South Asia

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa together constitute 28% of the world economy and 56% of total economic growth. They are asking to be better represented in the IMF and World Bank, led by Europe and the U.S.. Launch of development bank, managed and financed by BRICS for developing countries. Call for peace and an end to violence in Syria and more dialogue for the situation in Iran to keep it from sliding into an open conflict.

Few faithful attend Easter Mass because of the danger of attacks. Prayer and help the poor only way to communicate the Gospel in a 99% Muslim country

The new institution is expected to collect, check and release information on violations of religious freedom in the world. It will be helped in its task by Italian and Vatican diplomats. Dangers to religious freedom are not only found in countries like Nigeria or Pakistan but also in Western nations where a dominant laicism has expelled God from society.

Tired of the political chaos, the poor call for a return of the Hindu monarchy. King Gyanendra will visit the poorest districts in the far west of Nepal during the Easter period to foment religious sectarianism. During Holy Week Christians are calling for respect for religious freedom in the new constitution.

Hindu nationalists from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) beat Rev Mallikarjun Sangalada and four of his parishioners, after accusing him of engaging in forced conversions. The five victims were coming home from a prayer meeting. The pastor has been the head of a community of 35 members for the past two years.

The priests denounced by the anti-conversion law of the State. For Fr. Cedric Prakash the allegations are "unfounded, misleading and malicious: they are all children of Catholic families." New anti-Christian attacks by Hindu ultra-nationalists in Madhya Pradesh: three arrests in Chindwara and thousands of people in prayer attacked in Barwani.

Seized by an influential Muslim, with the "political cover" of an elected official, 19 year old Rinkel Kumari launches a desperate appeal to the courts. “Justice is denied Hindus in Pakistan” and therefore asks to" kill me here "in the courtroom. The family, after reporting to police, forced to leave the village in Sindh. Each year there are 300 forced marriages and conversions

Son of a Muslim and a Catholic convert to Islam, a childhood lived in contact with Christianity and a Catholic wife. His decision comes after the suicide of his only daughter, aged 16. Today, he says, "I know that Christ has guided me through the dark and difficult moments of my life."

Some members of opposition parties accuse the Biju Janata Dal government of having reached a secret pact with Maoists before last year's state elections. Yesterday, the uncle of a witness in a 2008 anti-Christian pogrom trial was abducted. A local judge does not intervene. Only the action of the Global Council of Indian Christians obtains his release.

It is the initiative of the Archdiocese to oppose the Government's proposal to legalize abortion. Official figures Ministry of Health speak of 300 thousand abortions in 2011. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith: "To protect children we must help their mothers. Human life must be respected from conception. "

Flying to Mexico and Cuba, Benedict XVI said: "Today is a time when Marxist ideology, as conceived, is no longer responding to reality." Party member: "The statements by the pope will not alienate our Catholic supporter." Spokesperson of Syro-Malabar Synod: "Not a criticism of Cuba and Cubans, but an invitation to seek new models for their development."

It happened yesterday in West Bengal. Meanwhile in Mumbai, 400 people attended a rally to celebrate the event. Bishop Agnelo Gracias, President of the Diocesan Commission for human life: "It is in giving that we receive. Jesus died on the cross to give us life. "