India

The Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life issued a decree, approved in “forma specifica” by Pope Francis, that places 10-year limit on the leaders of the governing bodies of international associations. An explanatory note explains that “not infrequently the lack of limits to the mandates of government favours, in those called to govern, forms of appropriation of the charisma, personalism, and centralisation of functions”.

Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima looks at efforts in his diocese. Although the Catholic Church lacks its own hospital, it is helping in other ways people who are sick or quarantined. In the diocese, a 50-hour chain adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ended today, the feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In a letter, Francis writes that he shares the cardinal's views on the Church’s attitude towards abuses, but today “We are asked to reform, which — in this case — does not consist in words but in attitudes that have the courage to face the crisis, to assume reality whatever the consequences may be.”

In a new attack in the district of Rayagada, Hindu fundamentalists have devastated the homes of Christians, forcing them to take refuge in the forest. The testimony of Nori Konjaka, one of the victims: "They can destroy our homes, but not our faith in Jesus".

A man who became Christian in the city of Gwalior was prevented by his niece from burying his mother. She filed a complaint with the local police against him for trying to “convert” his mother she was dead. “God knows the truth and he will grant her eternal rest,” said Fr Stephen, a spokesman for the local Catholic Church.

Praying ceaselessly throughout the day, even while working or carrying out the many commitments of daily life is what is called "the prayer of the heart" which consists in repeating with faith: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner! ".

A call is issued to respond to the “provocation” offered by Pope Francis in his Encyclical Fratelli Tutti by “creating an atmosphere of ‘intellectual fraternity’ that reinvigorates the noble sense of ‘intellectual service’ that culture professionals – theological and not – owe to the community.”

At the Fort of Imphal a joint initiative of Christians, Hindus and Muslims promoted by the local government. For the first day after in months, less than 100,000 new infections are registered. The mobilization of Catholic structures continues: at the Jesuit University of Calcutta offers 40 beds for sick people.

Francis met the priests from the Convitto San Luigi dei Francesi. He told them that “a priesthood isolated from the people of God is not a Catholic priesthood; no, and not even Christian.” Instead, “always have great horizons, to dream of a Church fully in the service of others, of a more fraternal and supportive world.”

A picture of the president of the Congress Party, which was doctored to include a book titled ‘How to convert India into a Christian nation’, has gone viral on social media. For Sajan K. George (Global Council of Indian Christians), extremists are using conversions “to divert attention from the horrifying” COVID-19 disaster.

The Church cannot be content with just "the usual little group [that] meets to celebrate the Eucharist". “The procession with the Blessed Sacrament – a hallmark of the feast of Corpus Domini, yet one that for the moment we cannot celebrate – reminds us that we are called to go out and bring Jesus to others." " We need to enlarge our hearts. We need to break out of our tiny self-enclosed space and enter the large room, the vast expanse of wonder and adoration" .

In the Eucharist, fragility is strength: the strength of love that becomes small in order to be accepted and not feared; power of love that breaks and divides to nourish and give life; strength of love that is fragmented to bring us together in unity. Pray for peace in the Holy Land and in Myanmar.