Rubric India

Pakistan and India will celebrate their independence on 14 and 15 August respectively. While Kashmir pins the two against each, for Delhi, Beijing is the main rival. India has made great strides in recent decades, but Hindu ultranationalism is turning the original idea of the Indian nation on its head.

They were celebrating the birthday of one of their children when neighbours called police., who arrested them after finding Christian religious texts in their possession. For Fr Vineet Pereira, the problem is “community polarization”. First application for bail was denied.

The archbishop emeritus of Guwahati looks at the pope’s words and gestures among Canada’s indigenous peoples through Indian eyes. “No more of that” also applies to Dalits, minorities, and the weakest groups in society who still experience abuse.

The games began yesterday in Chennai, chess central for sports fans. Russian, Chinese, and Pakistani players are absent, the latter because of the Kashmir question. As the game gains in popularity in India, chess coaches are now in short supply.

On the feast day of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, the superior of the Redemptorist Vice Province of Majella in India offers his thoughts. For him, “Every elderly and infirm confrere is the hidden jewel” who must “be guarded with care”.

Driven by community of origin to return home to marry, Indians living abroad bring their wives back with them, but on different visas that deprive them of the same rights as their husbands. Abandoned after marriage, they often lose access to their children and their basic rights. In India, there is still no law obliging men to appear before a judge to answer for their abuse.

The 64-year-old, who hails from Odisha, was elected by a wide margin with the support of the BJP. Archbishop Barwa of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar told AsiaNews that he hopes she “will raise her voice for tribals and uphold constitutional values.”

Dalits protest in the village of Ayyampatty on the eve of the feast day of St Mary Magdalene, the local patron saint. Dalit Catholics are excluded from the celebrations and forced to have a separate cemetery. A Dalit man threatens to go before the Madras High Court if things are not rectified.

The historic public port a hub of global maritime trade has been awarded to a consortium 70% controlled by the Indian group. A second private one managed by the Chinese Shanghai International Port Group had already been opened last year. Israel's objective is to make it a major Mediterranean hub. And there is already talk of a "tender" for the rail link to the Gulf.

In response to a petition by an unmarried woman, the court noted that allowing an abortion "would be equivalent to killing the fetus”. As an alternative, it said the woman should be allowed to give birth anonymously and give the child up for adoption. Meanwhile, the first National March for Life planned for New Delhi on 10 August will mark the anniversary of the law legalising abortion in 1971.

Neeraj Chopra, Murali Sreeshankar and Jeswin Aldrin are India’s newest track and field stars. Although some will bet at the World Athletics Championships, which opened today in Eugene (US), India remains a desert when it comes to Olympic medals. Cultural attitudes and poorly made investments seem to be the main causes; however, things appear to be changing.

Between April and June, unprecedented fires torched 0.45 per cent of the state’s surface. The forest department blames an increasingly dry climate and human negligence. Locals pin the fires on wrong development projects that are altering the environmental balance.

Many donors are worried about becoming the next targets of the government crackdown after Razorpay shared part of its payment information to AltNews, an independent fact-checking site, with the investigating authorities. One of the co-founders, Muhammad Zubair, is swamped with legal cases after his arrest last month.

Two more cases instigated by Hindu fundamentalists over simple prayer gatherings in Varanasi and Lakhimpur. Fr Pereira: "The ruling BJP party wants people's minds to be occupied by these things, so as not to see the rise in prices, corruption, lack of work". 

Only three of the 14 statues that comprise the Way of the Cross were spared. The local faithful held a silent protest to denounce the lack of progress in the investigation. Fr Kishore Ekka, parish priest of Dongargarh. "I could not speak for the pain". 

Draupadi Murmu, 64, is from Odisha, and later this month she could become India’s first tribal (Adivasi) woman president. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist party is working overtime to ensure its victory in the 2024 elections. Adivasi and Dalits are still marginalised. The BJP is taking advantage of a recent political crisis in Maharashtra.

A few days ago, the clergyman acted as "father" at the wedding of a Hindu girl he took in at his ashram when she was two years old. For almost 30 years, Fr Kannamplakal, a member of the Blessed Sacrament, has been opening the doors of the Divyahruday Ashram in Chennaipara to those left on their own. “I realised that if I focus on the goodness of each person, the Lord will give me everything,” he said.

On the first anniversary of the death of the Jesuit prostrated by almost nine months of unjust imprisonment for his commitment in defence of the tribals of Jharkhand, the memory of Sr Beena who assisted him in hospital in the last weeks of his life: "There was a sense of joy in his struggle. He encouraged me to renew my daily commitment as a doctor for the people of the suburbs and the marginalised".

Coming into effect on 1 July, the new measure imposes a 10 per cent tax on freebies and perks given to social media glitterati. The Indian government wants to broaden its tax base in a fast-growing industry. About 71 per cent of young people say they bought at least one product on the suggestion of an influencer on social media.

Archbishop Moolachira makes an appeal. So far, some 31,000 people have been affected by the floods in 25 districts with 159 reported deaths. Displaced people have found shelter in Catholic parishes, schools and other facilities. The aid has gone especially where government assistance has not yet arrived.

Mohammad Zubair is co-founder of AltNews, a fact-checking website created in 2017. Multiple criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi goes back to the pogrom of 2002. Twitter is struggling with India’s requests to block tweets and accounts.

The victim was attacked in his shop for defending on social media a BJP politician who sparked a row after making negative comments about the prophet Mohammed on TV. For Bishop Ganawa, Christians “stand for religious tolerance, dialogue and peaceful co-existence among all communities. I pray that good sense will prevail among us all.”

The archbishop of Bangalore and other Christian groups filed a plea, accepted by the Supreme Court, noting that in May alone, 57 attacks were reported on places of worship and other Church-related facilities. The “government machinery [. . .] can control the fringe elements,” Archbishop Peter Machado told AsiaNews.

On the day the Supreme Court ruling in the United States marked a turning point on the right to life, seven fetuses were being found near a bus stop in Belagavi, India. According to doctors, they were around five months gestation and were presumably killed after sex detection. The slaughter of baby girls the dark side of pregnancy terminations in India.

The ban takes effect on 1 October 2022 until the end of February 2023. Lorry drivers expect losses of millions of dollars. In winter, Delhi’s air becomes unbreathable; in 2019 alone, 1.67 million Indians died from air pollution-related diseases.

Archbishop Pamplany joined a protest against a Supreme Court order that risks evicting 1.2 million people from land bordering protected forests in Kerala. “Today, the irony is that snakes and wild boars have protection, not human beings,” he said.

On the summer solstice for the past eight years, the Indian government has publicly celebrated the practice as a form of natural medicine. But on the domestic front it continues to delay the adoption of a national law defining who is really entitled to teach it.

The north-eastern Indian state is home to a large Christian community. Local authorities in a Buddhist-dominated district have prevented the construction of a church for years. They claim that it is “illegal” and want it removed, yet have also not issued permits for it to be built elsewhere.

U.S., Japan, India and Australia ready to intervene to prevent Sri Lanka's economic implosion and a humanitarian crisis of regional impact. Under indictment are the policies of President Rajapaksa, who is too bent on Chinese positions. For China, the Quad's commitment to Colombo will "dissipate."

Francis met in audience with members of the Indian diaspora, marking 1,950 years since the martyrdom of the Apostle Thomas. “Don’t be afraid to rebel against the growing tendency to reduce love to something banal, without beauty or genuine sharing, lacking in fidelity and responsibility,” Francis said. “Christianity consists not in a series of prohibitions,” he added, “but in a life project capable of bringing fulfilment to every human heart.” 

Protesters attack railway stations and set trains on fire following the unveiling of the Agnipath programme to limit military tenure to four years rather than the typical 17. For the Modi government, this will allow defence modernisation. Reducing job prospects by one of India’s main public sector employers has put the spotlight on youth unemployment, which tops 20 per cent in Indian cities.

Thomas Dabre spoke to AsiaNews after some Christians reacted negatively to his address at an event organised by right-wing Hindu nationalists who are increasingly accused of intolerance towards other religions. Jesus “loved the Jewish people,” the bishop said. “On that basis I made the point that Jesus was a patriot”. A meeting point can be found since Catholics and Hindu nationalist share the same love for their land and culture.

Triggering the controversy are allegations of pedophilia by Nupur Sharma, spokeswoman for India's ruling party. In a TV debate she recalled the young age of the prophet's last bride, only 9 years old at the time of the wedding. The wave of anger at the end of Friday prayer with demonstrations in Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and India itself. 

Bomb attacks have recently increased in the northeastern Indian state, the latest against a Church-run educational facility. The National Revolutionary Front, a self-styled separatist and socialist organisation, claimed some attacks perpetrated in early May. Pupils and teachers held a sit-in protest calling for greater security.

Christine Nathan has been elected president of the International Catholic Commission for Migration. For the first time, the umbrella group for 58 bishops' conference offices, has chosen a person from Asia as its leader. Fight against child trafficking, dignity of labour and protection of women among her priorities.

In Kerala, seven young men from different rites, languages ​​and traditions solemnly join the religious order together for the first time in India. For Fr Ivel Mendanha, “what unites the Redemptorists is the spirit of our Lord Jesus the Redeemer and the mission to proclaim him to those who are poor and abandoned.”

A number of intellectuals and educators resigned from public bodies after the BJP-led state government changed social sciences and literature textbooks removing references to major reformers while adding material drawn from the ideology of Hindutva. Silence about inciting communal hatred is cause of concern and fear.

In 2012, Delhi and Islamabad struck a deal to let seniors reunite with family members left on the other side of the border during the violence of 1947. In fact, it was never implemented and getting a visa to meet loved ones still takes months. However, over the past year, a YouTube channel and an open crossing for religious pilgrimages have given some hope to the people of Punjab.

Former Finance Minister Chidambaram calls for even stricter regulations in India on sale and possession. While in Karnataka, nationalist right-wing movements promote training camps for boys on guns and the trishul, India's traditional trident. 

Farmers selling abroad were benefiting from higher global prices. Critics say the government is not serving the interests of the poorest. China defends India against G7 criticism.

Hindu nationalists target a shrine in the diocese of Guntur falsely claiming that a cross was erected at the site of a Hindu idol. However, local police refuted the assertion, noting that the Hindu site is on a different hillock. Following the incident, local Catholics held a peaceful protest, supported by people from other religions.

Just hours after promising Archbishop Machado to look into the matter closely, the governor signed the ordinance as demanded by the BJP Hindu nationalists. It is now the tenth Indian territory to criminalise conversion to another religion.

The latest decision by India’s highest court puts the spotlight on a section of the penal code that dates back to the colonial administration, a rule widely used in recent years by Prime Minister Modi and state governments to suppress dissent. For Fr Prakash, this is an important step, but it is still a “provisional order”; instead, he wants to see the rule’s “total [. . .] repeal”.

The Indian Church's joy for the former 18th century dignitary that Pope Francis will canonise on 15 May. Killed because he preached the fraternity of the Gospel beyond caste barriers. Syro-Malankara native Baselios Cleemis: "Witness in society of a message that no one can stop".

The chief minister called on the governor to sign the bill without the assent of the Legislative Council (upper house). If it becomes law, the bill would make Karnataka the tenth Indian state to adopt such an anti-Christian measure. For the archbishop of Bangalore, the law will be used by “fringe elements and groups” to sow discord. Hence, he urges “the Governor not to give assent to the bill”. Many Indian States have adopted legislation dear to Hindu nationalists.

Indian authorities uncover widespread corruption in Home Affairs Ministry involving NGOs forced to pay bribes to get licence to receive foreign funds. Thousands of NGOs have seen their licence expire waiting for renewal after new legislation came into effect. The case of the Sisters of Mother Teresa highlighted the situation last Christmas.

Hindu nationalists target a community in a village in Dakshina Kannada district. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu's High Court will also discuss the issue of "forced conversions". Local Catholics protest: "Suicide of a young girl exploited for political ends." 

More than 400 delegates from every diocese met in Gujarat for the national conference of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement under the auspices of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India. Participants reiterated their commitment to social outreach on issues like the environment, the fight against poverty and addiction, and the prevention of communal tensions.

The incident occurred in Seoni, a district where the Gonds are the majority. According to a third man who survived the attack, ultranationalists incited the mob against them. Police have detained six people. Local tribal residents demand that the homes of the attackers be razed to the ground the way the Hindu nationalist dominated state government did with Muslims.

The new archbishop was installed last Friday, but his appointment is still rejected by some because he is not a Dalit. A local Dalit group organised a protest announcing that it was taking the case to the Indian government and India’s Supreme Court.

This year heatwaves began in March. Extreme heat makes working in the middle of the day impossible. Deaths are on the rise, but the government has little data to deal with the situation. In cities, the effects are mitigated by air conditioning, but the latter is part of the problem.

Clarence High School has become the target of a new anti-conversion campaign because it offers Bible classes to non-Christians. For Archbishop Machado, “Christian Institutions are once again being targeted” with false and misleading accusations.

Police arrested Fr Albert, 67, after a Dalit woman filed a complaint against him alleging improper behaviour towards her daughter. The day before, she had asked that her children be enrolled for free at a Church-run school. Bishop Kalist urges the faithful to pray. Fr Albert “is innocent,” he said, and this will be proven.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement at a recent Ayush summit. The market for traditional medicines is booming, in part thanks to the recommendations of the Indian government at the start of the pandemic. Exports may soon reach Africa.

26 people were arrested in the Fatehpur district during a liturgy held by an evangelical community. The charge of "illegal conversions from Hinduism". The bishop of Lucknow Mgr Mathias to AsiaNews: "Hindu fundamentalists are increasingly encouraged to behave like vigilantes. One wonders where the religious freedom guaranteed by the Indian Constitution has gone".

Born 131 years ago, the Indian jurist fought for social equity for Dalits, Adivasi and women. Indian politicians like to cite him, but in practice nothing is being done to improve the situation of the poorest, who, according to the latest studies, are still discriminated with respect to the economy, healthcare and law. An award to honour him has not been given for years.

From Mukachevo, Sister Ligy Payyappilly writes: in Ukraine, there are “many mothers who mourn their children just as Mary suffered before the Cross for her beloved Son.” For her, “the more this war goes on, the more innocent people will die”. Yet, “We believe and know that God is with us. Easter will come for us too.” So, “please continue to pray” for peace.

Local officials admit that the demolitions were a form of collective punishment, but also claim that the buildings were illegal. Sectarian clashes between Hindus and Muslims are also reported in Gujarat and West Bengal during Ram Navami, a Hindu festival. Hindus taking part in processions chanted anti-Muslim slogans while police stood idly by before moving in.

Nationalist groups file a complaint with police against an evangelical association promoting inmates’ dignity. They see this as a way to convert, and want such associations banned from prisons.

Gautam Adani joins Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos on Bloomberg's Billionaire Index. In the past two years, his fortune grew tenfold while India was reeling from the pandemic-induced economic crisis. The businessman from Gujarat has seen every door thrown open to him by the BJP government. At present, he is into both coal and renewable energy.

Some cases have come to light following inquiries by child protection officials. A medical practitioner was involved in one case. For Sister Devarapalli, poverty is not the only cause. A campaign against orphanages and adoption centres run by Christian groups and foreign NGOs is also to blame.

A military agreement signed with Cambodia and a security deal concluded with the Solomon Islands. Australia: China has established 20 military posts in the South China Sea, it could do the same in the South Pacific. Beijing has also militarized disputed areas on the Himalayan border.

An Indian-born PIME missionary, he died in Eluru at the age of 91. Called by Paul VI to lead the new diocese in the then Andhra Pradesh, he was transferred to Kurnool in 1987. In paying tribute, Nalgonda’s current bishop, Mgr Govindu Joji, writes: “In him people could see a father and a good shepherd.”

Yalam Sankar, 50, was a well-known figure for his stance against Hindu nationalists. The Global Council of Indian Christians calls for a thorough investigation into this murder and the safety and security of the Christian community in central India.

Justices dismiss anti-conversion petition by Hindu nationalists, calling it a propaganda initiative that undermines communal harmony. India’s highest court allows Hindus to be granted minority rights in the 10 states where other religious groups are the majority.

India’s best known food delivery company sparks online negative reaction over riders’ safety in a country that tops the world in road-related fatalities.

Originally from Bihar, the workers slept overnight at a timber yard where a fire broke out due to a short circuit. The tragedy highlights the living conditions of migrants. For Archbishop Machado, not only borders need security. Sr Fernandes saddened by the fact that the most vulnerable pay the price even in a hi-tech city.

Fighter jets and a frigate have been delivered,the possible arrival of eight submarines  pending. In 10 years, China has sold almost US$ 6 billion worth of armaments to the Pakistanis. Beijing is exploiting the war in Ukraine, and the US distraction, to advance in South Asia. Border tensions with Delhi remain.

Another Indian state ruled by Hindu nationalists has approved legislation that fuels intercommunal tensions. The new law imposes the burden of proof on the accused to demonstrate that he or she was not converted by extorsion, force or deception. If Karnataka passes a bill currently before the state legislature, 11 Indian states will have this kind of law.

Pope Francis did not take into account Dalit demands for a Dalit prelate when he decided to appoint Bishop Francis Kalist of Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) to the archbishop’s see in Tamil Nadu, a state where Dalits are the majority of the local Catholic community. The main Dalit association now threatens to appeal to the Indian government. Apostolic Nuncio Girelli wrote to the group a month ago saying the choice would not be “based on ethnicity, caste, language or social status.”

The gesture against Major Archbishop Alencherry and Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches Sandri in the Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, which does not want to accept the Synod's decision on the "unified" rite of the Holy Qurbana. Just a month ago Pope Francis warned about "liturgical disputes that play into the hands of those who are masters of division."

Dalveer Bhandari, a former justice with the Supreme Court of India, backs the decision ordering Russia to stop military operations. The court rejects Russia’s claim that Ukraine is guilty of genocide. At the UN, India has abstained in resolutions against Russia to avoid condemning it.

