India

The police has not yet identified the culprits, probably Hindu extremists. About 20 masked men forced the door of the building, broke windowpanes, and destroyed the altar, the confessional, lights, and sacred ornaments, desecrating the sacred building. Hearing noises, Catholics rushed to the church where they were threatened by the attackers.

Religious leaders pray over the grave of the nun beatified by John Paul II 2003. For Fr Cedric Prakash, who heads the Prashant Centre for human rights, justice and peace, people should learn from her teachings and that the poor deserve dignity and value. Only this way will corruption be defeated. Argentinean football players visit the Blessed’s grave.

Monday is the 15th anniversary of her death. After arriving in Kolkata, she worked among the poorest of the poor, and went through an exorcism after a heart operation. Here is an interview with the archbishop emeritus of Kolkata (Calcutta), a friend of the blessed for more than 35 years.

The activists of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) accused them of forced conversions. Church demolished, two motorcycles destroyed, a camera and six bikes stolen. Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC): "Here is the insecurity in which the Christian minority in secular India live."

In Madhya Pradesh, the Church organised prayer meetings and blood donations to commemorate the victims of Hindu violence three years ago. In Orissa, no prayer service was held. In Kandhamal, Hindu nationalists meet to remember the murder of Lakshmananda Saraswati, whose “martyrdom” unleashed a wave of violence in 2008.

For Fr Victor Edwin, an expert on relations between Islam and Christianity, the strength of the Muslims to face the fast, braving the scorching heat and humidity, shows "a deep sense of God." In India, the two communities must work together to defend the country, following the example of the "Arab Spring" revolutions.

Anyone involved in illegal organ transplant or trafficking could get from five to ten years in prison and a fine of two to ten million rupees. Donations between unrelated people are now allowed. For Dr Pascoal Carvalho, of the Pontifical Academy for Life, India needed “more stringent organ transplant laws” to save the sick and the poor from “unscrupulous agents”.

According to the police they were proselytizing among the Dalits and poor Hindus. Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians: "The situation is alarming. The Dalits are empowered by Christian prayer and Hindus are afraid of this. "

It is the second case in a few days against a Malankara church after an assault in Pune. Parish of Mother Mary in Secundrabad targeted by extremists. The faithful denounce the attack, but police have not yet identified the culprits. Four years ago the same building targeted by Hindu extremists.

Caritas Sri Lanka has asked its sister organisation in India to mobilize to secure the release of six fishermen detained since June 2011 in Orissa for having entered Indian territorial waters.

Backed by the state, police cracks down on religious freedom. According to one rule, Churches must register and provide detailed information about their worship and funding. Christian activist calls such a request a form of targeting and intimidation against an already fragile community.

According to the Prashanti Human Rights Centre, Christians in this state fear a repeat of the 2008 violence. Police engages in ambiguous behaviour as it keeps files on Protestant clergyman.