Articles by Anto Akkara
Indian bishops condemn Hindu group’s attack on Catholic school and priest
Apr 22, 2024 / 13:15 pmOn April 16 a mob of activists assaulted a priest and vandalized the Mother Teresa English Medium School in Telangana state, India.
Indian bishops’ ‘guidelines’ for Catholic schools elicit mixed reaction
Apr 10, 2024 / 14:00 pmThe 13-page document issued to India’s 15,000 Catholic educational institutions includes a recommendation that schools display the preamble to the Indian Constitution.
Easter holiday is canceled then restored in heavily Christian Indian state
Mar 28, 2024 / 12:30 pmThe March 28 reversal by the Manipur government came within 24 hours after Manipur Gov. Anusuiya Uikey canceled the Easter holiday.
Incidents of violence and persecution against Christians shoot up in India
Mar 27, 2024 / 14:00 pmViolence and persecution against minority Christians, who account for only 2.3% of India’s 1.41 billion people, have been on a steady rise in the last 10 years.
Indian Church to observe ‘day of prayer and fasting’ amid growing religious polarization
Feb 12, 2024 / 14:00 pmThe Catholic Church in India has called for observing March 22 as a “day of prayer and fasting for peace and harmony in the country.”
Amid arrests of Indian priests and nun, bishop calls for ‘storming of heaven’
Feb 9, 2024 / 16:00 pmEleven out of India’s 28 states have passed laws to criminalize forced conversions but, in practice, they have been used to prevent practice of the Christian faith.
Violence against Christians in India addressed at Catholic bishops’ conference
Feb 1, 2024 / 11:50 am“The Church can play a crucial role in shaping the moral character of the society,” said Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the apostolic nuncio to India.
New leader of Syro-Malabar Church faces daunting task as dissenting priests remain defiant
Jan 31, 2024 / 12:45 pmMajor Archbishop Raphael Thattil has his work cut out for him as he seeks to carry out the Holy Father’s wishes that the Church there follow one, unified liturgy.
India’s Modi hosts Christian leaders for Christmas amid rising persecution
Dec 29, 2023 / 13:15 pm“Christmas is an occasion to remember Jesus Christ’s life’s message and values,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, addressing Christian leaders.
Papal Christmas deadline over Syro-Malabar rift is met, but Indian archdiocese simmers
Dec 28, 2023 / 14:35 pmProtests and disruptions to “unified” Masses mandated by the pope were observed around the archdiocese, but it remains if there will be consequences from the Vatican.
Indian priest jailed under ‘anti-conversion’ laws is released
Dec 22, 2023 / 16:36 pmFather Babu Francis was detained by the police on Oct. 1 after he sought information on the arrest and detention of a member of his staff.
Dissenting priests in Syro-Malabar Church protest Pope Francis’ Christmas deadline
Dec 20, 2023 / 17:50 pmTensions have risen in the Eastern Catholic Church in the Indian state of Kerala as the deadline approaches to implement a universal liturgy.
More than 10,000 Indian Catholics welcome new archbishop in conflict-torn Manipur
Dec 11, 2023 / 16:22 pmMore than 10,000 Catholics from across the state of Manipur attended the Dec. 8 installation of the new archbishop of the Imphal Archdiocese, Linus Neli.
Refugees of ethnic clash in India find open arms in majority-Christian state
Dec 6, 2023 / 17:05 pm“We are grateful to God [that] we are safe here,” said Mercy Tungdian, who now lives with her three small children in a government apartment.
Vatican puts 35 Catholic ‘martyrs of Kandhamal’ in India on road to sainthood
Oct 26, 2023 / 13:05 pmThe Christians were killed in the 2008 Christian persecution that took place in the remote jungle district of the eastern Odisha state.
Church in India celebrates two recent Supreme Court verdicts
Oct 19, 2023 / 11:00 amThe cases, involving abortion rights and gay marriage, came down within the same 24-hour period.
Thousands mourn Indian Cardinal Telesphore Toppo at funeral Mass
Oct 11, 2023 / 15:00 pmCardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, Asia’s first tribal cardinal who died on Oct. 4, was remembered for his humility, simplicity, and care for the poor.
Indian priest who joined Hindu nationalist party relieved of duties by bishop
Oct 4, 2023 / 13:45 pmThe priest’s action took place at a time of rising persecution of Christians in India.
India’s Christian rights network not hopeful after meeting with minorities commission
Sep 26, 2023 / 17:30 pm“While the positive is that there is some conversation, I do not set hopes very high,” said John Dayal, an outspoken Catholic activist.
India’s Modi government invites Christian rights watchdog to discuss concerns
Sep 15, 2023 / 15:40 pmThe head of the Christian human rights group had written to the prime minister’s office about three major grievances.