Benjamin Bara, a tribal from Jharkhand, heads UNESCO Asia committee promoting special decade (2022-2032) to protect tribal languages. Speaking to AsiaNews, he urges missionary schools to do more to preserve tribal identities.

The court upheld the state’s dress code that bans headscarves in schools. Islamic associations slam the decision, calling it a violation of Muslims’ freedoms, pledge support for an appeal to the Supreme Court. For Archbishop Menamparampil, “When anyone’s identity or honour is threatened, they go [to] any length to protect it”. So, if we “Remove threats, avoid exaggerations, normalcy will return.”

Elected by the general chapter in Calcutta, she takes the place of Sr. Prema, who had led the sisters since 2009. Brought up in Calcutta alongside Mother Teresa, 68 years old, she was currently superior for Kerala.

During the Indian prime minister’s visit to his native state following victories by his party, the BJP, in state elections, business activities have been completely shut down and people rounded up in preventive detention. A group of activists sent a letter of protest directly to the prime minister.

Hindu nationalists win the crucial Uttar Pradesh state election, but the anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party crushes Punjab’s hitherto dominant parties. As the crisis of the Congress party gets worse, observers wonder who will he be the real challenger of the BJP in 2024.

Hindu nationalists and radical monk Yogi Adityanath win in India’s most populous state. They also lead in Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. “We respect the verdict,” said Bishop Mathias of Lucknow, but there is fear about the fate of minorities. The government should show that slogans about development “are not just words but translate into reality.”

The government is set to lift restrictions in place since March 2020 to revive local tourism, which has lost more than 21.5 million jobs due to the pandemic. The decision was made possible by progress in the vaccination campaign, which has reached over 90 per cent of the population over 15 years of age in many Indian states.

Priya Rajan, a 28-year-old Christian Dalit, was sworn in last week. The city is India’s fourth largest. For Father Bosco, she is a “source of inspiration and courage” for all Dalit and Christian women.

According to the local prosecutor, there is no evidence of forced conversions in the Varadara shelter run by the Sisters of Mother Teresa. The case began with National Commission for Protection of Child Rights inspecting the facility. The Sisters will “continue our work to serve the poorest of the poor,” one of the nuns said; however, the anti-Christian campaign by Hindu extremists continues.

Sr Rosela and Sr Ann rejected the prospect of moving to a safer area so as not to abandon those who suffer. The link between the Missionaries of Charity and Ukraine goes back to Mother Teresa herself, who managed to cross the Iron Curtain into the then Soviet Union in 1987 to assist the victims of Chernobyl. Today, she repeats her appeal for peace: "I beg you on my knees: nothing can ever justify the pain and losses caused by your weapons".

Fr. Errol Fernandes SJ has undertaken a new project for the people of Savarde, a village in Palghar district, to spare women a dangerous trek to collect water. The next step will be to improve the local school.

Educated but unemployed, or workers treated like cannon fodder. This is the picture that emerges from recent surveys on the Indian labour market. In the automotive sector, thousands of workers are seriously injured and have no protection. But the car industry is expected to be worth 300 billion dollars in 2026.

According to the Hunger Watch Survey-II conducted between December and January, one household in three was at risk of going to bed without enough food in the month preceding the survey. Rising debt is also a great concern. For the survey’s authors, the authorities “are in denial mode.”

To help India live up to the commitment made at the Glasgow conference to reduce carbon emissions, Catholic schools in the great metropolis are asking pupils to adopt lifestyles compatible with this goal. Fr Magi Murzello notes that zero was invented in India, and now the country must make another contribution.

In Maharashtra, the St. Catherine of Siena School and Orphanage started a project to counter malnutrition among the children of migrant families and provide them with educational support. The school, which began in 1957, pursues its founder’s mission.

Speaking to members of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, Francis mentioned the many conflicts in the lands where Eastern Christians live, like Eastern Europe, the Tigray, and Lebanon. He also warned what the row over the liturgy can do, as in the case of the Syro-Malabar Church: “If we give scandal [. . .], we play the game of the master of division,” he said.

The local administration removed the statue, erected 18 years ago, despite opposition from residents. It claimed that it was executing a High Court order when in fact, the case is still pending in court. Hindu ultranationalists have long claimed the land on which the local church stands.

Bishop Samuel Mar Irenios and priests from the Diocese of Pathanamthitta were taken into custody in connection with illegal sand mining by a man who leased land from the diocese. However, unlike the men religion, the main suspect and government officials accused of complicity in the affair were never detained.

The introduction of the new subject matter follows a rise in suicides among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We want to strengthen our future generation mentally,” education minister said.

On the eve of local elections in the small state where Christians are a quarter of the population, the Council for Social Justice and Peace warns that, “Money and freebees are distributed and unfortunately many people accept them. These offer no solution for unemployment, for escalating prices and homelessness.” Above all, “Let us not be manipulated by political experiments, electoral adventurism and deceptive propaganda.”

Mohammad Arif Khan, the first Indian athlete to qualified in two events, wants to be a model for young Kashmiris.

Schools in Karnataka have been closed for three days after riots broke out against the ban on wearing the Islamic veil in class. The riots spread throughout the country at the same time as the opening of polling stations in Uttar Pradesh. Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash: "It is a political manipulation, the wealth of India lies in its diversity".

According to official data, the prison population rose by 1.5 per cent in 2020 over the previous year, with about 76 per cent of the inmates held pending trial. The only positive note is the drop in deaths in prison, down to 1,764 in 2020.

Illegal sand mining on land leased by the Diocese of Pathanamthitta had been going on for years. In 2020, local authorities imposed a first fine. Bishop Joshua Mar Ignathios told AsiaNews that the issue is strictly legal. Speaking about his fellow prelate, “We shall prove his innocence,” he said.

The Nepali government wants to settle the issue by diplomatic means. The affected area borders on Tibet. China denies accusations that it is limiting religious and economic activities on the Nepali side. Security considerations are said to be behind China’s actions.

Syro-Malankara Bishop Samuel Mar Irenios Kaattukallil of Pathanamthitta (Kerala) and five priests are accused for mining on Church-owned land. The accused say that the mining was done without the Church’s knowledge on land leased to a farmer. In the meantime, the nun blamed for the suicide of a young woman in the Michaelpatti hostel has been released on bail. The case has been exploited by Hindu nationalists in their anti-conversion campaign.

Despite the professions of eternal friendship between the Russians and the Chinese, which Putin renewed at the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing, Moscow is looking to Asia to break away from Europe and America, and needs New Delhi to avoid being suffocated by China. And it is not such a new phenomenon either.

An in-depth report accuses the president of the NCPCR, India’s federal child protection agency, of pursuing a Hindutva-inspired agenda against Christians and Muslims. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has orphaned more than 147,000.

Dalit group renews call that a Dalit be chosen as the new archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore; local Dalits represent the vast majority of the faithful. Out of 18 dioceses in Tamil Nadu, only one has a Dalit bishop.

The suicide of a girl in a hostel run by the Franciscans of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is being used to fuel accusations of conversion. The case is now in the hands of India’s Central Bureau of Investigation, but according to the local school board no complaints were ever filed against the nuns. Meanwhile, in another district, two nuns were attacked by Hindu radicals. For Archbishop Felix Machado, Hindu nationalists “have cleverly constructed a narrative and found ways to carry it out” against Christians.

K. V. Rabiya, a Muslim woman, is one of this year’s recipients of the Padma Shri, an honour conferred on Republic Day. Despite polio and many other health issues, she set up an adult literacy association working in various villages. For her, “education serves its purpose only if you impart the same to others and empower them.”

Protesters attacked a train and disrupted some railway lines over first session of online exams. More than 12.5 million people have applied for 35,000 jobs. The government put the next exam on hold to vet the issue.

On the eve of Republic Day, which also coincides with the promulgation of the Indian constitution, the archbishop emeritus of Guwahati speaks out. In his view, the country is slipping into the hands of the “earning” elite to the detriment of the poor and minorities. How can the authorities repeat that religious freedom is guaranteed when government interference in conversions is increasing, along with words that sow hatred between faiths?

The Bangladeshi writer takes a stand against the womb-for-rent practice two days after Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra and her partner announced the birth of their child via surrogacy.

62-year-old Sister Sahaya Mary, in charge of a student hostel linked to the Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School in Michaelpatti, was arrested. Behind the arrest was the death by poisoning of a 17-year-old student. Social media have amplified and distorted the story. The young girl had lost her mother eight years ago and was the victim of harassment by her stepmother, a BJP supporter. 

Caste will now be a protected category at California State University so that “disadvantaged castes” will be protected under the university’s anti-discrimination policies. This comes after complains from young Indian students. Caste biases persist even among overseas Indian communities. In the US, one in four Dalits has experience physical or verbal attacks because of their caste.

While India grapples with the Omicron variant, the Cardinal Gracias Memorial Hospital has installed equipment for new emergencies. Archbishop Machado urges federal minister “to tell the central government” that Christians “are an integral part of building the nation,” not its enemies.

Arrested in 2018 following accusations by a former superior of the Missionaries of Jesus, the bishop of Jalandhar, who was put on leave of absence, always maintained his innocence. Only 39 witnesses out of 84 were called to testify in court.

Indebted and grappling with a severe financial crisis, Colombo tries to balance the interests of Beijing, Delhi and Washington. Affected by the pandemic, the island nation needs foreign currency to pay for its growing imports. China’s “debt trap” is an issue. Sri Lanka reaches oil deals with India.

Every year on 16 January, the Catholic community in Sancoale holds services near the ruins of an old church to remember the great missionary from Goa who brought Catholicism to Sri Lanka. As state elections approach, Hindu extremists are trying to prevent celebrations on the pretext of protecting the archaeological site. Starting on 23 January, local priest will hold a weekly prayer every Sunday for peace and harmony.

Students from the Don Bosco Arts and Science College helped a single mother of two, by raising funds and building a house for them in 10 months. “I am really happy and proud for what the young people of Don Bosco College have done,” said Bishop Alex Vadakumthala. “[S]tudying does not merely mean acquitting another degree but requires opening one’s heart and mind,” he added.

Hindu religious extremist Swami Prabodhanand Giri twice urged followers to arm themselves to cleanse India of Jihadis. Meanwhile, the High Court in Madhya Pradesh stopped the removal of children from a Catholic orphanage targeted by the Child Welfare Committee on the basis of phoney arguments. “By the Grace of God, we got a stay order from the High Court,” said the Syro-Malabar bishop of Sagar. “However, this is not a permanent solution.”

In just ten days the number of new cases reported rose nine folds in the country. Starting today healthcare staff and seniors with co-morbidities can receive the third, booster shot. State elections set for February-March will go ahead, whilst schools are closed again for many children. Meanwhile, the Church has mobilised for the poorest.

After the blocking of funds from abroad, the Missionaries of Charity in India have once again been hit by bureaucratic red tape: the renewal of a state concession for the land on which a home that welcomes those abandoned by all has been denied. The Bishop of Lucknow: "A dangerous road has been taken against Mother Teresa's sisters. They attack Christians because they are a community that loves peace".

Local authorities have declared their territory "free" from this practice. A survey last year found that 22.3 per cent of women aged 20 to 24 got married before 18. District authorities held rural meetings, registered all marriages and offered rewards of 50,000 rupees to informants to stop a practice aggravated by the recent pandemic.

Other victims of government action include an Association for tuberculosis patients and Oxfam, which denounces: humanitarian interventions for the Covid-19 emergency are at risk. The government of Orissa is offering economic aid to the Missionaries of Charity, who  tell us from Bhubaneswar: "We are not worried, the Father will take care of our needs.

From the general of repression in Myanmar to the courageous nun in Kabul, from the voices of freedom in prison in Hong Kong to the Jesuit who died after eight months in jail in India: we retrace these twelve months in Asia through the stories of some key figures that we have told on AsiaNews. 

Today's headlines: Japanese expatriates in Taiwan are studying escape routes in the event of a Beijing attack on the island; Omicron alert, Riyadh reimposes social distancing measures at Mecca and Medina; on Christmas Eve, Vietnamese authorities attacked dozens of Montagnard Christians; the Russian Duma introduces a committee for the defence of Christian values. 

Back in 1999, hate-mongering Hindu nationalists killed Fr Arul Dos in the village of Sarat. That did not extinguish the faith of ethnic Ho who celebrate Christmas by singing and dancing all night long. Their life is no different from that in the nativity cave, amid the smell of animals and “fragile lives fraught with danger and insecurity.” Here too, “Jesus comes to give life and hope.”

On tweeter, a “shocked” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slams the freezing of the Sisters’ bank accounts because of the consequences for the poor. India’s Home Affair Minister replied saying that while the Sisters’ application to renew their registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act was not approved, they can continue to operate until 31 December. The Sisters put their accounts on hold pending a resolution of the issue.

A church in Ambala was targeted. On 25 December, thousands of people of all faiths visited the church to see the nativity scene. The “wooden manger in which the Prince of Peace was born was already a sign of his crucifixion,” said Bishop Mascarenhas. “Now we see the same sign in Ambala as well.”

This is the 40th attack in 2021 in this Indian state, where anti-Christian intolerance has reached a peak, fuelled by an anti-conversion bill the state government tabled in the local legislative assembly for discussion in January.

“I wanted to consecrate myself” to “an active congregation,” she said, but “I realised that the Lord had other plans”. She made her profession in Dublin, where two other Indian nuns are following in her footsteps. Fr Ivel Mendanha, provincial superior, is praying to see soon “the first ever Redemptoristine Monastery in Mumbai”.

The Court orders federal and state governments to issue ID papers to sex workers making them eligible to social benefits. For Sr Prema Chowallur, “this decision will bring recognition and relief to millions of people who lived years together in the backyards of the country”.

At the Shrine of the Infant Jesus, local Jesuits recently began to help poor migrant tribal families from Rajasthan, who have virtually nothing, surviving on daily work. A party was organised for their children this Christmas.

According to the International Energy Agency, the global figure is set to rise by 9% this year, threatening climate change targets. Delhi had promised to reduce harmful emissions by 2070; Beijing by 2060: insufficient commitments, which remain words on paper.

The cabinet has approved a bill that now goes before parliament. Currently the limit is 18, but in rural areas it is largely ignored. Tensions with Muslim groups that consider the bill an arbitrary interference.

In Gujarat, a house run by the Missionaries of Charity is under investigation on charges of "converting" young girls. The sisters: "False accusations. Many non-Christians are also praying for us". Msgr Machado: "Has this country already forgotten how much the Mother of the Poor has done for India?".

In order to restore the Kashi Vishwanath temple to its ancient glory, some 400 families were removed (and compensated) to establish a corridor between the shrine and the sacred river. Coming with a price tag of almost US$ 80 million, the project has great political and cultural significance for the BJP. With a capacity of 50,000 to 70,000, it “will give a decisive direction to India,” PM Modi said.

A parish priest in Belagavi managed to escape an attack, recorded on CCTV. In the last 12 months, 38 episodes of anti-Christian violence were documented in Karnataka. Police detained a Christian couple in Madhya Pradesh after they were accused of "luring" tribal women to convert.

Fourteen people are killed after a pickup carrying miners is ambushed by the military in the small state in northeastern India. Demands grow louder for the military to be stripped of their “special powers”. For Nagaland Catholics, no one “on earth has the authority to take away another life under any given circumstances.”

Today's healines: planrevealedfor invasion of Malaysia from the south of the Philippines . Canada joins diplomatic boycott the Beijing Winter Games. South Korean population expected to collapse. Israel and USA prepare anti-Iranian military exercises. Indian Armed Forces chief dies. Kyrgyz opposition launches parallel parliament.

At the request of the Jesuits, the High Court of Bombay agreed to open new proceedings in connection with terrorism charges levelled at the clergyman who died at 84 years after a long imprisonment. The stigma associated with Fr Stan’s memory must be erased.

Violence against Christian gatherings are becoming routine in a Madhya Pradesh district. Hindutva-inspired militants held a rally calling for a ban on Christian meetings. “At the start of the Advent season, we are concerned for the Christian community in Jhabua,” said Sayan K. George.

China Harbour Engineering will build the Eastern Container Terminal in the Port of Colombo. Indians will still build the Western Container Terminal. The Sri Lankan president says he has to balance relations between Beijing and New Delhi. In the background loom fears over Beijing's “debt trap".

Originally from Maharashtra, he is finishing his second doctorate at the prestigious British university. At least 300 million Indians still belong to disadvantaged castes today. And the government could do much more, he tells AsiaNews.

Today's headlines: A 20-year-old Hong Kong student activist Tony Chung will have to serve three years and seven months in prison; China's birth rate plummeted in 2020, marriages also at a low; Pakistan grants transit to Indian aid to Afghanistan; Tokyo and Hanoi strengthen military cooperation to counter Beijing. 

An “outcast” suffers brutal violence in a Madhya Pradesh village. For Fr Devasagsyaraj, “nothing has changed” in half a century. “Culprits should be punished”, and civil society “should raise their voice on behalf of the voiceless”.

India's prime minister has announced a u-turn on the disputed laws. Small farmers had been protesting for a year that subsidies and state warehouses would suffer under a new system they feared would favor monopolists. The president of the Indian bishops' labour commission: "The cry of the poor has been heard".

Today's headlines: Burmese junta arrests former Democratic MP and hip-hop star. Japan launches record 431 billion euro stimulus. Military talks between China and India on border issue resume. Alibaba's stock market plunge. Moscow wants to send prisoners to work at the North Pole. Collapse of the Turkish lira: the opposition calls for early elections.

According to statisticians, with the increase in population there should have been 20.2 million, but instead there are only 12.7 million. Among the causes are emigration due to discrimination and a high mortality rate due to poor living conditions. Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council: "In 1971 we did not fight to create an Islamic state".

