South Asia

April 28 was a special day of prayer for the victims of the Easter massacres. The faithful gave life to processions, vigils and Eucharistic adorations. Many Muslims and Hindus joined the Catholics.

At the Regina Caeli on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis recalls the gifts of the Risen Lord: peace, joy, mission. "But let's not forget the wounds of Jesus". The memory of the Argentine martyrs, defenders of the peasants against the landowners. Solidarity for refugees in Libya and for flood victims in South Africa. Best wishes to the Orthodox Churches that today celebrate Easter according to the Julian calendar.

Christians continue to suffer persecution and pay the price for wars they never asked for. Intolerance against them increases in contemporary Islamist discourse. The Nimes imam comments on the attacks in Sri Lanka and challenges "the silent majority": "You will be accused of complicity, if you do not declare a holy war against extremism and hatred".

The Archbishop of Colombo meets the ambassadors of Islamic countries: "What took place id neither political or religious, but the result of the actions of some misled people." In the meantime, investigations into the massacres continue. Military and Islamists: 15 dead, including six children, for fear of new attacks, the Sunday masses were canceled: Catholics invited to stay at home.

The 7.9 magnitude quake killed nearly 9 thousand people, wiped out 90% of homes, hundreds of temples and protected sites. After four years, 50% of displaced people have a home. There remains a widespread corruption that slows down the reconstruction work.

Receiving the participants at the International Congress organized by the Catholic Biblical Foundation, Francis underlined that "in the Church the Word is an irreplaceable injection of life. For this reason homilies are fundamental ", which are not an exercise in rhetoric, but" sharing of the Spirit ".

The protesters wore a black bandage on their mouth. The purpose of the protest is to show that the population does not support any attack on places of worship, be they churches or mosques.

Tibetan Buddhism’s Number 2, was seized by China’s communist authorities when he was only a child after he was recognised by the Dalai Lama. A peaceful march calls for his release, while Tibetan political leaders call on Beijing to explain what happened to him.

One of the oldest Catholic institutions in Manipur was set on fire; another school was attacked by Hindu radicals in Maharashtra. Schools are open to the poor and tribal children.

The miscalculation due to the difficulty in identifying the bodies parts of the victims. Today, on Friday of Islamic prayer, Muslim leaders invite people to stay in their homes. All Christian churches remain closed and liturgical services suspended until full security is guaranteed.

The two little Muslims had gone to mass with their little friends on the feast day in the church of St Sebastian, struck by the terrorist attack at Easter. The Islamic and Catholic communities of Negombo have strong bonds of friendship. The fear of an inter-ethnic and inter-religious division that makes the country go back to the civil war. In the name of security, Islamic women should not wear the burqa. Sheikh Abdul Rahman, social worker, is a collaborator of Caritas Colombo.

The priest was ordained in 1965. He served in the dioceses of Mymensingh and Dhaka. In 54 years of priesthood he has baptized 2,500 Christians. In "a single ceremony, 900 tribals welcomed Christ". His advice to young priests: "Prepare your sermons and visit families more".