South Asia

The vandalism occurred today in the church of St. Mary. A dog chain was tied around the statutes neck. The pastor files a complaint. Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC): "A vulgar and shameful act".

"God created man, male and female, in His image and likeness, giving them both the same dignity and equality: we must work in the Church and in society, to ensure that this equality is respected, rejecting all forms of oppression or injustice, particularly against women".

Thirteen young Hindus and Buddhists were baptised on Easter night. Now they can “be witnesses of the resurrection of Christ." Their missionary commitment touches the whole community.

New Year celebrations begin with the cleaning of the house and the lighting of an oil lamp. The rest of the day is punctuated by auspicious moments. A Catholic celebrated the festivity with his Hindu neighbours "in a gesture of peace and harmony."

The celebration is a national holiday in Bangladesh and has no religious connotation. Mogul Emperor Akbar introduced it to celebrate the end of tax collection. This year, the event is dedicated to the memory of bloggers killed by Islamic radicals.

Baba Ramdev is set to promote and supervise Ayurvedic practices in the State. The government wants to make yoga compulsory in schools. For Dalit rights advocate Lenin Raghuvanshi, the appointment is designed “to boost fascist forces and the concept of Hindu state".

In his Message for the 52nd World Day of Prayer for Vocations (26 April), Pope Francis calls on young people to overcome uncertainty, worries and problems that threaten to paralyse “their youthful enthusiasm”. A vocation means “leaving behind our comfort and the inflexibility of our ego in order to centre our life in Jesus Christ.” It is not a flight “from the world” but a “specific, real and total commitment”. It means “a Church which is less concerned about herself, her structures and successes, and more about her ability to go out and meet God’s children wherever they are, to feel compassion (com-passio) for their hurt and pain."

At Mass in Santa Marta, Pope Francis recalls the life of the early Christians, who were "of one heart and soul", who shared what they had, but were plagued by internal and external problems, by "businessmen" and persecution. Patience is a "grace" of the Spirit.

Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, was involved in the massacres that took place during the war of liberation from Pakistan. He refused to seek a presidential pardon, his last chance after the Supreme Court ruling. In the capital, hundreds of people celebrate the announcement, while some Jamaat-e-Islami activists protest with violence.

The poorest villages west of the country have been hit by a strange unidentified disease. Doctors so far have only been able to treat the symptoms of those infected. Dr. Pun: "We, doctors also fear contagion." The government is distributing medicines with helicopters. The affected areas are the most mountainous of the country.

The Holy Spirit "is the only one able to give us this grace of courage to proclaim Jesus Christ." "And that courage is what distinguishes us from simple proselytizing. We do not do advertising, Jesus Christ as says, to have more 'partners' in our 'spiritual society'. "

Deva Sadhvi Thakur, vice president of the All India Hindu Mahasabha, also wants to build a statue dedicated to the Mahatma Gandhi’s murderer. She also wants India’s federal government to impose a “state of emergency”. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), she should be arrested for "sedition and xenophobia".