Eating habits are targeted in Hindu nationalist strongholds. Local authorities claim that non-vegetarian food vendors cause traffic snarls and “offend religious sentiments”. Yet, about 71 per cent of India’s population consumes non-vegetarian food. A member of the Indian Social Institute says that the goal is to “impose one culture, one religion, one ideology”.

While boasting about its interethnic harmony, the Singaporean of Indian origin and immigrants with an Indian background are refused housing by Chinese landlords because of their “smelly” cuisine. Members of Singapore’s ethnic minorities complain of hidden racism. Indo-Singaporeans represent 9 per cent of the country’s population.

Today's headlines: UAE announces purchase of South Korean anti-missile system. US and China agree on visas for journalists. Japan tests first self-driving superfast train. Protests in Kazakhstan over high prices. India reopens export of Covid vaccines. Tensions between Indonesia and Vietnam over fishing rights.

Fr. Bikash Nayak: "During the violence of 2008 I had to hide in the forest with my family. I was inspired by the example of Fr. Digal, who was killed: the threat to my life did not stop my desire to dedicate my life to the Kingdom of God".

Today's headlines: Kuwait "pardons" three political dissidents; China imprisons a blogger for "insulting" dead Chinese soldiers on the border with India; Journalist Danny Fenster freed in Myanmar; Hindu radicals attack the home of former Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid.

The Churches of Asia yesterday marked the observance established by Pope Francis. Auxiliary Bishop D'Silva of Mumbai listened to their stories. Philippine Bishop Pabillo told election candidates not to spend money on the poor, not on ads or bribes. In South Korea, a local cardinal and a new archbishop served food.

The Jesuit clergyman, who died in Mumbai after nine months in detention, wrote a scathing article against the Indian government’s policy of auctioning off 41 coal mines to private interests. India’s coal is front-page news in the wake of COP26 in Glasgow.

In the headlines today: A new Covid outbreak in China; expectations ahead of the virtual meeting between Xi and Biden. Japan's economy declines sharply. Two journalists arrested in India for reporting on clashes in Tripura. Kabul mediates truce between Islamabad and Pakistani Taliban. Israel and the US launch partnerships against ransomware. Schism in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Tomorrow is the fifth World Day of the Poor, and the seventh World Day of the Redemptorist Missionary Vocation. The latter are involved in a couple of projects; one to improve ground and water resources management, and the other to educate poor and lower caste children, marginalised by society.

Child protection agency president inspected the Bishop Clemens Memorial Boarding hostel searching evidence of "conversions" by the nuns. Fr Joseph would like to see the same agency “take note of the safety and security of thousands of children living in the streets of Indian cities.”

The Vatican has set the date for the canonisation of the high caste court official, born in today’s Tamil Nadu. He will be the first Indian lay person to become a saint. For Archbishop Machado, he became “poor for the sake of the poor”. Fr Bosco notes that, “Castes divide”, while the new saint will unite.

Prisoners were protesting their conditions after another inmate died of dengue fever. Accusations against police who deny shooting to restore order. Across India, the problem of prison overcrowding is serious, affecting a population made up of 69.1% of people arrested while awaiting trial.

Today's news: Emirates opens to marriage, divorce and joint custody for non-Muslims, tensions between Delhi and Islamabad over the killing of an Indian fisherman, Thailand rejects calls for amendment to "lese majesty" law.

In a village in Bijapur district, extremists Christians forced to perform a religious ritual in order not to lose homes and property. Local law does not consider a “return” to the “ancestral” religion as conversion, even when involving members of tribal who were never Hindus.

The day's news: Pakistan's government tries to strike a deal with the Taliban, Iran says it will resume nuclear talks, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte threatens health workers.

In the Diocese of Sindhudurg, projects have been undertaken to develop unused farmland and start new activities at a time when COVID-19 made things hard. For Fr Pais, women “are often less paid” and “Recognising their contribution is important”.

The Agni-V has a range of over 5 thousand km. A possible signal to Beijing, while the two countries face off on the Himalayan border. Chinese and Indians very active in missile development. Beijing worries Washington with its hypersonic launchers; India wants to sell supersonic missiles to China's adversaries in the South China Sea.

A group of Hindu nationalists gave the principal of the Christ Jyoti Secondary School “15 days to install the statue” of the goddess Saraswati. For Archbishop Machado, secretary general of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, the “constitutional guarantees” of minorities “should not be called into question”.

Card Oscar Gracias attended the event organised by the Lokmat Media Group. “India is home of many religions,” said the cardinal, “and is the flag-bearer of the Vasudhaiva kutumbakam,” the idea that the world is one family.

In a video filmed in the state of Chhattisgarh, the swami Parmatmanand, in the presence of local BJP leaders, says: "In our villages we keep hatchets at home". Divine Word Missionary Fr Jospeh: "Every limit has been exceeded".

Standoff over withdrawal of respective forces along the disputed frontier. The Chinese position long-range missile launchers in the region; the Indians deploy M777 howitzers. Indian government: we have the capabilities to face the Chinese army. China is better equipped, but its soldiers are unfamiliar with operations at high altitude.

What does the two-year journey set by the pontiff represent for the Eastern rite Church whose path already includes synods? For Fr Paul Thelakkat, the Church must free itself from clericalism and listen to the eparchies.

Since last Friday, torrential rains have raged in the Himalayan region, causing huge damage. As environmental disasters steadily increase in India, experts predict a 20 per cent rise in extreme rainfall due to climate change.

Last week violence broke out again in Bangladesh after Muslims attacked Hindu homes and temples. Local newspapers criticise the government for "Islamising” the country. Indian editorials back Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and point the finger at radical Islamist groups.

Hindu nationalist right-wing militants carry out the provocation at the Bairidevarkoppa Church. Police arrested the head of the Pentecostal community, who led the Sunday service.

An anti-conversion law could come into force in the coming weeks. For the archbishop of Bangalore, the “conversion bogey” is whipping up “anti-religious feelings”. Instead, “Let the government take the count of the educational institutions and health centres run by the Christian missionaries.”

In a controversial ruling, the court is authorising an 18-year-old unwed woman to end her pregnancy after 26 weeks even though the foetus is healthy and represents no risks to her health. Instead of abortion, children should be given to the Missionaries of Charity, as Mother Teresa asked.

A mob of Hindu extremists dragged two Ursuline Franciscan nuns to a police station along with a group of Evangelical Christians who were praying at a private home. The religious sisters were released after six hours. For Christian leader, “In today's political climate in India, wearing a religious habit means being marked out as a target.”

Fr Joe D' Souza, pastor at the Church of St John the Evangelist, performs the deed every year. For him, ““animals break all religious barriers” and “helped many people cope with the lockdown during the pandemic.”

The Jesuit’s calvary began a year ago when he was jailed for defending the rights of marginalised people. He died last July after almost nine months of detention. Now in Karnataka nationalists are against St Aloysius College naming a campus park after him, threatening violent actions.

The St Catherine of Siena School and Orphanage in Bandra provided smartphones and meals to students from families most in need. Almost a fifth of teaching positions are not filled in India while many teachers are underqualified, says UNESCO report.

Investigators are looking into Sunday's incident that led to the death of nine people in Uttar Pradesh. The son of the Minister of State in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs was in one of the cars. For Catholic farmers association, government repression is unacceptable.

Sister Jessy Maria is one of 10 finalists for the Women’s Creativity in Rural Life Prize awarded by the Geneva-based WWSF. She has always worked with the weakest and with an eye to protecting the environment.

As India’s healthcare system concentrated on COVID-19, other diseases took the back seat a devastating impact on infant mortality, a FICCI report found. At least 51,000 lifesaving surgeries have cancelled. For Dr Carvalho, the system “needs to bring back the focus to these (non-COVID-19) patients.”

A 14-year-old boy suffered burns to 70 per cent of his body. Local Christians complain of ongoing intimidation by Hindu nationalist, but the authorities refuse to investigate. For Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak, Dalit Christians are the victims of double discrimination.

On World Tourism Day, India opened a base camp on the Siachen Glacier, Ladakh, a Himalayan on the border with Aksai Chin. Tourists will be able to visit a martyrs’ memorial for Indian soldiers killed in war. Meanwhile, China is strengthening its military positions on its side of the border.

A webinar discussed ways to guarantee the essential rights to tribal people who lost their land, forcing them into outskirts of big cities. “Migrants in India they are like sheep without a shepherd,” said Redemptorist Fr Ivel Mendanha. The “Lord asks us to stand by” them.

In a small town in the district of Kandhamal, they were prevented from accessing the well and their homes were ransacked. Some have returned to live in the forest. The Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Msgr John Barwa: "Discriminatory, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

Negotiations are expected to close by the end of 2021. The signing of the agreements at the beginning of the new year. Petrochemicals, textiles, jewelry and medical equipment areas of interest. Minister of the Emirates: the aim is to "strengthen our position as a global gateway to Africa, Asia and Europe". 

The US president spoke to the United Nations General Assembly. India will once again play a role in vaccine production, resuming exports next month. At least 45 per cent of Indians got a first dose.

Sister Jophy Jose, superior of the convent of the Sisters of the Mother of Carmel, went before the High Court with other farmers because animals are destroying their crops. “We could not keep silent,” she said.

Brainchild of the Diocese of Sindhudurg, the facility will care for the children following their mental, emotional and social development. For Archbishop Barreto, the children “must not suffer because of the situation of their parents”. They must have a “safe haven”.

India seized the cargo at the port of Mundra in Gujarat. The drug was being imported as talcum powder. In 2020 Afghanistan’s poppy growing area increased by 37 per cent. As India boosted land border controls, smugglers shifted to sea routes.

The revenue department in a local district sent a letter the members of the clergy of the Shalom Mission Church asking them to present personal documents and certify that their conversion did not take place by force. For Auxiliary Bishop Paul Muniya, “conversion takes place in the mind and the heart; we do not force anyone to become a Christian.”

Schools are still closed in many states and access to remote learning is still difficult. In rural areas, only 8 per cent of rural students are attending e-classes. The average level of education is getting worse while the gender gap is getting wider. For experts, schools must be reopened now to avoid a disaster.

After four years of legal wrangles, the High Court acquitted Fr George Mangalapilly. Hindu extremists had accused him of forcing residents of a village to convert via Christmas carols sung by a group of seminarians. Certain of his innocence, the priest is relieved of the verdict.

Oscar Fernandes, who hailed from Karnataka, died yesterday at the age of 80. A leading member of the Indian National Congress, he served as a minister in the Singh government. For Cardinal Gracias, India “lost a true patriot” who ““always upheld Gospel values in public.”

Hindu extremists disrupt another Christian prayer meeting. Christian clergymen are arrested in Azamgarh district. For Sajan K. George (Global Council of Indian Christians), anti-Christian attacks “continue to grow and are reaching alarming proportions” with the divisive anti-conversion laws used as a pretext.

Indians and Australians want to increase military cooperation. Both countries have open disputes with Beijing. Exercises also in the Quad. Indian expert: Dialogue between India, Australia, the US and Japan goes beyond responding to the Chinese threat. China is India's biggest trading partner.

For the court, called to rule on a request for termination of pregnancy in the 31st week, there is no reason to treat an unborn child differently from a born child. For Dr Carvalho, this “is not primarily a religious position, but a human one.”

On the same Sunday, a Pentecostal clergyman was arrested in Madhya Pradesh and another beaten up in a police station in Chhattisgarh. For the Global Council of Indian Christians, a “fundamental human right such as freedom of religion continue to be denied in a secular country like India”.

An outbreak is reported at the start of the monsoon season. Three doctors in the Firozabad district are suspended for negligence. Local authorities plan to send health workers door-to-door and spray anti-larva liquid.

Girls aged 13 and 14 are raped and killed by members of upper castes. Families and the elderly are tied up and beaten. For Archbishop Machado, such violence is “inhumane” and must be “recognised as a serious violation of human rights”. Silence by political parties over the mounting atrocities is “disconcerting”.

His funeral was held this morning. The Indian government deployed troops and blocked the Internet to stop protests. Al-Qaeda includes Kashmir among the territories to be reconquered through global jihad. For top Taliban official Anas Haqqani, the new Afghan government will not intervene in the region. Extremists play the moderate card because they need international support and funding.

The Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod join the Laudato Sì movement. Starting tomorrow, they will undertake an initiative to mark the social encyclical Pope Francis issued six years ago.

In a televised interview, a Taliban leader suggests that trade with India could go through Pakistan. India pulled out its diplomatic personnel from Afghanistan but with 20 years of investments and US$ 900 million in exports at stake, it is holding a wait-and-see position. New Delhi is worried about jihadist infiltrations in Kashmir. New rockets fall in Kabul this morning. Local media say that children were among the victims of yesterday's US raid.

Right-wing extremists are behind the violence. The false accusation of proselytising unleashed the attack. A 25-year-old clergyman and his family were the target. For GCIC president, the mob carried out “deliberate acts of violence even against women”. Scriptures and sacred books were torn up, wounding Christians’ religious feelings.

Despite objections, the Synod decided to go ahead with the introduction of the single mode of celebrating the liturgy, which will see the celebrant turn towards the faithful in the initial rites but then turn towards the altar in the central part. Some exceptions will be allowed in eparchies where there are more opponents, but only until Easter 2022.

Some priests and believers are against a uniform mode of celebrating. Pope refers to the issue in a letter. Fr Paul Thelakat attacks the “dictatorship of uniform thought” and notes that Catholicism - as Francis says - favours “unity in diversity”.

Along with five nuns and Father Giovanni Scalese, the head of the missio sui iuris in Afghanistan, the kids landed yesterday in Rome. Italy’s airlift also brought out 15 associates of the Pro Bambini di Kabul charity and their families, whose lives were at risk. As for the others left behind, “we do not know how to help” them, said the association’s president Father Matteo Sanavio.

This was announced by the Japanese Health Minister after "foreign substances" were found in some batches. In the rest of Asia, the rate of vaccinated population remains low. India, which may have reached the endemic stage, plans to return to exporting vaccines in 2022.

Three copies of the Guru Granth Sahib arrived in the Indian capital along with Afghan Sikhs. Despite the emergency situation, a special religious ritual was followed to get them out. Each book of sacred hymns is a "living guru". Concern is growing for Afghanistan’s cultural and religious heritage now in the hands of those who destroyed the Buddhas of Bamiyan.

A village chief led a mob of 250 against Christians who refused to give up their faith in Christ. During a prayer meeting, Hindu nationalists broke into a house-church accusing the Pentecostal pastor of engaging in conversion activities. The Global Council of Indian Christians asks: “Are we second-class citizens?”

Thirteen years ago, violence spread across Kandhamal district. A nun survived a rape during the anti-Christian pogrom to tell her story. “During the lockdown period I completed reading Holy Bible. I realise that the Word of God is reality for me,” she writes. Her community suffered so much, but now they “have a deeper faith”.

The court stayed the amendment to the State’s anti-conversion law introduced by Hindu nationalists if there is no fraud or coercion in marriage. This issue also touches other Indian states. For Father Babu Joseph, the ruling “does a good service to the cause of social justice.”

In 2008 seven Christians were arrested for the death of the Hindu guru who triggered the pogrom against Christians in Orissa. Victims of a sham trial, they were released on bail only after 11 years in prison. Yesterday the wife of one died. She had been a tireless campaigner for her husband's aquittal. Bishop Barwa: "We will continue her battle for justice".

Fr Jerome Sequeira works for the Jesuit Refugee Service, which has suspended all its activities. He and a fellow Jesuit are safe, but the Taliban “will come once they have fully captured all of the country. They have a list of all organisations”. Fr Robert Rodrigues is still in Bamiyan, in the central region. Jesuits in South Asia are in “contact with UN agencies for their evacuation.”

The family of Omana, 68, approached the local church priest for the Hindu rite because they had no room for a funeral pyre on their land. Fr. Varghese Mathilakathukuzhy and some volunteers didn't think twice and welcomed the funeral in the Catholic cemetery.

Religious institutes in India do not follow the government education system. A report by the National Commission for the Protection of Children's Rights advises the government to revoke the status enjoyed by minority schools. Fr. Babu Joseph: "Propaganda narrative".

On the “Day of Protest”, six Dalit leaders sent a request to the government for changes to the 1950 Order. Despite a 2004 petition, Dalits continue to be discriminated against. Several studies indicate that they would still be marginalised even if they converted to Hinduism.

The State Home Affairs Minister makes such a claim while reporting on state-wide femicides and rapes. According to the Global Council of Indian Christians, police make such accusations against Muslims. Meanwhile, tribal Christians continue to be discriminated.

School closures due to the pandemic are causing problems, says Venkataswamy Rajarapu, director general of the Street2School programme. Economic and cultural factors explain rising child abuse. The worst of the pandemic might be over, but a third wave is feared this fall.

In his morning Mass online, the Archbishop of Bombay marked the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, mentioning Pope Francis’s Amazon synod and Fr Stan Swamy, who gave his life for the cause of India’s indigenous people.

India's abortion law will be 50 years old on 10 August. Indian bishops are urged to promote a pro-life mindset in Indian society.

The priest had gathered in prayer with three other Christians when the attackers broke in. Accused of converting tribals by deception. Global Council of Indian Christians: 'After the approval of the anti-conversion law Christians have been targeted'.

The incident reportedly took place recently in the village of Telanga Para. Local Christians have also been accused of forced conversions. “Tensions and fear are high the village following this episode,” said Global Council of Indian Christians president.

The Arrupe Inn opened on the feast day of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, in Jamtalibari, home to ethnic Halam, "A vibrant and outward-looking” community, this according to Fr Jothi SJ.

A school run by missionaries has been falsely accused of conducting forced conversions. The controversy was sparked when the establishment expanded the school building. “We are at the service of the community without distinction of caste or creed,” said the local bishop.

Rallies and liturgies were held across the country to remember the Jesuit who died after months in prison on false “terrorism” charges. For Card Oswald Gracias of Bombay, this is a way “to keep alive in our hearts the desire to work for the poor and the abandoned.”

