nationalist Hindu group affiliated to the government. The Christian leader emphasizes that "the tribals are animists and have never been Hindu, so the attempt to bring them back to the fold is just a political ploy".
In Delhi, the Church held the first national consultation for the victims of anti-Christian violence of 2008. At least 6,495 people were arrested in connection with the pogroms, but so far only 78 have been convicted. A total of 4,822 houses were a total or partial loss, whilst 232 churches were damaged.
From 3 to 5 February 2019 the pontiff will be in the Emirates for his first official visit to the Arabian Peninsula. The archbishop of Vasai describes friendships between the Great Imams of Al-Azhar and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. For him, Indian Islam is “a phenomenon by itself ".
The incident occurred during the prayer service. The attackers beat the faithful gathered to hear the Sunday sermon. Some musical instruments destroyed; three copies of the Bible ripped.
The name of Fr Prakash Damor does not appear in the note the victim wrote before hanging herself. Yet police arrested him over it. Three young men had harassed the young student and threatened to kidnap her.
Holy Cross Convent High School is located in Kolhapur. This is a women's school, where most female students are not Catholic. Archbishop of Pune: "We are grateful to the sisters for the educational apostolate".
The pilgrims took part in the inaugural Mass, led by the archbishop of the capital. Pope Francis is expected to arrive today. Sport competitions boost bonds of friendship between Indians and Panamanians.
In Atalaya host families welcomed the 56-member Indian delegation. Celebrations, cultural activities, songs and dances have created memories that "will remain etched in our hearts forever.”
After arriving on 15 January, the Indian delegation took part in cultural and social initiatives, including a pilgrimage with Mgr Audillo Aguilar of Santiago de Veraguas. The youth also planted several trees, following the "green" message of Laudato si' by Pope Francis.
The victim would have hanged himself because the priest urged her to marry him. Fr. Prakash Damor met the girl in the missionary school where she was studying. The local bishop: "We are close to the young girl's family, but Fr. Damor is a good person".
The five religious belong to the Congregation of the Missionaries of Jesus. They are witnesses in the rape trial against Msgr. Franco Mulakkal, former bishop of Jalandhar. The nuns are opposed to the transfer order to other convents imposed by the mother superior.
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