Addressing an event hosted by the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) in Milan as part of Missionary Month, Bishop Paolo Martinelli spoke about the situation of the religious sisters who remained in Sana'a and Hodeidah, despite the ongoing war and dire conditions. Their work is "essential" and "appreciated by the local population." Meanwhile, fresh fighting broke out between Houthis and pro-Saudi forces.
Shazia Imran, a 40-year-old Christian widow, was killed by four men in murky circumstances because she did not want to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim man, Mani Gujjar. For activist Nadia Stephen, minority women and girls should not be subjected to abduction, rape, and murder simply because they refuse to abandon their religion.
Shilan Oraminejad, Razieh (Maral) Kohzady and Zahra (Yalda) Heidary were arrested on 9 May at home. Their first court hearing is tomorrow, but the charges remain unknown. Taken to an unknown location, they were later moved to Evin prison. So far, they have been denied legal counsel.
With 83 votes in favour, 11 against and 62 abstentions, the General Assembly approved the creation of a body to look into one of the open wounds of the war. Syria as well, as China, Iran and Russia voted against. For Syrian envoy, this is just Western "interference". This comes ten years after the disappearance of Fr Dall'Oglio and the Orthodox bishops of Aleppo.
In a village in Kanpur, saffron-coloured flags were raised and the walls of a building near a Christian school were smeared with graffiti. The latter is open to pupils of all religious backgrounds. Radicals believe that an unauthorised church was under construction. The Bishop of Lucknow asks how any group can claim the right to destroy any structure, even if it lacks proper permits.
Under "pressure" from the municipality, organizers had to move a conference originally planned at the Tower of David Museum. The initiative was focused on abuses and biased attacks by the Jewish world on Christians. Armenian Church in storm over use of land granted to Jewish-Australian developer. The faithful say land aquired through "sweat and blood" was "sold off".
Vietnam’s military has reportedly deployed helicopters and tanks after violence broke out involving the region’s ethnic minorities four days ago. On Sunday, scores of people attacked two police stations resulting in the death of nine people. In neighbouring Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen has sent more police to the border to prevent spillover.
Titled "Hum Saya," it tells the stories of three girls who were kidnapped and forced to convert to Islam in order to marry their captors. Director Dawood Murad wanted to emphasize the importance of solidarity among those experiencing the same marginalization. The director of the Centre for Social Justice, which produced the film, "I hope it will contribute to positive change in the world."
A historical record completed thanks to UN efforts and set to be stored in the offices of the Supreme Judicial Council. Digitized documents proving Islamic State atrocities crucial in future trials. Kidnapped in 2014 by jihadists, six very young Yazidi women returned to their families in recent days.
After Sister Bibha Kerketta, of the Daughters of St. Anne of Ranchi returned to her village for the first since her profession, she celebrated the event with a Mass for friends and relatives. Hindu radicals have accused her of discrediting other religions. She is now in jail with her mother and three other people.
Undisturbed, the chairman of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights continues his campaign of persecution against Christian educational establishments. After threatening to arrest the bishop of Jabalpur, he recently targeted a children’s centre in Katni. The BJP-ruled state goes to the polls in November and now children are used as a political pawn by those who should instead protect them.
Catholic prelates appeal to the State’s various communities after a month-long violence pitting Meitei against tribal groups. They note that “concessions can be made in view of the common good” while “Both communities concerned know their destinies are intertwined.” Meanwhile, more attacks are reported against Kuki villages; in one, scores of houses and the church were set on fire. Weapons are rumoured to have been taken from armouries.
The only Catholic family in an Orissa village, they were forced to flee during the 2008 persecution, losing everything. Now the little girl from that time has made her first religious profession, and the Hindus who had participated in the violence also took part in the Christians' celebration. A ray of light amid gathering darkness for Christians in the state of Manipur.
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