According to Rakesh Sinha, the religious are ruining Adivasi culture. Fr. Joseph: Christians have always dedicated themselves to the oppressed tribals and have not gained in terms of conversions, contrary to what right-wing extremists would have us believe. President of the Global Council of Indian Christians: Adivasis are animists, not Hindus.

To counter the demographic decline of the Syro-Malabar community, the Diocese of Pala will provide financial support to couples with five children. Those with at least four children will also receive other forms of aid. These families are among the most affected by the COVID-19 emergency.

The Dalit Christian Liberation Movement wants a Dalit to be picked as bishop for one of the local vacant dioceses before Mgr Rayappan is consecrated. Most Catholics in Tamil Nadu are “untouchables”. Only one diocese in the state is led by an “untouchable”.

At least 136 people have died from monsoon rains that ravaged the state for more than a week. The tribal missions of the Archdiocese of Bombay in Raigad district are among the most affected areas. Cardinal Gracias has urged the religious to mobilise and stay close to those who have lost everything.

Xi’s visit marks the 70th anniversary of the arrival of Chinese troops sent to occupy Tibet. The president wants to promote local stability, development and environmental protection. Tibetan government in exile slams Beijing for destroying Tibet’s identity, calls for renewed dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Deaths caused by floods in central China spark protests.

The law criminalises religious conversion, except in the case of "Ghar Wapsi", the reconversion to Hinduism. According to a report by International Christian Concern, 30 Christians were arrested in July, up from previous months.

A meeting by the Christian Solidarity Movement marked the anniversary of “Black July”, the event that set off the country’s civil war in 1983. India still has 107 refugee camps with 58,000 Tamil refugees who are not recognised as citizens in either India or Sri Lanka. Teaching ethnic groups to live together from childhood remains a challenge.

A crowd of 30 people stormed the small hospital run by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth in Mokama, terrorising patients. The violence was triggered by the failure to revive a 40-year-old man taken to the facility after he was shot and wounded.

At least a thousand phone numbers, including that of Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi, were found on the lists of possible victims of Israeli-made spy software sold to some governments. In the Indian parliament, the opposition calls for a parliamentary commission of inquiry. The case raises questions about the “evidence” found in Fr Stan Swamy’s computer. The Jesuit, who died from prison-related health issues, claimed that some files in his computer were not his.

The Indian congregation founded in 1921 by Fr Raymond Mascarenhas together with four young teachers marks its first a century. Today it is present in nine countries on three continents. In India it remains an important point of reference for the empowerment of women, especially in slums and villages.

Buildings collapsed from flood waters. Chembur and Vikhroli suffer the heaviest toll. Local parishes have opened their doors to those who lost everything. “I pray for the victims and the survivors,” said Card Gracias.

The bishop has appealed to Prime Minister Modi to rebuild the place of worship razed to the ground on July 12. Responsibility is being shifted between public bodies as to who ordered the demolition of the "illegal" building. The local priest said, "There was no warning. In the same area of public property there are also a temple, a mosque and another church that have not been touched.

A circular from the superintendent of police in Sukma district instructs all local stations to closely monitor missionary activities. The document “smacks of bias and arbitrariness,” said a former spokesman for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. “A police officer is required by the constitution to protect the freedom of individual citizens and guarantee their safety.”

As his poll numbers slump, Hindu nationalist Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is promoting population controls as a path for development. People from families with more than four members would be denied public benefits and banned from running for office. Meanwhile, India’s fertility rate is already dropping fast even without such measures.

According to local authorities, the church construction was illegal; however, the matter was before a court. For the Global Council of Indian Christians, “Christians are a discriminated minority”.

Rev Vinod Kumar, a former Hindu who became an Evangelical leader, was ostensibly killed out of “animosity”. Meanwhile, 15 rural Dalit families who became Christian were forced to “reconvert”.

John Barla becomes a Minister of State in the Ministry of Minority Affairs in a major cabinet reshuffle sparked by criticism over the government’s handling of the pandemic. A former tea plantation workers leader, Barla was elected in 2019 to the lower house of parliament with the BJP. For Archbishop Barwa of Bhubaneswar, the new minister “has the task to be the voice of the lost, the least, the last”.

Fellow Jesuits pay tribute to their confrere who died at the age of 84 after a long period of incarceration prison. A friend, Fr Mascarenhas remembers how he was “inspired after Fr Stan’s stint as director, when he went to work with” the marginalised in Ranchi. For writer Arundhati Roy, his slow murder “is a microcosm of the not-so slow-murder” of Indian democracy.

In the city of Raipur, a crowd of nationalists attacked the community of Pastor Firoz Bagh, who was detained by police for a few hours on charges of false conversion. “My church is a registered organisation,” Pastor Bagh said. “I have preached for 20 years,” he added. Now someone is trying to stop him while his coreligionists are being threatened.

The 84-year-old Jesuit, who was arrested on charges of “terrorism” for defending the rights of tribal communities in the state of Jharkhand, died today in a Mumbai hospital after contracting COVID-19 in prison. Saddened and anguished, Indian Jesuits will “take forward” his legacy.

Court ruling follows a petition on behalf of unemployed migrants who could not return to their villages due to the pandemic. The court calls on local governments to ensure food security for everyone in the country. For Jesuit clergyman, Father Jothi, the lack of papers should not be used to let those most in need go hungry.

People from different denominations are behind the celebration, set for the feast day of Saint Thomas the Apostle, the country’s first evangeliser according to tradition. The event is designed to stress that Christianity is not a foreign religion in India, as Hindu extremists claim. For Father Joseph, “Any effort to undo this great civilisational contribution is tantamount to negating the very foundation of India itself.”

Six arrests were made immediately after the change passed by the state parliament. Under the new version of the law, any conversion by marriage will be considered forced and relatives will also be prosecuted. Fears of minorities: "One more weapon in the hands of Hindu fundamentalists to threaten us".

An inspector and two officers involved in the case have been suspended. Mariyamma was taken into custody in connection with the theft of 200,000 rupees, reported by a local parish. For Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayat, the police must investigate, “but life has to be protected.”

 The case of two Muslims arrested in Uttar Pradesh on charges of converting 1,000 people to Islam has reignited controversy in India.  The Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad, which brings together 13 major Hindu religious groups, announces a summit. It also wants a law prohibiting couples from having more than two children.  The bishop of Lucknor Msgr.  Mathias: "Fundamental rights that cannot be questioned".

Two years ago, Hindu nationalists successfully saw the autonomy of the Muslim-majority state scrapped. The prime minister has called a meeting tomorrow with leaders of People's Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, a group of parties seeking a return to the pre-2019 status. Talks with Pakistan and pressure from Washington are pushing the Indian government to reconsider its options.

She had been arrested with her son on suspicion of theft in a village in the southern state.  Father Zackarias, former secretary of the Bishops' Conference commission against caste: "Deaths in detention are becoming more and more frequent. And the Dalits are the first victims".

A year after the clashes with Chinese troops on the border in the Galwan Valley, the parish of Raikia remembers a young man who was of the Indian soldiers who died. He “was a friend of all, Hindus, Christians and Muslims”, giving his life to defend others.

The 84-year-old Jesuit arrested in October on terrorism charges for his commitment to the tribals. In addition to Parkinson's, he contracted Covid-19 in prison and needed intensive care. On "temporary release" for treatement, but the Indian security agency continues to oppose his release on bail.

Sister Prema Chowallur, who has been fighting human trafficking for years, is behind the initiative. “[R]idiculed and humiliated,” transgender people are “forced into prostitution. Our goal is to [. . .]restore their dignity.”

Abraham Tagit Sorang, 24, succeeded with the support of his local Catholic association. On the roof of the world, he placed a rosary in the snow. Now he hopes trekking can create jobs in the area which still has many untouched peaks. For the Bishop of Itanagar, he is an example for all young people.

Paul Alois Lakra, 65, was the second bishop of Gumla, a diocese created in Jharkhand in 1993. For Archbishop Barwa, his death “is a big loss for tribal people” to whom he was committed.

A preliminary study by the Christian Medical College in Tamil Nadu involving fully vaccinated healthcare workers reduced infection by 65 per cent, even more among those affected by milder symptoms. For Card Gracias, “vaccination is an obligation for oneself and for others.”

Bishop James Thoppil of Kohima looks at efforts in his diocese. Although the Catholic Church lacks its own hospital, it is helping in other ways people who are sick or quarantined. In the diocese, a 50-hour chain adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ended today, the feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In a new attack in the district of Rayagada, Hindu fundamentalists have devastated the homes of Christians, forcing them to take refuge in the forest. The testimony of Nori Konjaka, one of the victims: "They can destroy our homes, but not our faith in Jesus".

A man who became Christian in the city of Gwalior was prevented by his niece from burying his mother. She filed a complaint with the local police against him for trying to “convert” his mother she was dead. “God knows the truth and he will grant her eternal rest,” said Fr Stephen, a spokesman for the local Catholic Church.

At the Fort of Imphal a joint initiative of Christians, Hindus and Muslims promoted by the local government. For the first day after in months, less than 100,000 new infections are registered. The mobilization of Catholic structures continues: at the Jesuit University of Calcutta offers 40 beds for sick people.

A picture of the president of the Congress Party, which was doctored to include a book titled ‘How to convert India into a Christian nation’, has gone viral on social media. For Sajan K. George (Global Council of Indian Christians), extremists are using conversions “to divert attention from the horrifying” COVID-19 disaster.

Fuel prices in India hit record highs after being blocked for local elections in March and April. Tax burden rises to 60% of distribution price. Concern over effects on small businesses in a country already on its knees due to the pandemic.

Across the country, the Indian Catholic Youth Movement has mobilised to help, from handing out food parcels to helping families bury or cremate their loved ones. Some speak about their experience, and people’s gratitude is hard to describe.

In a shocking statement, the Delhi High Court urged the government to give priority to younger people because 80-year-olds have already “lived their lives” and we must look to the future. For Fr de Sales,  “Every life is gift” to be respected, and the court should be concerned “about the weakest of society”.

Pope Francis picked a non-Dalit, Mgr Rayappan, even though most locals are Dalits. In Tamil Nadu, only one bishop out of 17 is a Dalit. Over the past year many rallies raised the issue.

Convicted of having "defamed the martyrs" of the border clash. Beijing declares four dead, but unconfirmed sources contest the number. Five other Chinese bloggers are under arrest on the same charge. The case of Wang Jingyu, a dissident who was arrested and then released in Dubai.

The end of May was marked by prayers streamed live from the Shrine of the Infant Jesus in the Indian state of Maharashtra. “It is the feast of the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth to  share the good news that she (Mary) was to be the mother of Jesus,” said Chaplain Fr Errol Fernandes.

The Jesuit priest, accused of “Maoist terrorism” for his commitment to the Jharkhand tribals, was hospitalised with COVID at the Holy Family hospital in Mumbai.  ”I am carrying on,” he said, thanks to prayers from all over the world.

To promote their Ayurvedic products, the hugely popular Ramdev and his associate Balkrishna accuse conventional medicine of being used to convert their followers to Christianity. For Father Joseph, it is hard to believe that anyone could express such hate rather than join the fight for a cure.

A mob of 150 armed people ransacked the place of worship in Bodoguda. Already last year 8 Christians had been wounded in an assault in the same village. Sajan K George (Global Council of Indian Christians): "Instead of investigating the perpetrators, the police threaten those who report the crime".

A man has died in a Dhaka hospital from a fungal infection that is affecting some of the patients who recovered from  COVID-19. Similar cases have been reported in neighbouring India. Bangladeshi authorities are calling for calm, but extend school lockdown and border closure with India.

The parents of Saneesh Joseph, who died last week in the sinking of a barge, have donated the compensation money they received to a relief fund and a library in Kerala. For Bishop Vadakumthala of Kannur, they are a great witness of faith.

The company plans to support families by paying medical expenses and children’s education as well. Other Indian companies have announced similar policies. Today India is the world epicentre of the pandemic with 26 million cases and more than 300,00 dead. Many states have run out of drugs and oxygen supplies.

Madhya Pradesh Hindu fundamentalists post a video claiming that a health worker invites people to pray to Jesus to save themselves from the pandemic. President of the Global Council of Indian Christians: "Artfully constructed false accusations against a person who puts their life at risk for that of others".

In a dramatic videoconference before the High Court of Mumbai, the 84-year-old Jesuit who has been in prison since October on terrorism charges, denounces the deterioration of his health: "Eight months ago I could eat on my own and walk, today I can no more. The hospitalization wouldn't change anything, I want the bail to return to my people. "

The priests and religious affected in a higher percentage than the rest of the population. The capuchin Fr. Mathew who is collecting the data: "Many even the 40-year-olds. Many nuns who died from the pandemic worked in rural areas where there is no adequate health care".

Weather forecasters issue a new warning just days after Cyclone Tauktae left a trail of death and destruction on India’s west coast. Some 37 bodies have been recovered after an oil installation vessel sank in the heavy seas.

Two ventilators and two oxygen concentrators arrived recently at St Joseph's, the diocesan hospital in one of the most COVID-19-affected rural areas. “Every home is affected by this sickness and people have no money to treat themselves,” Archbishop Gonsalves said.

The 84-year-old Jesuit, who has been in prison since October, was taken to a public hospital after his condition was reported. Despite the symptoms compatible with Covid-19, he was still subjected to the vaccination. His immediate release for health reasons.

More than 25 million coronavirus cases have been reported in the country. Many celebrities and  film stars are actively helping out, whilst some are laying on the beach in the Maldives. For its part, the entertainment industry in Mumbai is counting its losses as a result of the pandemic.

Dozens of people lost in the storm that crossed the Arabian Sea. On the west coast 24 deaths and serious damage. Mgr. Alwyn Barreto, bishop of Sindhudurg: "We are mobilizing to stay close to the affected families".

The pandemic is spreading in the Taloja penitentiary, where the 84-year-old Jesuit has been incarcerated for seven months. Inmates would not be provided with adequate assistance. His confrere Fr. Shantanam: "He has fever and a cold, they denied him the vaccination. The hope that prison does not become like Auschwitz".

Heavy rains are expected to last until Monday as cyclone hits India’s west coast from the Arabian Sea. In the fight against the pandemic, West Bengal is paying the price for election rallies held a few weeks ago. More than 2,000 bodies wash up along the Ganges.

The rising number of deaths caused by the pandemic is causing tensions involving Catholic cemeteries. For Sajan K George (Global Council of Indian Christians), burial rights cannot be denied. Despite international aid, people continue to die from a lack of oxygen supplies at a Goa hospital.

The world’s largest 400 cities, home to 1.5 billion people, face high or extreme environmental risks. Among the top one hundred, four out of five are in India and China. Plagued by pollution, flooding and heat waves, Jakarta tops the list.

The archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar presided over the rite of entrustment to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the house of the Sisters of Mother Teresa. Archbishop John Barwa: "We ask for the end of Covid-19 for her intercession and we remain close to the least even in sickness".

The editor of AsiaNews bids farewell as he returns to Hong Kong and China, an old and new mission. He gives thanks to God, to the AsiaNews staff, to friends and readers for their generosity. Mission in mass media is the “first areopagus” of contemporary mission.

Soumya Santosh, 30, was caring for an elderly Jewish woman who was also killed. Some 12,000 Indians work in Israel. For Father Nahra (Vicariate for Migrants), “it is always the poor who suffer the most in any war.”

The pandemic has spread from large cities to even the remotest rural areas. Meanwhile, the vaccination campaign is stalling with one million fewer daily vaccinations compared to a month ago.

Over a hundred corpses carried by the current in the Buxar district after being in the water for days. According to local authorities they are from Uttar Pradesh, where there is no longer room in the crematoria. WARNING: the article contains images that may hurt the sensitivity of some readers

The Archbishop of Bombay takes stock of the mobilisation with Caritas India. About a thousand Catholic hospitals are “at the forefront”. The Church is “coordinating financial aid to buy more ventilators” and “our schools will operate as isolation and quarantine centres; our institutions as vaccination centres”.

The archbishop emeritus of Guwahati speaks about the tragedy of the pandemic in his country: "They did not listen to the expert’s alarms: their political agenda took precedence over the protection of the people. Will the premier at least have the courage to apologise?".

Jesinta Nayak, a survivor of Hindu extremist violence, said that the intercession of Mother Mary can help overcome the current ordeal. Today is a day of fasting and prayer against COVID-19, as announced by Card Oswald Gracias, president of the Bishops' Conference.

Indian Buddhists in Ladakh celebrate the Panchen Lama’s birthday, renewing the call for his release. Chinese authorities grabbed him and his family 26 years ago, and still hold him at undisclosed location.

The prelate, 65, died after struggling with the disease for a month. His death follows that of Archbishop Emeritus Antony Anandarayar, of Pondicherry and Cuddalore.

Pope sends a message to Card Gracias expressing “solidarity and spiritual closeness”. He writes that he is praying for the healing and consolation of those affected by the pandemic, and is grateful to the Catholic community for its work of “charity and fraternal solidarity”. Italy sends oxygen plant for 100 beds to a hospital in Noida.

In the last 24 hours the country has reached a new record of 412,262 new infections and almost 4 thousand victims with a rapid increase in Karnataka. Archbishop Peter Machado: "We open up our facilities to patients who need assistance".

Rosy Saldanha suffers from diabetes and has mild paralysis. Despite this, she asked her husband Pascal to share oxygen cylinders with those suffering from the coronavirus. The couple sells jewelry and other property to help those in need. “Always help the poor and needy”.

It is too early to say whether the new wave has reached its peak. The Modi government is slammed for the lack of transparency in allocating international aid. Indian authorities only now authorise the evaluation of the Pfizer vaccine.

Setback for Hindu nationalists of the BJP in regional elections held despite the pandemic. In Calcutta the head of the outgoing government triumphs, leading a local party. Archbishop D'Souza: "She knows the needs of the people and she is a friend of the poor".

