India

Recent studies show that the toxic cloud released into the environment in 1984 continues to impact the health of residents. The site of the US-owned plant responsible for the tragedy still holds over 330 tonnes of toxic waste. No one has ever been seriously prosecuted for the disaster and today, only grassroots associations are taking care of the survivors.

In the State of Nagaland, at the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians recently recognised by the Indian federal government as a national pilgrimage centre, an initiative to praise God through the beauty of creation. Bishop Thoppil: ‘We no longer use plastic flowers in our churches. Now with the commitment of women in the cultivation of fresh flowers this message is reaching everyone'.

Sree Narayana Guru already a hundred years ago in India brought together representatives of all religions in his ashram to experience fraternal relations. The Pontiff: "Our religious traditions are ways to defeat the culture of individualism, exclusion, indifference and violence".

A native of the same Indian metropolis, 57 year-old Msgr. John Rodrigues has led the diocese of Pune since last year after serving for ten years as auxiliary bishop to Card. Oswald Gracias, who will turn eighty on 20 December next. As of 25 January, he will be at his side with right of succession. He comes from a family in which the widowed mother accompanied all three of her sons to the priesthood.

Local councils forced about a hundred Christians to leave or renounce their faith. The police did not intervene immediately and at least 40 people were forced to take refuge in churches after their property was destroyed. According to some oraganizations, there has been an increase in violence against the Christian community in this Indian State this year.

Led by the Substitute for the Secretariat of State, Archbishop Peña Parra, the delegation joined the millions of pilgrims who will pay homage to the relics of Saint Francis Xavier until 5 January. Also present was the organiser of papal journeys, Cardinal-designate Koovakad. The pope has India and Asia “in his heart,” he said. Goa Governor Pillai pays tribute to Christian schools.

The Major Archbishop visiting communities in the region. After a first stop in the northern vicariate, the second in the south between Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Apostolic vicar Msgr. Martinelli: ‘Collaboration “virtue” of the Gulf Church’. Among the unresolved knots mentioned by the prelate is ‘jurisdiction in the Middle East, even if the modalities have not yet been defined’.

Violence between protesters and police during a survey of the Shahi Jama mosque, which some extremists claim was built in the 16th century on the ruins of a Hindu temple. The protests began with stone-throwing while residents claim that police shot and killed four men, all Muslims.

In the last ten years, the ice in the Himalayan region has shrunk by 65% compared to the previous decade. South Asia could lose up to 75% of its glacier volume by the end of the century. The call for climate finance to mitigate the effects and the compromise solution adopted in Baku, deemed insufficient by developing countries.

The BJP alliance will continue to lead the former, while a local party will lead the latter, attentive to tribal issues. In both states, local politics again trumped over the largest national parties, including the Indian National Congress. Turnout falls short of 70 per cent and many pre-election polls were off the mark.

According to the US Attorney for New York’s eastern district, the businessman close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi lied about investigations into his activities and the transparency of his companies in order to secure US investments. The case highlights the shortcomings of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, the country’s regulatory body for securities and commodity markets.

The solemn event is repeated every ten years, attracting thousands of pilgrims who pray before the remains of the great evangeliser of Asia. "We are Messengers of the Good News" is the theme of this year’s exhibition, which will continue until 5 January. Accompanied by a human chain of a thousand young people, the urn with the relics travelled from the Basilica of Bom Jesus to the cathedral.