Prime Minister Sharif praised the heroism of the Christian nurse who risked her life in Islamabad to save a newborn baby during a fire in which 14 others died. “I didn’t even think twice,” she said, demonstrating through an act more powerful than words that, according to the Gospel, every person is precious.
The Delhi High Court recently authorised Prema Kumari to travel to Yemen to free her daughter, who is accused of killing Talal Abdo Mahdi with a high dose of sedatives. The latter helped her to set up a clinic but then took her passport, preventing her from escaping. Nimisha's home community in Kerala has rallied to her cause.
The holidays have long been a time of tension and risk of attacks. A situation exacerbated by the upcoming general elections on 7 January, boycotted by the main opposition party. Police and intelligence ensure great vigilance. A report shows a peak of politically motivated violence in 2023.
Christians are socially and economically excluded, accused of blasphemy, victims of violence and forced marriages. While their lives in Pakistan are constantly threatened, the work of Capuchin friar Lazar Aslam is a glimmer of hope, providing help to individuals and families who are victims of violence and outreach to others overcome religious barriers and build social peace.
A new facility for people with autism, Parkinson's and Down syndrome opened in the Indian state shaken by ethnic violence. This occurred on the same day that the new bishop, Mgr Linus Neli, began his ministry in Imphal. At the inauguration, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Girelli noted that the facility was for the people of Manipur, without distinction, and that Pope Francis is praying for them.
Corruption and labour shortages are among the causes, but the latest challenge comes from President Ranil Wickremesinghe's budget proposal to increase VAT by 18 per cent. For some observers, the sector is on the verge of collapse.
Sr. Maria Suzette, of the Apostolic Carmelite congregation who has lived in the disputed Muslim-majority region for 16 years, recounts her experience to AsiaNews. Yesterday, a constitutional panel issued a verdict that the revocation of Kashmir's autonomy in 2019 was a legitimate act by the Narendra Modi-led government.
Forced conversions, child brides, and abuse of blasphemy laws are just a few examples. Christian and Hindu girls and young women are especially targeted in the Muslim-majority country. Greater commitment and accountability are needed from police, government, and judiciary. In one year, 3,914 rapes, 664 cases of domestic violence, 174 honour killings, and 44 acid attacks were recorded in Punjab alone.
It is the first time in 200 years, and the breakthrough came thanks to a petition to the Supreme Court by one member of the community, Jeewarathnam Sureshkumar, who told AsiaNews: 'Without an address many other rights are also impossible. We will monitor the situation until all the communities on each plantation have obtained enforcement'.
While the controversial COP28, the international climate conference, is underway in Dubai, the pastor of the Sacred Heart parish in Pakistan planted some trees with his faithful and prayed with them for peace to mark the beginning of Advent; for him, “it is necessary for each of us to be an informed and active citizen in our community.”
This week, the Telegraph wrote that it had uncovered a kidney-buying racket involving Myanmar nationals as donors and a private health facility in Delhi, where transplants would take place. The phenomenon is not new: despite decades of awareness-raising (starting in Tamil Nadu) there is still a shortage of donors in India and too many people who would need at least one kidney. It is mainly poor people who need to pay off debts who fall victim to trafficking, but online scams have also increased in recent years.
Card George Alencherry and the Apostolic Administrator of Ernakulam-Angamaly, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, have resigned. In January, the Synod will pick a new leader. The pontiff issued a tough warning to those who continue to reject the uniform rite of the Eucharistic celebration. “Do not force the competent ecclesiastical authority to acknowledge that you have left the Church,” Francis said. "For next Christmas,” he added, “the Qurbana in communion should be celebrated, following the indications of the Synod.”
In Leithao, Tengnoupal district, unidentified gunmen killed scores of people, forcing residents to flee to nearby villages. A local community leader calls for security forces to intervene. An official with the opposition Congress party slams the government for failing to act.
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