Hospitals full, shortage of oxygen cylinders, overcrowded crematoria, improvised pyres to burn the dead. Criticism of Prime Minister Modi. Vaccines in short supply.

The monastery in the heart of the country most affected by the coronavirus today has a story to tell. All the sisters have been infected, but “We are now on our feet, recovering”.  Despite the hardships, “We experienced God’s Providence through the overflowing generosity of people.”

Top court overturns attempt to muzzle social media that criticised the government for deaths caused by oxygen shortages and rising vaccine prices that will harm the poor. In Tami Nadu, High Court asks what the central government has done in 14 months to prevent the disaster.

Vietnam’s deputy foreign minister and India’s ambassador meet in Hanoi, pledging to renew mutual support. Shipping oxygen, medicines, drugs and equipment is under consideration. About a thousand Vietnamese nationals have been repatriated in the past few days. ASEAN and India expect bilateral trade to reach US0 billion next year.

A new pilgrimage was confirmed and then suspended despite the experience of the Kumbh Mela. West Bengal to the vote as the country hits a new death record in the past 24 hours. Father Joseph: "Medical aid is coming from the countries that fundamentalists usually attack".

The official death toll tops 200,000 for the whole country, but evidence suggests that real number is probably much higher. “COVID-19 deaths in hospital are recorded, but many die at home,” said Bishop Thottumarickal. “Many of these deaths could have been avoided if we had had adequate stocks of medicines and oxygen,” noted Father D'Souza.

Oxygen concentrators will be delivered by the weekend. India is grappling with a dramatic surge in infections. Indian antidotes against the coronavirus for Paraguay, a Taiwan ally that China courts with "vaccine diplomacy". Beijing has also promised health support to Indians.

Despite the wounds of the past, Pakistanis send messages of closeness to India. Pakistani authorities are worried about the rising numbers of cases at home. The Pakistani military is enforcing protection measures in cities. Schools and offices have already been closed in Sindh province.

The Jesuit prison has been in prison for more than 200 days for defending tribal people. For Father Prakash, today celebrations are about Fr Stan’s courage and the gift he represents for so many people, especially for the poor and excluded.

The disease has taken the lives of a young missionary from Kandhamal district and the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. For Archbishop Barwa, we are in God's hands, and must continue to serve our brothers and sisters.

In Gujarat six pages of funeral announcements in a city where according to the government there are only 13 victims of the virus. In the abandoned lands of Mumbai improvised pyres to burn the bodies. The New Delhi High Court: "It is not a wave, it’s a tsunami".

In order to avoid a new wave of the pandemic, Indonesia banned the mudik, the mass exodus of millions of people who leave their towns and cities days and weeks before Eid-al-Fitr to visit their family and relatives in their hometown.

In the country there are more than 300 thousand infections and over 2 thousand deaths from Coronavirus every day. Fatal accidents occur in collapsing healthcare facilities. Criticism of Prime Minister Modi: It's pointless being the pharmacy of the world when you can't heal your own people".

The lasted wave is getting worse with 314,835 new cases, the highest in the world for a single day since the start of the pandemic. Makeshift crematoria are set up along the Ganges, while oxygen cylinders are transported under escort for fear of looting.

The solidarity of Catholic families is helping more than 2,000 people unable to pay for hospital care. The Corpus Fund was set up by Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Percival Fernandez who today celebrated the 20th anniversary of his episcopal ordination.

Members of various religions donate blood in one of the cities most affected by the new COVID-19 surge that is bringing the country to its knees. Some people accuse the government of hiding the true number of deaths. “People are dying in the streets,” said Father Mathew. “People are burning bodies of the dead everywhere.”

She takes care of migrant workers left penniless by the lockdown, far from home. For her work, the Archdiocese of Bombay acknowledged her defence of life by giving her the Lily and Rose Award. The pandemic has led to “alarming levels of vulnerability, indignity and exclusion.”

As the country reports another record number of deaths, the prime minister speaks about the pilgrimage to the Ganges. Hindu groups call for a halt, following the death of one of their leaders who died from COVID-19 after taking part in it. The Uttarakhand government wants to still go forward, but shuts down swimming pools as an anti-virus measure.

India’s Supreme Court put on hold the arrest of two nuns and a nurse working at a hospital in Ashta run by the Sisters of St Joseph. However, the facility remains closed after a woman and her baby died last December. Hindu extremists have put pressure on a facility that has cared for thousands of people.

The daily toll tops 200,000 cases a day. The pandemic is spreading rapidly even outside Maharashtra, the most affected state. A curfew will come into force in the capital on the weekend. Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine gets the green light. Local production of AstraZeneca is far below three 3 million doses a day.

In New Delhi, Muslims turn to the High Court to reopen a mosque for Ramadan. Uttarakhand's chief minister dismisses comparisons, claiming that the sacred Ganges will stop the virus.

The Hindu pilgrimage is taking place without social distancing and with few people wearing masks while schools and shops are closed. For Father Mathew, the government’s hypocrisy is evident.

In Raikia parish, Father Purushottam Nayak led the liturgy in the presence of Antita Pradhan, widow of one of the martyrs of persecution in 2008 in Odisha.  The cause of beatification of the victims is ongoing.

Delhi and Rome agree on compensation decided by international court. More than US$ 290,00 have already been paid out. The two marines will go on trial in Italy. The fishing boat’s owner will also be compensated.

People are crowding trains out of Mumbai trying to beat any new lockdown. The railways have denied reports that it plans to stop its trains. For the fourth consecutive day, the number of cases in India tops 100,000. Despite export controls, many Indian cities are beginning to run out of vaccines.

China sold and donated some 80 million doses to 60 countries. Its lead was facilitated by export controls by the European Union and India. Chinese vaccines have not yet been licenced by the World Health Organisation. Beijing will have trouble producing enough vaccines for itself and others. As a geopolitical tool, vaccines might flop.

Rajendra Dwivedi is in prison for comparing on his blog the salvation of Jesus and what is revealed in the Vedas and Upanishads. For Sajan K. George, of the Global Council of Indian Christians, “The accusation of hurting religious sentiments is the new mantra for right-wing nationalist forces who seek any pretext in their offensive against religious minorities.”

Despite the pandemic, various Christian denominations come together again as a sign of hope for the whole city. For Archbishop Thomas D'Souza, “we should not be in despair nor give up.”

The Indian metropolis struggling with the new peak of infections from Covid-19. The cardinal presided over the rite streamed live online from the cathedral without the faithful in attendance. "Today is the day of repentance, but also of forgiveness". The virtual blessing with the relic of the True Cross donated by the city of Brescia.

A study by Pew Research Center indicates that India has 75 million more poor people, with the middle class losing a third of its members. “The regression started with the announcement of demonetisation,” said Jesuit Irudaya Jothi. The “lockdown was a death knell for an already bad economy”. At Mumbai’s St Catherine's Home, “Rising poverty and hunger can be seen by the long lines outside the gates” of the establishment.

Academics, activists, writers, directors, religious and other prominent people have signed an open letter against the court’s decision to deny bail to the 84-year-old Jesuit, who has been in jail in Mumbai since last October on terrorism charges. In reality, his legal woes are due to his support for tribal rights. “Stan Swamy is a symbol of the plight of thousands of undertrial prisoners”.

Thousands of Myanmar refugees, including policemen, have fled to neighbouring India. In Manipur, state authorities have been forced by public opinion to rescind an order to turn back refugees. Some 3,000 Karen fled to Thailand because of air strikes, and are stranded at the border.

With a surge in cases and Mumbai on the verge of a general lockdown, the Modi government is limiting exports and speeding up the domestic vaccination campaign. The export of some 40 million AstraZeneca doses from the Serum Institute of India will be delayed. The latter blames the US, which has banned the export of the raw material used in making the vaccine.

Demonstrations against the Indian premier’s participation in celebrations for the 50th anniversary of independence and the centenary of the birth of Mujibur Rahman. Islamists accuse him of persecution of Muslims in India. Modi: "Collaboration between our two countries is fundamental for the development of South Asia."

Farmers have been protesting over the past four months against a reform promoted by Prime Minister Modi, blocking railway tracks and a highway linking the federal capital to Uttar Pradesh. Talks between the farmers’ unions and the government are at a standstill. Industrialists complain that the post-pandemic recovery is being jeopardised.

The Carmelite Monastery in Mumbai celebrated Sister Mary Joseph Radha. She was baptised in secret in the archbishopric’s chapel after encountering Christianity in school. “Among millions of people Jesus chose me to become Catholic,” she said, “and now, 50 years later, my heart is filled with gratitude”.

India reports a jump in cases and deaths to levels not seen since last autumn, especially in Maharashtra. The central government is calling on states to put restrictions on gatherings for  the Hindu festival of Holi in the most affected states. Meanwhile, two local variants of the coronavirus have been identified, which might have already spread.

Accused of trying to convert two young women, the nuns were taken into police custody amid shouts and threats. They were released after priests and a senior police officer intervened. For the Syro-Malabar Church, the attack was a “planned attempt to harass and abuse the nuns”, a show of intolerance towards other religions. The Church wants the culprits punished.

The Special Court rules that the 83-year-old Jesuit with Parkinson's, in prison for 150 days, cannot be released pending trial. The National Investigation Agency considers human rights organizations to be terrorist formations. The Jesuits had promoted a day of fasting in view of the verdict.

Catholics and Anglicans of the Church of South India together for a Lenten initiative promoted in the church of Saint Francis Xavier in Bejai. The parish priest Father Saldanha: "The Cross gathers us together as a single community to meditate on its message"

Worldwide, drop of 54 million. The poor are growing: 131 million globally, 60% in India. At least 30 million Chinese now categorised in the low income bracket. China has not eradicated poverty despite recent proclamations by Xi Jinping.

Sister Baghya had filed a complaint against her accuser. The nun will have to cooperate with the investigation. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, “everything can be exploited and distorted by anti-conversion legislation used as a political tool by religious nationalists.”

About 58.4 million doses have been exported to 71 countries. India’s “vaccine diplomacy” is in open competition with China’s. In the meantime, the vaccination campaign at home is slowing just as the number of cases surges, reaching new highs since the beginning of the year.

The current ban on entry into China is of particular concern to 23,000 Indians studying at Chinese universities. The announcement will bring them little relief as vaccines produced in China are not available in India. China's Foreign Ministry said Monday that China is willing to carry out mutual recognition of vaccination with other nations, but this process is expected to take time.

The construction of 144 housing units received the green light. The project will cost US$ 1.5 million. The initiative will benefit all pilgrims, because faithful of other religions also pray at the Marian shrine. Plans are being vetted to reopen travel links between Jaffna and Chennai after the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 42 per cent of world-wide weapons sales are made in the Asia-Oceania region. Russian and Chinese exports decline, those of the US, France and Germany increase. Imports boom in the Middle East. It is hard to know if growth will resume after the pandemic.

Rodney Borneo, former principal at Loyola High School, joined the Hindu nationalist party to stand in local legislative elections. The Archdiocese of Calcutta suspended him from the ministry with immediate effect. For Archbishop Thomas D'Souza, it is “a very sad fact”.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India released a paper providing answers to the ethical questions raised by coronavirus vaccines. “Those who take the available vaccines have only a ‘remote’ and ‘passive’ cooperation with the use of cell lines from aborted human foetuses,” the paper reads. “Due to the serious nature of the disease, and deaths involving vulnerable groups, vaccination can also contribute to the control of the pandemic and the common good.”

The Secretary General of the Bishops’ Conference, a former undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, speaks about the journey by Christians and Muslims noted by the Pope in his trip to Iraq. Asia is multireligious. “The approaches must differ,” writes the prelate. “But there is no alternative to dialogue. It is a do or die, survive or perish situation.

Hindu nationalists in the state legislature voted the bill on 8 March as a gift to women. For the president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, the law “promotes hatred, divisions and tensions between different communities”, and endangers vulnerable minority Christians.

The Missionaries of Charity run a home for poor women, the poorest, most marginalised and vulnerable women in Cuttack Bhubaneshwar. For Archbishop John Barwa, the nuns are “a powerful witness of faith, service, commitment and dedication.”

“I want to encourage everyone to take the vaccine. It is easy, it is painless and comfortable,” the cardinal said. “I am so proud of our country. I am proud that India has taken the lead; not only concerned about itself but also concerned about other countries. We are sending the vaccine also to other countries that are needy.”

The ship with 81 refugees was rescued by the New Delhi coast guard which refuses to allow it dock and wants it to return to Bangladesh. The Dhaka Foreign Minister: "We are under no obligation". Already eight dead on board.

Indians depend on Chinese manufacturing. Two-way trade stood at US$ 77.7 billion in 2020, more than with the United States. Modi’s autarchy has yielded no results. Border disputes could exacerbate divisions. Joe Biden is pushing for an anti-Chinese alliance.

A law approved criminalising religious conversion and denying bail to those accused. The bishop of Lucknow: "The anti-conversion law goes against the fundamental right to profess, practice and spread one's religion". "Shrewdly, 'Ghar wapasi' (conversion to Hinduism, editor's note) is not considered a forced conversion while in reality it is there that force, intimidation and threats are used to reconvert".

The complaint filed after a school suspension for harassment. The bishop speaks of "lies" fabricated out of “revenge". It all started with the reaction of a Hindu teacher who instigated the complainant because of the delayed payment of her salary.

The 83-year-old Jesuit is set to make another appeal. Suffering from Parkinson's, he is in prison on terrorism charges. Two days ago, the Bombay High Court ordered the release of poet and activist Varavara Rao, 80, for health reasons, in prison since August 2018 for the same reasons. For Father Mascarenhas, a “government that cannot tolerate democratic dissent can so easily abuse” security laws.

Anti-conversion laws are not “deterring people”. Many, “including lay Hindus, ask us why the government is so afraid of Christianity,” said Archbishop Leo Cornelio. These laws “are instruments of persecution targeting Christians,” explained Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians”.

The Diocese of Bijnor in Uttarakhand remains mobilised to help residents in Chamoli District, devastated by a disaster two weeks ago. Concern is growing about by a developing lake in high  altitude. If it should give way, it could cause a new flood downstream.

Father Raju Vandanam Koppula, a 48-year-old Indian missionary with PIME, had been in Brazil since 2006. During the pandemic he brought aid to the people of the Jardim Itajai favela, where he had opened a parish chapel two years ago.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India held a Day of Prayer to express closeness to the victims of sexual abuse of minors and raise awareness of the problem among the faithful. For Sister Arina Gonsalves of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, this provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the scourge of “sexual abuse” that “continues in our society, especially in the digital world” and to reiterate the Church’s “zero tolerance” policy towards the offence.

The three minors had gone out to gather forage near the family farm. They had their hands and feet bound. Police: perhaps victims of poisoning. It is not the first case of gender-based violence in the area. Bishop Nayak: “A brutal crime. Dalit women victims of continuous discrimination "

The cardinal recalls the beginning of the period of penance, a 40-day "journey" in solitude and prayer. And he adds: "Be generous with the poor, go in search of the needy, we are one family". Christ, he adds, "gives us a small space to be part of his work of redemption".

The Dalit Christian Liberation Movement held public rallies and made appeals to the nuncio. Dalits complain of discrimination because only non-Dalits have been named archbishops, although Dalits represent about 75 per cent of Catholics in the archdiocese.

Data on coronavirus infections are at a minimum, especially in the capital, although there is more uncertainty in Mumbai. Serological testing show that there was a very wide circulation of the virus. Doctor Carvalho: “Immunity is widespread. Even without following the rules, most are willing to take a chance with the hope that they will be among the 95% who will recover without great problems."

Archbishop John Barwa inaugurated the new extension of a middle school in Balliguda, one of the villages most affected by the 2008 anti-Christian violence. Let it be “a beacon of light for everyone,” said the prelate.

“Prayer is always alive, like an ember, even when our mouth does not speak. Every thought, even if apparently 'profane', can be permeated with prayer ". At the end of the general audience, Francis invited people to pray for the victims of the landslide in India and made his wishes for the Lunar New Year.

Card. Oswald Gracias prays for the victims and for the rescue of the missing. Caritas India takes action to help the authorities involved in relief efforts. There are currently 14 dead, swept away by the wave of water and mud that destroyed two dams. A Catholic mission on the spot tries to assess the extent of the damage.

Father Babu Joseph, SVD, talks about the arrest of nine people who attended a service in Madhya Pradesh. “In a democratic country, citizens should have right to exercise their freedom of worship,” but sadly, he laments, this “seems to be on the decline in India.”

Bishop Paul Toppo: "It is true that few people convert by their own free will and conviction, however they must undergo a two-year training course and also provide a legal affidavit of their intention to embrace the Catholic faith, nonetheless there are many fabricated conversion charges ".

The woman was called by her mother who said she was ill, but when she arrived she was locked up, taken to a clinic and had an abortion. For Fr Devasagayaraj, former national secretary of the CBCI SC/ST commission, this is a consequence of endogamy, which requires people to marry in the same caste.

The Day of Consecrated Life as seen by a nun who dedicates her life to sacred art. “In our Prarthnalaya Chapel, I realised that the image of Saint Paul was not present,” Sister Vimala said. “I was inspired to create an image of Saint Paul, something permanent and so I took up working in mosaic.”

Archbishop John Barwa led Mass for the tribal migrants from his region, helped by the Redemptorists during the lockdown. “We are the last, but God is faithful and never abandon us.”

The police want the camps on the outskirts of the capital to be cleared. Tension rises after the clashes on January 26th. The great demonstration of February 1st cancelled. President Kovind: the measure helps the farmers. Modi opposition supports the protests.

One protester dies while 200 police agents are injured in clashes. Prosecutors open investigation against 37 union leaders. Two major trade unions break ranks and will no longer participate in protests. For experts, India’s agricultural reform needs modernisation.

The anti-conversion law "has become an instrument in the hands of radical Hindu groups to harass Christian communities". The Church of Bophal denounces the violent violation of private property. Fr. Babu Joseph, former spokesman for the Indian bishops: "Hindu fundamentalists, capable only of creating chaos". "We Christians offer education, medical care, social apostolate, development for the poor, the marginalized, Dalits, tribals, women and children ... Why are these people targeting us?".

The archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar led the flag-raising ceremony, then celebrated a Eucharistic service of thanksgiving. The prelate stressed God's blessing and protection in this time of crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He reminded the faithful of the importance of caring for the environment.

In his Davos' speech, Xi asserts the winning strength of the "China model". Political stability at the cost of repression. Even the "US model", with its "democratic virus", has victims: immigrants, African-Americans, but also whites, small business owners, workers. Many victims of the globalized system were among the Washington demonstrators. The stock exchanges and the financial world are profiting from the Covid crisis. Financial power pulls the strings of both the "China model" and the "US model".

One demonstrator died, several were injured. The march violated the limits imposed by the authorities. The city center was occupied in conjunction with the parade for the Republic Day. The farmers are calling for the abolition of the land reform wanted by premeir Modi.

A letter to the brothers of the 83-year-old Jesuit who has been in prison in Mumbai for over 100 days for his work in defense of the tribals. Prime Minister Modi does not want to intervene on his case

Mgr Jacob Manathodath sent a letter to the CPI-M secretary in support of Isaac Varghese’s inclusion on the party list, a decision that has raised some eyebrows. For a former spokesman for the Syro-Malabar Church, “It is not good for a bishop or a priest to show public support” in politics. But in this case, the endorsement is an internal party matter.

Due to the pandemic, many meetings took place with very few people but with live streaming. Bishop Machado of Vasai stressed “prayer and commitment to reconciliation and unity among the Churches, in the human family and in creation.”

The wishes underline the desire to mend relations after the turbulent years of the Trump presidency. The Pope asks for "unfailing respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those who have no voice ". Iranian Javad Zarif: The Trump presidency ended up "in the garbage of history". The enthusiasm of Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen. The hopes of China.

China is nostalgic for Trump, the "gravedigger of US hegemony". Chinese experts: The US containment policy will continue, reinvigorated by the relaunch of relations with allies. The centrality of Taiwan. Seoul could break the anti-China front. The focus on East Asia pushes the new president to "neutralize" the Middle Eastern chessboard.

Mgr Sarat Chandra Nayak, bishop of Berhampur (Odisha), send his greetings to the new president and vice president of the United States. Hehopes that Harris, who hails from high caste family, will not forget to look at the destitute and downtrodden as well. The bishop asks both of them to bring light to “the darker sides” of India and the world.

In 2021, not enough people will be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Over 15 billion doses will be needed to immunize the world. China and India plan to help poor countries, but only after their own citizens. Developing countries face logistical problems. The UN has its work cut out.

The Italian nun, former superior general of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate died yesterday. In 1978, thanks to foreign and Indian aid, she managed to transform the Holy Family of Bandra from a modest nursing home into a missionary hospital. She did not remember the number of children helped to come into this world.

In Cuttack cathedral, four nuns expressed temporary vows, four expressed perpetual vows. The Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy were the first to work in Odisha. Their work ranges from education and healthcare to development, catechesis and evangelisation.

This year’s largest gathering in the world  started in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, raising fears that a huge increase in infections might follow. The UK variant of the coronavirus has been detected in the country. The vaccination campaign begins tomorrow with a Made-in-India vaccine.

Fr Purushottam Nayak, AsiaNews contributor, is tasked with the process. A list of 105 martyrs, including seven Catholics, is already ready. The rest are Christians from other denominations, Hindus, Muslims and more, killed because they helped, hosted, and defended their Christian brothers and sisters. Some widows tell their story. One of them is about Rajesh Digal, killed at 26.

Suffering from Parkinson's, he is accused of links with the Maoist guerrillas. A renowned Indian jurist says the country's courts lack humanity. Many citizens and the international community lobby for his release.

The stayed laws were passed in September and liberalise the agricultural market. Farmers were previously required to sell their crops to state marketing boards at a fixed price. According to the growers, the new rules would leave them worse off, making it easier for companies to exploit workers and help large companies cut prices.

For Archbishop Leo Cornelius of Bhopal, “This goes against constitutional principles and freedoms, and is a plan to systematically harass minorities, especially Christians.”

Millions of farmers oppose the changes. The Supreme Court appoints a committee to mediate between farmers and the government. Farmers’ unions plan to continue protest until the new laws are scrapped. For Bishop Vadakumthala, the country is being sold off to large multinationals.

The Court suspends the reform to protect workers, setting up a committee to resolve the dispute. Conversely, the Attorney General defends the government’s laws, opposed by tens of thousands of farmers.

The “quote” is found in a syllabus designed to prepare for a national cow exam, raising fears that it might trigger violence against Christians, Adivasis, Dalits, and Muslims. Other claims include: earthquakes are caused by slaughtering cattle and Africa is arid because cow dung is no longer used as fuel.

“Legal luminaries, eminent intellectuals, are questioning the legal validity of this ordinance, which touches the core of the constitution,” the prelate said. A pastor and some faithful are beaten and arrested.

A pooja, a major Hindu ceremony of devotional homage to a god, was held on the grounds of the Catholic Church in Sancoale, Goa. In his complaint, the parish priest cites the penal code, which bans deliberate and harmful acts meant to insult the religious feelings of a group.

The local archdiocese held the event in lieu of decorations and celebrations. Blankets, towels and protective masks were handed out. For Bishop Mascarenhas, marginalised rickshaw pullers have to fight for their survival. Archbishop Toppo thanked God for giving us such workers.

At least 465 families of daily labourers have been without work, wages, food and shelter for eight months due to the lockdown. Many of them returned to their villages of origin, 1,600 km away. The 196 families that remained in Vasai celebrated the Christmas of Jesus with those who take care of them, not only with food, but also by getting their rights respected.

The directive was issued yesterday. No more than 50 participants for each liturgical service; over 60 and children under 10 must stay at home. Card. Gracias, with a video message, asks the priests to reschedule the Masses: to increase their number and reduce their duration. Many prefer online participation. But the government gives go ahead to open to parks, tourist sites and sports centers...

For many, preparing for the festivity means setting up the nativity scene and baking cakes. But the true meaning of Jesus’ birth is to be close to those who are “in desperate need of assistance”. The story of Ms Esperance, mother of two disabled daughters and suffering from a spinal injury, is an example. Her days and nights in intensive care were filled with prayers for healing.

It won the largest number of seats on district development councils. It's the first vote since the region's semi-autonomy status was lifted last year. Support for the separatist cause remains strong. Protests by farmers in Delhi continue.

Fr Pascal Sinor, pastor at the Mary of Nazareth Church in Alibaug, is behind the initiative. Thanks to the social apostolate of the Church, a thousand tribal families will receive assistance for the celebration. To encourage the flow of worshippers, a large nativity scene was set up outside the church. Many Hindus are also praying before the baby Jesus.

The constitutional judges offer to mediate. The farmers refuse the proposed changes and demand the government repeal the law: they want a fixed minimum price. The union presents an application for its annulment in court.

Despite the poverty, families in Dalit villages contribute with their own money to church decorations and the crib. Unable to exchange gifts with others, they cook special meals for breakfast and lunch and share them with widows and the poor of their village.

India’s highest court has agreed to hear a petition by three members of the Kerala-based Malankara Orthodox Church. Under a 1934 rule, the Church requires its members to confess at least once year and enters the names of penitents in a register. The three petitioners claim that the confession is often used to extort money or sexual favours.

According to the anti-terrorist agency, the Jesuit priest is "directly involved" with Maoist terrorist movements (Naxalite) and in defence of the tribals. On December 21, the court will decide on his release on bail. In Washington, London, Italy and the Philippines, demonstrations of support for Fr. Stan.

"This year Fr Pascal gave us cereals and other necessities to celebrate Christmas and we are happy to be able to celebrate it even during this pandemic." "We have received these gifts for free, from the church of Mary of Nazareth, and we will freely share them with our neighbours".

Two plaster statues of the Virgin were smashed whilst the concrete statue of Mother Teresa was damaged. Police and the Minorities minister expressed solidarity. For Bishop Shyamal Bose: “This attack is puzzling. People of different faiths keep statues of Mother Teresa in their homes. Many NGOs and non-Christian clubs are named after Mother Teresa.” She is “an inspiration for her commitment to serve the poor”.

Tens of thousands have been camping outside the capital for weeks to protest against the land reform. They are calling for the abrogation of liberalization plans and a return to the previous "controlled" system. Large groups - protesters say - could impose too low prices.

The Archaeological Service of India (ASI) will begin restoration work on the Mastrillian Casket on 10 December. The latter contains the relics of the saint. The ASI Chemical Branch of Aurangabad, which specialises in conservation, is set to work with a mandate from ASI Dehradun.

For the archbishop of Vasai (Maharashtra), who has been involved in interfaith dialogue for years, news that the pope will travel to Iraq is a sign of hope for the world that has been paralysed by the pandemic, but it is also a sign for peace at a time of divisions and angst.

Rewarded for his work in a rural village, the prize winner brought school attendance up to 100 per cent changing the lives of many youth, who might have married as teenagers. He combines technology and a personalised system, which is now used throughout India. The educator plans to share the million-dollar prize with the nine other finalists.

Sajan K. George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, condemns the verbal attacks by Hindu nationalists against Christians during the ceremony. For a former BJP lawmaker, “The conversion of the Dalits and tribals to Christianity will be opposed tooth and nail.” Official data show however that claims about conversion activities are false, George explains.

Farmers are camped just outside the capital. Police have used water cannons and tear gas to stop protestors. Talks between government and protest leaders have stalled. Farmers are against full liberalisation. A minimum price for agricultural products will be guaranteed, Prime Minister Modi says.

A Missionary of Charity, the male branch of the order founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, recounts his experience during the lockdown, in paying attention to little things, in spending time with the poorest of the poor. The discovery of inner beauty and goodness in the leper and in the mentally ill. And this is Christmas.

In addition to masks, social distancing and hand washing, there is the risk of an "afternoon" Christmas Mass, or indeed none altogether: The European Union is suggesting the elimination of all liturgical celebrations, replacing them with online events! We argue about the time of Mass, while we are getting used to the fact that the state is a "healthcare" state that manages (instead of serving) our wellbeing. Christmas is the Life that enters darkness and the shadow of death: The Child Jesus of the oriental icons is wrapped as in a shroud, similar to that of Christ in the tomb.

In recent months, incidents and acts of violence have been escalating in the state in central India. For Sajan K George, “extremist fringe groups” are fuelling “suspicion and enmity” in order "to divide along communal lines amid growing tensions.”

“The Sisters serve those who are on the edges of the most remote peripheries of Odisha, in remote rural areas. They are witnesses to God's love, and spread the Gospel through words and social work.”

The decision comes Pope Francis. “For nearly ten years, he has targeted me (personally), the Church and the system,” Archbishop Cornelio said. “[T]his has left deep wounds in the diocese, and now the wounds of division can begin to heal.”

Farmers are marching towards the capital to protest against the recent agricultural reform, which liberalises agricultural markets. Small farmers complain that the new law favours large groups. For Prime Minister Modi, the new law will help tens of millions of farmers. The Catholic Church speaks out on the issue.

Archbishop Pallipparambil: "The recent trend in violence against women in the region is worrying." Likro Mossang, president of the Women's Association in the Diocese of Miao: adequate education and awareness is the right way to combat violence against women.

St George’s Orthodox Church in Cheppad is in middle of a dispute. Activists and Christian groups have launched a protest to save the building, including a hunger strike. The church’s 800-year-old apse contains prised murals and paintings. Under pressure, the authorities changed the original route, endangering the future of the church.

The priest of the church where the marriage was celebrated says that everything was by the book. But the “love jihad” remains an issue.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, many worshippers took part in Christ the King celebrations. Our Lady of Charity parish was vandalised in 2004 and 2008.

Due to the pandemic, with no means to store and transport the fish, the Catholic community of Uttan struggles to survive. State intervention requested. Young people risk abandoning the traditional activity of their parents. However, local fishermen have a great faith in God, which is strengthened in every situation.

“We have to ensure that all entering the Church wear masks, observe social distancing (unless it is the same family) and make provision for washing of hands.” “Priests may celebrate additional Masses both on Sundays and on weekdays to ensure, if possible, that all your parishioners have an opportunity to participate in the Eucharist at least once a week.”

In addition to Beijing, the 10 ASEAN nations, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand will take part. It covers 30% of the global  GDP and population. The signatory countries, hit hard by the pandemic, hope that the pact will help them emerge from the crisis. India refuses to join. The trade agreement will strengthen Beijing's geopolitical weight. The problem of social dumping.

Archbishop John Barwa of Cuttack Bhubaneshwar celebrated the Day with the Missionaries of Charity in Bhubaneswar. “This is a special day for our people who are the last, the least and the lost,” he said. The theme of this day was “Stretch forth your hands to the Poor”.

The Jesuit priest is accused of "Maoist terrorism" because he has always defended the Dalits and tribals in Jharkhand. He is locked up in the Taloja prison (Mumbai). The ills of age (83) and Parkinson's weaken him. But his friends and cellmates take care of him.

The Church in India has reached out to the poor during this pandemic. On this World Day of the Poor, we continue with the words of Mother Teresa: "Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love". We shall stretch out our hands to serve, hope and heal.

Pew Research Centre publishes its latest report. To restrain and control religious groups, political authorities increasingly use force - such as detentions, physical abuse, destruction of property, expulsion. More than 50% of the most restrictive countries are in Asia. Instead, the restrictions caused by society (individuals, groups, etc.) are decreasing.

In September the game was banned for national security reasons. The South Korean company that owns it replaced China's Tencent as its Indian distributor. The smartphone app has more than 70 million users worldwide. Indian psychologists warn that it is dangerous and addictive, especially for young people.

New Delhi is facing a spike in cases, 8,500 yesterday alone, for a total of 450,000 so far, with 85 deaths in one day (7,000 in total). Hospitals have a reached a breaking point. Restrictions like a ban on fireworks have been imposed for Diwali. Keeping a future vaccine at minus 80 degrees is a problem.

Faizal Khan, president of the Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God) organisation, offered a namāz (Muslim ritual prayer) in a Hindu temple in Mathura after he was given permission by temple officials. He was later charged with violating India’s penal code.

The vote was seen as a test on the government’s management of the pandemic: Bihar is among the most affected states by Covid-19. Poverty has risen by 55% in the two-year period 2018-2019; with a 52.5% illiteracy rate. However, religion and the caste system remain priorities for population. The threat of religious hatred.

He is one of the most important Jesuit priests of the 18th century. A Tamil poet, writer, translator and grammarian, he took the name of “Vīramāmunivar”, becoming the Father of Tamil prose.

Containing China remains the chief objective along with the North Korea conundrum and maintaining the status quo in Taiwan. Re-entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership possible. Pledge to restore the Iran nuclear deal and balance relations with Israel and the Palestinians.

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue released a message for Hindus on the occasion of Diwali. “Experiences of suffering and a sense of responsibility for one another have brought our communities together in solidarity and concern, in acts of kindness and compassion for the suffering and those in need.”

Chief Minister calls religious conversions to marry a “matter of concern”. Sajan K George fears that the law could be used against the Christian minority. For the Catholic Church, marriages contracted under fraudulent terms are invalid.

The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) is behind the action. The refusal to grant land and the arrest of Rev Joseph Singhi in early October triggered the protest. Temples, mosques, and monasteries dot the area, but no Christian church. For an ACF leader, this is a legal matter, not one pitting religions against each other.

Chinese troops allegedly built structures in an area bordering Tibet. The Nepali and Chinese governments deny this. India accuses China of seizing 300 square kilometres of Himalayan territory during the summer hitherto under its control.

The maternal grandparents of the Democratic presidential candidate are from Tamil Nadu. The Hindu propitiatory rite of "abhishekam" is celebrated. Dalit analyst: Harris's fight against racial discrimination in the US could help fight against the Indian caste system.

India has one sixth of the world population and one sixth of the reported cases. However, it accounts for only 10 per cent of deaths. Research by Indian scientists suggests that poor sanitation, lack of clean water and unsanitary conditions may have actually saved many lives from COVID-19.

Our online news agency receives over 20,000 individual visits per day. In 2020, as of November 1st we have had more than 7 million visitors. Reports into Islam and its evolution (or involution) around the world. Many are reducing the Nice attack to Islamic terrorism targeting Christians and call for a "crusade". “Religious wars" only serve the political powers. Benedict XVI: the enemies of peace are religious fundamentalism and relativism. The positivist pride that despises religion relegating it to the obscurantist wastelands of history, is just as dangerous as the beheadings of the Islamist terrorist.

More than 70 million voters are called to vote in three phases with official results announced on 10 November. The ruling coalition promises free vaccines for all in case of victory. The opposition focuses on jobs in one of India’s poorest states, badly affected by lockdowns. Distrust is strong among voters.

The Principal Br. Joseph: the pandemic made St Catherine "respond positively and find solutions, so that the education of poor children continues".

A group of young Muslims, descrated and danced on the cross, an act causing widespread concern. According to Msgr. Pamplani, Church leaders fear possibility of ISIS supporters being groomed in Kerala.

The auxiliary bishop of Bombay talks about his days in intensive care. “Every time I breathed in, I would say in my mind 'Jesus in me' and when I exhaled 'and I in Him'. This made me aware of God’s presence in my life and around me.”

The priest, activist and defender of tribals in Jharkhand, was arrested on 8 October.  He is 83 years old and has Parkinson's, but the court did not grant him release on bail.

These festivals are attended by millions of people and last from a week to a month. In addition to religious ceremonies, there are fairs, markets, cultural events, theatres. New security protocols from October to December: the advice for everyone is to stay at home. It is forbidden to touch, kiss, caress the statues of the deities. Social distancing for processions, restaurants, purification baths. So far Covid-19 has caused 116,616 deaths, out of a population of 1.35 billion.

The declaration of the bishops of Kerala. "The Pope has taught in the past that LGBT people are children of God and deserve special care and love." "The official position of the Pope is in complete accordance with the doctrine of the apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia" issued in 2016".

In the night between 17 and 18 October, 40 tombstones, crosses and statues of Our Lady were destroyed in the city of Tirunelveli. Catholics have received the solidarity of the population and political parties, except from the BJP, the ruling Hindu nationalist party.

At the international meeting ‘No one is saved alone. Peace and Fraternity’, the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople calls upon the world to overcome fundamentalisms and ideologies to rediscover the world as a "common home" as well as humans and reality as a "mirror" of God. This represent real "subversion,” ending the “absolute domination of human beings over the entire universe,” signalling the birth of "ecology as a sign of the presence of the divine in creation.”

This afternoon an interreligious meeting will be held in Rome, at Santa Maria in Ara Coeli and then in Piazza del Campidoglio, on the theme “No-one is saved alone. Peace and Fraternity". Pope Francis, Bartholomew I, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist representatives will be present. The scepticism of a part of the Christian world, which fears the birth of a "universal religion". The scepticism of the technocratic world, for which God has become useless.

The imam of the Nakhoda mosque: "if one brother is facing an injustice, the other brothers will not be silent spectators ...". Archbishop Thomas D'Souza: "He is a champion for human rights and the dignity of the poor and tribals ... therefore, we are here in solidarity, to tell him that he is not alone, we are with him". Father Felix Raj: Prophets Speak for the Poor, so does Fr. Stan. He has a spirit like Mother Teresa.

India’s most populous state leads in terms of religious intolerance and ranks first for anti-Christian violence. Radical Hindu groups have stormed private homes, interrupted liturgical services, and called in the police after accusing pastors and faithful of "forced conversions".

“Leaving” one's culture and one's country is possible only if one is rich in faith in Jesus Christ. This makes the difference. For many, the pandemic has meant closure, isolation, fear of contagion, disinterest, depression, nihilism. For many others it has meant reaching out, nurturing, comforting, consoling, crying, hoping. Missionaries are not just humanitarian workers. The greatest gift we can give to the world is not a little of our well-being, but faith itself.

University student says that at the age of 7 she had to hide in the jungle. “Being a Christian in the region is a great challenge. Thanks to my strong faith I have not forgotten God despite the threat to my life ".

Father Stan worked for decades to protect the land rights of tribal communities in Jharkhand. He now stands accused of involvement with a violent Maoist movement. The Jesuit clergyman is the latest of a group of 16 people arrested, including well-known human rights defenders Arun Ferreira and Sudha Bharadwaj, both lawyers, and Vernon Gonsalves and Varavara Rao, both writers.

According to an Indian Bahá’í leader, in his encyclical, “Pope Francis diagnoses the multiple illnesses of present-day planetary society and offers not only hope but numerous practical solutions stemming from his associations with the peoples of the world, be they heads of religious communities, heads of governments or states or simply ordinary folks, believer or non-believer.”

Appeal by the Indian Bishops' Conference for the liberation of the Jesuit, arrested for alleged links with the Maoist rebels. Fr. Swamy has worked for decades to defend the rights of tribals in Jharkhand.  Concerns for his health.  The Indian Catholic community has always contributed to the building of the nation.

Before the outbreak of the health crisis there were 753,000, over 200,000 in the US alone.  Sent back to India by their universities, they ask for a reduction in university fees, faced with paying large sums of money for online courses that often don't work.

The WFP was “a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict” reads the motivation. With the COVID-19 pandemic, 132 million more people could go hungry by the end of 2020. WFP supports some 97 million hungry people in 88 countries.

For over 50 years the Jesuit priest has been on the frontlines to defend the forest rights of the Adivasi in Jharkhand. For months he had been interrogated and faced with manipulated evidence. "This is an attack on the poor". Under the government of the BJP (Hindu nationalist), Fr. Swamy was also accused of sedition.

Theirs is an egalitarian community where elders are respected and listened to with much consideration and reverence. Tribals believe that the words spoken are very important as all their customs and traditions are passed down orally and it is easier for a tribal to accept the spoken Word of God .

Mother Marie Gemma, superior of an Indian Carmel, tells of the joy of sharing with the whole world. A Bible course for all the cloistered convents of the province.

“This is a time to reflect. The pandemic is a time for us to understand more and more our responsibilities. It is a wake-up call. We have to take care of everyone,” says Card Gracias. “There are no limits, no borders, no walls to our heart, to our emotions, to this Gospel passage. This is the example that Jesus gives us.”

According to the Verisk Maplecroft Index, China, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, India, the Philippines, and Cambodia violate personal privacy the most. Artificial intelligence and big data have been used to collect information during the pandemic. Governments need more transparency to reverse the trend.

Due to Covid-19, many schools have only distance learning, but poor families cannot buy the tools needed for their children. The desperation of the parents following their children’s suicides. The work of the St. Catherine of Siena School and Orphanage, Welfare Society for Destitute Children.

A special court acquits members of the Bharatiya Janata Party accused of planning the destruction of the Babri mosque in Ayodhya. For a Muslim lawmaker, the ruling is a black day in the history of India’s justice system and a victory of the extremist Hindutva ideology. Fr Anand Mathew IMS believes that now anything goes in India.

Out of 320 million young people of school age, only 23.8% have access to the internet. 66% of the Indian population lives in rural areas, where internet access is limited to 14.9% of the population. Teaching under bridges, or with speakers. Private schools risk closure due to late payment of tuition fees.

They include Lal Krishna Advani, Prime Minister Modi’s predecessor at the head of the Hindu nationalist party. 32 people acquitted for lack of evidence. In 2019, the Supreme Court assigned the area where the mosque stood to Hindus. Muslim group: We will appeal. Opposition forces: The verdict violates the Constitution and the law.

For Archbishop Machado, the demolition was an act of religious intolerance. The local parish had not applied to use public land. However, Hindu temples in the same locations have been left intact. This is the fourth time in the last six months that crosses have been pulled down in the Indian state. Catholics plan to take legal action.

The victims were beaten, had their heads shaved, and were forced to sing Jai Shri Ram (Victory to Lord Ram). The attackers came from neighbouring villages. Police arrested four people, and are still looking for another ten. For Christian activist, extremist groups attack using false accusations and spurious evidence, favoured by radical local administrations.

The Archbishop organized a press conference which was also attended by religious leaders of different faiths. The Hindus of India are not ready to accept any minority and even the lower caste Hindus are not safe there. A commission should be organized which also includes the United Nations and the Pakistani consulate.

For decades, the two Orthodox communities have been fighting for ownership of churches and property. The Jacobites are excluded because they are followers of a "foreign" rite (the Antiochene one). The dispute over the Church properties involves 1700 sacred buildings. After clashes, demonstrations and hunger strikes, the Keralan government has now opened a negotiation table to resolve the situation. The Catholic Church has opened its churches to the Jacobites.

The incident occurred overnight on Tuesday in St Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Mandapeta. The statues were damaged by hammer blows. CCTV cameras show an unidentified suspect. In recent months, several places of worship, including Hindu temples, have been the target of vandals.

Some 14 Christian homes are almost destroyed. Hindutva followers want to ban Christian residents from their villages in Chhattisgarh unless they go back to Hinduism.

The man was arrested whilst his wife was rushed to a hospital in Bareilly in serious condition by her family with the help of neighbours. Reports suggest that he wanted a boy and attacked his wife to find out if the foetus was male or female.

The "piecemeal third world war" denounced by Pope Francis is increasingly taking shape. A South Korean official was killed by the Pyongyang border forces. High tension along the Sino-Indian border: An Indian paramilitary of Tibetan origin has died. Clashes over fishing rights in the South China Sea.

The lockdown cuts domestic and foreign demand. Prices plummet by 60-70%, the most drastic drop in a decade. The textile sector employs 45 million people nationwide. Local authorities intervene, providing subsidies to producers.

NGOs will need an Aadhaar card to conduct financial transactions with abroad. To justify the bill, its proponents cite "forced conversions" by missionary Graham Staines, who was murdered with his two sons by Hindu radicals in 1999. Data by the Supreme Court show instead that conversions are incidental. For Sajan George, “citing the horrific murder of Staines and his children is a new low in humanity’s conscience.”

New legislation favours large monopoly groups, which will now be able to impose prices. Small-scale farmers want to continue selling their products through government bodies. For Card Alencherry, farmers should not be denied their rights. Liberalising the sector will create wealth, the government claims. Public agencies cannot compete with large corporations, experts say.

Seven of the victims are children. Another 20-25 are still trapped in the rubble. The building was over 40 years old and needed to be renovated. A building under construction also collapses in New Delhi. Accidents often caused by landslides due to monsoons. Msgr. D’Silva: The Catholic Church will do everything necessary to alleviate the suffering of the affected families.

Nine Al Qaeda members were arrested this morning, three in Kerala. Islamic State cells are present in Karnataka, Telegana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jammu-Kashmir. At least 21 Christian girls and young women have been caught up in IS’s “love jihad": after falling in love and converting to Islam, they engage in active terrorism.

Three Reddy upper caste priests are accused of attacking a Dalit bishop. They were suspended by the bishop himself; however, all three, currently out on bail, were reinstated by his successor.

Families cannot expect financial compensation. India so far has reported five million cases with more than 80,000 deaths. According to the authorities, more than 10 million migrant workers have returned to their villages. For Catholic bishops, migrants, tribal people and Dalits are being denied justice, equality and humanitarian care. To avoid discrimination, families and village leaders are refusing to disclose the cause of deaths in COVID-19 cases.

Members of the Yuva Shakti Sangathan accuse a Christian clergyman of trying to convert hundreds of Hindus. Rev Santosh Kannaujia denies the allegations. Local Christians gather only to pray. For the Global Council of Indian Christians, Hindu radicals think Indian Christians are second-class citizens.

For Prof Sumanasiri Liyanage, China’s growing presence in the region will increase tensions with India. Delhi and Washington are pressing smaller countries in the area, including Sri Lanka, to distance themselves from China. There are doubts about the benefits of the BRI for the poorest strata of the population.

Protestant organisations operating in Jharkhand, Manipur and Mumbai have been targeted. Some have been in the country since the 1950s. The Home Affairs Ministry has revoked their licences to receive foreign funds, making the groups’ work impossible. For Sajan K George, forced conversion charges are false and are designed to increase ethnic-religious tensions.

Archbishop Anil Couto officially recognised two new groups: the Santvana Missionary Brothers and Sisters. The first training seminars are underway, like those for the novitiate of men and women religious. Their primary task is to proclaim the Gospel among non-Christians. The Santvana community is also offering training and homeschooling in rural areas.

No casualties have been reported, but this is first time since 1975 that live ammunition has been used along the disputed border. The two sides have been concentrating troops in Ladakh and Tibet since May. Both oppose road construction on the other’s side of the border. India has accused China of abducting five young Indians from Arunachal Pradesh. Delhi could play the "Tibet card" in talks. For an Indian expert, the ongoing actions are just a symbolic show of force.

The encounter with Jesus is in the Eucharist and the poor. Mother Teresa taught with words, deeds, and the example of her life. The archbishop of Calcutta spoke on the feast day of the foundress of the Missionaries of Charity. Here is an excerpt from his homily.

So far, 4,204,613 cases have been reported with 71,642 deaths. India’s mortality rate is 1.72 per cent, far less than that of Brazil and the United States, which is 3 per cent, or worldwide, which is 3.2 per cent. The government is trying to revive the economy, which has suffered a severe blow, with millions losing their job and going hungry. Over a million people are tested daily.

On the Mother’s feast day, the superior of the Missionaries of Charity noted that “Mother's heart reflected the Heart of God.” Archbishop of Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta underlined the nuns' commitment to the hungry, the poor and the sick from COVID-19. “Many a COVID warrior [. . .] are in some way or other inspired by the life and example of Saint Teresa of Calcutta”.

The video game is seen as a threat to the health and social life of young people and children. More than 36 million Indians have downloaded it to their smartphones. For analysts, India’s ban is in retaliation for clashes with China over the Himalayan border. PUBG detractors call for action against app addiction.

In a speech, Kafeel Khan had criticised India’s new citizenship law, which discriminates against Muslims. For the court, the doctor did not threaten national security. He laid bare the mismanagement of public health service. For friends and colleagues, he is a symbol of the fight against religious oppression. For the ruling party, he is in the service of the opposition.

Pahunch coordinator Goretti Xalxo talks about her experience. The lockdown turned poor menial workers into refugees overnight. They received material support, health information and help to get home.

For the first time, a Chinese university is ranked 20th in the world. Some 63 Indian universities are also among the top 1,500. Oxford University is still first, but the US dominates with 8 out of 10. Hong Kong and South Korea are in good positions.

For Card Gracias, his death leaves a great void in the country's political life. Card Alencherry cites his commitment to national unity and religious harmony. Analysts highlight his skills as negotiator, as well as his controversial tenure as finance minister. No Indian president has rejected as many applications by death row inmates as he did.

Tomorrow is the 12th anniversary of the 2008 anti-Christian pogrom and the Kandhamal Martyrs' Day. The aim of the celebration is so "we never lose hope in life, whatever difficulties we may encounter".

The first coronavirus case was reported in April with serious health and economic consequences. The lockdown has left transgender people, rickshaw drivers, migrant workers and day labourers hungry. In Assam the Church’s North East Diocesan Social Service Society has helped 43,738 families. Recent flooding has compounded the ongoing coronavirus emergency.

Hindu extremists beat two pastors with sticks and kicks after dragging them out of a house. they also took some Bibles and a mobile phone. In Uttar Pradesh, police arrested a pastor for allegedly engaging in forced conversion.

NGOs accuse the AIIB of not respecting its social and environmental pledges. In India and Bangladesh, entire communities have been forcibly relocated to build new infrastructures. The European Union calls for respect for international standards.

For the anniversary, a Mass was celebrated in the chapel of the Motherhouse of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, next to the tomb of the Mother. The homily of Fr. Dominic Gomes, vicar general of the archdiocese. "Mother Teresa highlighted the deepest meaning of service - an act of love towards the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the prisoner (cf. Matthew 25: 34-36) is done towards Jesus himself" .

Priests have given up part of their allowance to provide food and coronavirus kits to those in need. About 33 per cent of Bihar residents live below the poverty line. Some 1.3 million unemployed migrant workers need help. The Church is committed to fighting illiteracy.

In 2008, Hindu nationalist violence destroyed 395 churches and places of worship of Adivasi and Dalit Christians; 6500 houses.  At least 100 people killed; 40 women raped, harassed and humiliated; schools, social services, health centers destroyed or vandalized; more than 75 thousand people displaced; many cases of forced conversion to Hinduism. Until now, no criminal jailed. Out of 3,300 complaints, only a few hundred accepted. Many families are unable to return to their villages of origin for fear of being killed

Due to pandemic-related health regulations, the synod was held via videoconference. Some 61 bishops joined in from all around the world. Participants called on the “faithful to increase the nation’s production capacity, encouraging agricultural and industrial activities.” They also urged cooperation with the authorities to help society’s poorest, irrespective of caste or creed. Since the start of the pandemic, the Syro-Malabar Church has spent US$ 7.3 million to help the poor.

Under a 2019 reform, 10 per cent of all government jobs and admissions to higher educational institutions are reserved for disadvantaged families, regardless of caste. Enforcing the legislation would help thousands of Syro-Malabar Catholics.

The home, founded in 1995, caters to poor destitute beggar women. Many residents were quarantined at the home; others were taken to hospital. Thanks to Providence, the superior did not get sick, although she took care of everyone. Priests, religious and lay volunteers helped the sick during the quarantine. India has reported so far 2,836,925 cases with 53,866 deaths.

For the International Labour Organisation and the Asian Development Bank, employment prospects for 663 million young people of working age are dim with some 10-15 million jobs at risk. China reported the largest increase in unemployment so far. By the end of the year, the unemployment rate in several countries will be double at least. Young workers are found in the sectors most affected by the pandemic. Targeted policies by governments are needed.

The fight against the virus comes with pressures from family members and the media as well as the segregation of medical personnel. In this second part, Sister Beena Madhavath, is a member of the Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate and trained doctor, continues her pilgrimage amid the COVID-19 plague.

Sister Beena Madhavath is a member of the Congregation of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate. Her hospital in Mumbai was among the first to adopt a protocol to treat COVID-19 patients and set up a ward dedicated to them. Her experience includes joy, pain, fear, but also hope supported by faith.

It is yet another anti-Christian attack in the country. Rajesh Gupta's wife is in hospital with a fractured hand and leg. In June, an educational center run by a Christian organization was attacked. Two weeks ago, extremists killed a pastor in Punjab. Sajan K George: The faithful live in terror.

The nephew of a local politician posted an offensive comment on Facebook. A mob attacked the politician’s home and a police station, injuring some 60 policemen. About 110 protesters and the post’s author have been arrested. For the Archbishop of Bangalore, violence is never a solution; intercommunal dialogue is needed.

At least 15,000 families have chosen this method of education because of lower costs for large families and greater interest and involvement in children’s education. With parents and tutors as educators, greater attention is paid to children’s own aptitudes and their families’ specific religious or cultural visions. The Santvana community offers one example.

Rejin Valson, who works at Cochin International Airport, dedicated his effort to the child his pregnant wife is carrying. To achieve his goal, he used 2,755 sheets of A4 size paper and 32 pens.

The Archbishop of Bombay (Mumbai) prays for world peace, remembering the visits to Hiroshima and Nagasaki by Pope Francis (2019) and Pope John Paul II (1981).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sunni representative Iqbal Ansari were present at the laying of the first stone of the new temple dedicated to the god Rama (where the old Babri mosque stood). In 1992 the conflict over the site led to the death of over 2,000 people, mostly Muslims. Aid for the development of the poor is as important as building temples and cleaning the Ganges River.

Orphaned when she was 10, she was welcomed at Bandra's St Catherine's Home. "I didn't know God, but I came to know Him through Sister Dominic’s love; she loved me as if I were her own daughter.” Brother Joseph “has been a father to me [. . .] a guiding light for my life."

According to OECD data, except for China (+11.5), other countries have experienced heavy losses: South Korea (-3.3), the US (-9.5), Germany (-10.1), France (-13.8), Spain (-18.5), Italy (-12.4). In OECD countries, unemployment is expected to reach 10 per cent by the end of 2020. Job recovery is not expected until the end of 2021. Pope Francis makes an appeal.

Mukaluvilayil Sameul Sunil dreams of building 1,000 of them in the coming years. House prices in the country have tripled. The academy, rewarded by the government for its initiatives, also helps the disabled, students and orphans. It also runs programs of food support and distribution of drinking water to poor families.

Following an outcry against the proposal, the State’s Education Department issued a statement on Thursday, saying that “the decision to drop certain chapters has been put on hold. A review will be done, following which the deleted chapters will be uploaded to the website”.

The young woman’s “family and ancestors have been protecting nature” for a long time. She feels that “the lived experience which I have and the education which I have pursued along with research work has enabled me to understand the role of indigenous communities in combating climate crisis and I feel it is us youth who have to be the front-liners for climate action.”

"Christians are seriously stressed and under pressure in Jharkhand. Accusations of conversion are used to put pressure on the fragile Dalit community,” said Sajan K George. “False conversion charges are often made to seize Dalits’ properties. Shankar Bhuiyan is being forced to disinherit his children.”

Benedict XVI canonised her in 2008 celebrating the young nun’s “extreme physical and spiritual suffering”. Yesterday, Jinil Joseph was one of the few faithful present at her tomb. His miraculous recovery at the age of two was an element in her canonisation process.

The dwellers of Kolkata’s slums knew the clergyman as Dr A.C. Originally from Kerala, southern India, Fr. Joseph had been in Kolkata for 30 years. He was a pioneer in education for slum dwellers who had not attended school for years. Through his hard work, he not only provided access to an education, but also gave food to the hungry.

The Syro-Malankara Church protests against the Turkish government’s decision. Conversion destroys the very message of tolerance that Hagia Sophia represented. The sacred place should continue to be a symbol of peace and coexistence.

The Public Affairs Commission of the Syro-Malabar Church urgently calls on the government to intervene. In hilly areas, almost everything farmers grow is destroyed by wild boars, elephants and monkeys. The number of people killed in wild animal attacks is on the rise.

The National Centre for Disease Control conducted testing between June 27 and July 10. yesterday, India's Health Ministry reported a total of 1.19 million coronavirus cases with nearly 29,000 deaths. The States of Maharashtra, Delhi and Tamil Nadu are the most affected.

87 have died so far. Over 47 thousand inhabitants are welcomed in 649 refuge centers. Damage to national parks. Catholic authorities: About 2.2 million children, out of a total of 5 million, are suffering from the floods. Flooded villages lack clean water and sanitation. The rice fields are destroyed.

Card. Angelo De Donatis, vicar of Rome, has granted the community of Indian origin the use of Saint Anastasia on the Palatine. The faithful, almost 7 thousand throughout the Italian capital and the province, are celebrating: "It is a great gift from the diocese of Rome and the Vatican".

Only the United States and Brazil have a higher number of cases.  More than 25 thousand dead in the country.  Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu the most affected states.  Lockdown restored in several areas.  Red Cross: The Indian subcontinent is the new epicenter of the pandemic.  Economist mitigates the alarm: Per capita, the country has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world.

The Congregation’s Indian province celebrates its first 50 years. Increasingly, its missionaries reach Europe. In India, they are active in youth ministry, social work, education, charity and health services for the poor. In Kerala they still follow the Syro-Malabar rite.

Hundreds of Dalits live near the Marian shrine in Periyanayagi, in Konankuppam parish. Under quarantine for a long time to contain the coronavirus, “many are more afraid of famine than of the virus.” Unemployment is causing depression and increasing domestic violence. The Catholic Church and Legio Mariae are helping out respecting people’s dignity.

The Brahmaputra has overflowed. Landslides and floods have forced the authorities to move 1.3 million people to safer areas. At least 385,000 people have been displaced in the Barpeta district alone. About 2,100 residents found shelter in 118 rescue camps. The Archdiocese of Guwahati is providing help. Catholics in the Diocese of Tezpur are safe.

The funeral celebrated today at the church of Tejgaon (Dhaka), presided over by Msgr. Paul Ponen Kubi. The messages of Card. Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, and of Msgr. D’Souza, Archbishop of Kolkata. Abp. Costa was the architect of the meeting between Pope Francis and the Rohingya refugees in December 2017.

India has the eighth highest death toll, but given the size of its population (1.3 billion) it has one of the lowest rates: 15 deaths per million inhabitants; by comparison, Great Britain has 670 and the US, 402. Existing epidemiological models are “not appropriate for the Indian setting".

A mob ransacked a young clergyman’s home. They threatened his family and two other Christian families that if they did not leave the village, their women would be raped, the men murdered, and their homes burnt. Police was forced to release two detainees.

The media exaggerate the Covid-19 emergency in Asia's largest slum. Coronavirus has been contained despite the inability to respect social distancing. The slum is "periphery of the city’s consciousness". The help of the Catholic Church.

Card Bo remembers the clergyman who died yesterday. A former executive secretary of the FABC Social Communications Office, he was also a consultant for Radio Veritas Asia. “He loved the poor as is evident in his painstaking work to found and nurture the Andhra Pradesh Social Service Society (APSSS), which ensured sustainable livelihood and economic development for thousands of families.”

The new bishop has been at the Meghalaya mission for 44 years. The State’s Christians number around 2.5 million, or 74.59 per cent of the total population.

A letter from the major archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church on the feast of St. Thomas. Father Jose: “To face the imminent threat of the food crisis, priests like me are invited to go with the people to cultivate the land available in the parishes. No land should be left unused."

The celebration of the feast of Saint Thomas the Apostle. "His profession, 'My Lord and my God', Kyrios Theos is the clearest declaration of the divinity of Jesus in Sacred Scripture."

A boiler exploded at a state-owned NLC India power plant. “Unfortunately, in our country, many companies underplay the importance of health and safety,” said a fire and safety trainee.

The Sindhudurg Diocesan Development Society (SDDS) has been working with marginalized sectors of society, particularly young people and children, for more than a decade in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.

Father and son had been arrested for violating anti-Covid-19 regulations. Victims’ family: Taken to hospital after three days of beatings and torture. Tamil Nadu authorities suspend four officers. Suspicions of a community feud. Card. Gracias: Unacceptable violence. Social ethics and the judicial system under scrutiny.

So far, the country has reported more than 490,000 coronavirus cases. After restrictions were lifted on 31 May, the number rose significantly. In southern India, returning Indian expats are the cause of upsurge. Too many people resumed regular activities without upholding health and safety regulations. Gatherings in Catholic churches are also a problem.

For Archbishop William D’souza, the tragedy compounds “burdens, problems, difficulties and sufferings” people have had to face in recent months because of the pandemic.

In the United States, Republicans and Democrats, pass legislation targeting individuals and businesses that threaten Hong Kong's autonomy. In India, pictures of Xi Jinping are burnt and Made-in-China products boycotted. In Australia, some politicians are suspected of being bankrolled by the Chinese Communist Party. Xi Jinping's "dream" stresses Chinese nationalism, but generates anti-Chinese nationalism.

A mob damaged the building still under construction and destroyed a cross. Police cordoned off the area and arrested the two Christian teachers. Sajan K George: "False accusations, intimidation of Christians for political reasons".

Fr Pascal Sinor has helped 250 families in his parish and about a thousand more in 13 tribal villages. Migrants, slum dwellers, day labourers and seniors are the main beneficiaries. Aid includes clothing and roofing material. The clergyman has been helping locals for 25 years.

About 25 million migrant workers have left the cities for their rural villages, where all cannot find work. The pandemic could create 354 million new poor people. The Church should organise people so that they can participate in decision-making processes.

The couple donated 50 beds, blankets, sheets as well as oxygen cylinders to a quarantine centre. In Palghar district, 90 people died of the coronaviruses and 1,500 were infected. During the lockdown, Eric Lobo and Merlin Tuscano helped migrants living in the area to go home to their families.

Emigration has led to a shortage of health workers in India. At least 700 thousand Indian nurses work abroad. Long hours without rest breaks and lack of security. In Maharashtra and Delhi, staff treat Covid-19 patients without protective masks. In recent months, 30 doctors and six nurses have died from coronavirus.

Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar: Chandrakant Pradhan died for the homeland. The family is devastated but also proud of his sacrifice. Another soldier from Orissa died in the clashes.

The slum is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire was shot in its alleyways. It has reported less than 2,100 cases. Mumbai as a whole has had more than 60,000 cases. Infections have been contained by systematic testing and alley-level quarantine.

The Diocese of Sindhudurg had already provided the authorities with some facilities. The decision was made without consulting the Catholic community. The centre is used for religious and social activities. Archbishop Barreto notes that the Church has already helped a thousand families affected by the pandemic. Without the Navsarni Centre, the diocese could close.

The bare hand battle occurred in the Galwan Valley, on the border between Indian Ladakh and Chinese Aksai Chin. Indian media: the commander of Chinese troops in the area is among the dead. The border crisis started in early May. Over the past 45 years the two armies have often clashed, but without casualties.

According to an Indian army statement, both sides suffered losses. A Chinese government spokersperson reported that Indian troops violated Chinese territory, but did not say if China suffered casualties.

The young Christian man was murdered for allegedly practising black magic. For Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak, he was killed because he converted to Christianity. Local upper castes whip up the fear of conversion to promote social intolerance towards Christians.

The Supreme Court of India speaks out about the situation, slamming government officials for the way they are handling the pandemic. For the Court, the situation in the capital is "horrific" with some bodies thrown in the trash. For Indian priest, the authorities are unable to manage the crisis. Church organisations and NGOS are playing a crucial role.

The blaze burnt the thatched roof and doors of the Real Peace Gospel Church, which was built 10 years ago. The pastor, Rev Ramesh Jebaraj, believes it was premeditated. For the police, the cause is still unclear. GCCI president Sajan K George notes that extremists have continued to sow fear among Christians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

China has signed special agreements with South Korea and Singapore. Japan is vetting allowing air travel from Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand. Cambodia plans to charge foreign visitors for the costs of anti-coronavirus checks. Indian borders remain closed.

Abandoned in the cities without work, money or food, migrants have walked home to their villages over thousands of kilometres, violating the lockdown. They could have been sentenced to one year in prison. According to SEEDS, a migrant advocacy NGO, the law must be made for people and not people for the law.

For the first offense, a person can receive a severe punishment of one to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh (around 4,800 euros). Vineet Vincent Pereira: "This bill targets Muslims". “They will persecute minorities and Dalits in the name of slaughtering cows. It will be used as an intimidation and harassment tool to arrest and incarcerate people.”

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has released pandemic-related guidelines. “Communion can be distributed in nearby halls, the Eucharistic chapel or small designated areas outside the church.” Only a third of a church's capacity can be occupied during religious services.

6.1% of 4.3 million students are deprived of any type of access to information technology. However, Covid-19 has pushed the government and several NGOs to help the less fortunate to have greater access to high-tech studies. Several organizations have taken the initiative to distribute laptops and tablets.

Indian and Chinese Military leaders met on Saturday to “peacefully resolve the situation in the border areas,” India’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. But for the Global Times, “the ongoing standoff is not likely to end immediately, as concrete issues must still be resolved."

Vikas, 17, had visited the Shiva temple while upper class youth wanted to prevent it. Br. Anand Mathew: "The caste system is very strong". "Even educated young people practice this cruel discrimination and untouchability. It will take many centuries to change the dominant male, patriarchal, gender, caste and class mentality. For many this is their religion."

He was a guest of the House of Charity for 15 years, run by a congregation founded by an Italian priest. "He gifted us the joy and grace to touch the Body of Jesus. " Despite his suffering, he was full of enthusiasm. He had a strong love for the Eucharist and spread joy around him.

From today, Christian communities can reopen sacred buildings for the faithful. But there are strict conditions. In addition to sanitation, entry for people over the age of 65 is prohibited; the use of holy water and holy oils is prohibited; communion forbidden. Meanwhile, infections and deaths are growing in the country.

The condemnation "in the strongest possible terms" of the murder of an innocent man by Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC). The police file a first information report (FIR) against the villagers

Both mother and baby died. For days before dying, the animal wandered with excruciating pain. The incident has caused outrage in the country, but the authorities do not yet know if it was an accident or deliberate. India is home to 27,000 wild elephants and 2,500 in captivity.

After returning to his village in Assam, 21-year-old Amosh Basumatary, is spending 14 days on a bamboo tree house despite testing negative. Heavy rains have taken a toll on the house’s plastic sheet. Amosh is unable to get decent meals.

Michael's Coffee House tells the story of living with HIV. The priest won an award at the 34th Kolkata Film Festival. He collaborates with several Indian directors. On set he offers spiritual advice to actors.

Sea water has invaded collection basins, wells and aquifers, causing a health catastrophe. Many people fall ill with dysentery. The government is unable to intervene in the most affected areas. Caritas distributes a chlorine purifier invented in Switzerland.

In today's homily, the Archbishop of Mumbai highlights the relationship between the state and the Church, in a difficult time due to the lockdown and the many attacks on religious freedom. "Not everything belongs to Caesar, not everything belongs to the state". "Some things belong to God. This is the beginning of human rights, the value of the individual, the value of the human person." Card. Gracias assures Narendra Modi: We pray for you at all our masses.

In West Bengal, the quarantine lasts until June 15. The Chief Minister gives special permission for places of prayer. Catholic churches reopen after 9 weeks of lockdown. The Church of North India also reopened. Temples and mosques remain closed for fear of too many crowds.

Meghanjali Majhi drew the flowers on paper because she could not go to the forest to collect them. Prayers to Mary to intercede to stop the pandemic. Santojini, Majhi's mother: "Thanks to the intervention of Our Lady we saved ourselves from the attacks of Hindu fundamentalists between 2007 and 2008".

At 12 noon next Sunday, bells will ring followed by a prayer in Mavelikara cathedral (Kerala). The Orthodox Church, the Church of Mar Thomas, the Church of South India, the Salvation Army and Syro-Malankara Church will participate. The service will be broadcast live on TV.

According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), unemployment reached 27.52 per cent in the first week of May, up from 8.54 per cent in March before the lockdown.

On behalf of all Christian denominations, Card George Alencherry wrote to Kerala’s chief minister a few days ago, asking that worship resume in churches. But Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan refused fearing the spread of COVID-19.

This is the first time in the history of Indian aviation that a group of private individuals organise the evacuation of stranded migrants by plane.

A woman died of hunger next to her child. Special trains reach wrong destinations after long trips. Flights are cancelled without refund. The Church in Vasai provides help. India’s Supreme Court calls on the government to help stranded migrants.

About 60 per cent of trees have been uprooted; hundreds of thousands of homes destroyed. There is no electricity, water, food, sanitation. Roads are cut off. Many churches and convents have been affected. Caritas is working with the army in the relief and reconstruction efforts.

“My faith in Jesus has strengthened me. COVID-19 is like a war. Patients are suffering, the elderly are suffering. As nurses, we are called to alleviate the sufferings of the sick, [and] serve them kindly.”

The young girl covered about 100 km per day, reaching her village in 10 days. The man was left without a job due to an accident. The Cycling Federation has invited Jyoti to a selection for its own academy. The drama of many Indians who wander the country after losing their job due to the lockdown.

Workers forced to work up to 12 hours a day without overtime. Union meetings and collective bargaining have been suspended. Workers no longer can turn to labour courts. In April, 122 million jobs were lost because of the coronavirus.

A municipal ordinance initially required cremation, but a State Minorities Minister opposed it. Coronavirus victims can now be buried but in big cemeteries. Card Gracias advises the faithful to cremate their dead.

Rain and winds at 165 km / h brought down trees, light poles, traffic lights and houses. Several areas are flooded, communications nonexistent. Damage to the John Vianney seminar. So far there are 15 dead.

In Bangladesh, where the coming storm is expected to be the most powerful storm since Cyclone Sidr killed some 3,500 people in 2007, about two million people have already been evacuated and 12,078 cyclone centres set up. In India, where West Bengal is expected to be the most affected, police said many people are unwilling to go to shelters fearing contracting COVID-19.

The Missionaries of Charity, with a truck and an ambulance, tour several slums in the metropolis. Gift packages containing rice, sugar, wheat flour, dried legumes, lentils. Recipients are poor, unemployed and migrants affected by the lockdown. Cyclone Amphan is coming, with winds at 185 km / h. Millions of people evacuated to India and Bangladesh.

Mgr Jacob Muricken, auxiliary bishop of Palai, has decided to spend his life “in prayer, meditation, Bible studies and writing”. His decision “is not hating the world, but teaching men to look at the world in the right way, fixing our eyes only on God.”

Prayers are held in Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Maharashtra. In addition to prayers, acts of charity were performed for the marginalised and the homeless.

A hundred widows in Raikia, Kandhamal (Odisha) received gift parcels with rice, potatoes, onions, sugar, biscuits, a litre of oil, five pieces of soap, and surgical masks. Due to the lockdown, hundreds of millions have lost their jobs and livelihood.

The cardinal wrote to the representatives of other religions in the country, as well as to his fellow bishops, inviting them to take part in a Day of prayer, fasting and works of charity. For Ram Puniyani, a well-known activist and president of the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, the “call for a World Day of Prayer can be an occasion to commit ourselves to rational thinking in eradicating the pandemic.”