Catholic Church in India

The Latest

A statue of Devasahayam Pillai at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Kottar, India.

What you should know about this new Catholic saint from India

May 12, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Devasahayam Pillai will be canonized in St. Peter’s Square on May 15. Read more

Pope Francis addresses bishops of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church at the Vatican on Oct. 3, 2019.

Pope Francis asks opponents of Syro-Malabar uniform liturgy to take ‘painful step’ of accepting change

Apr 4, 2022

By CNA Staff

Protests against the change have included a hunger strike by priests and the burning of effigies of cardinals. Read more

Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India.

India’s Catholic bishops urged to highlight anti-Christian violence

Jan 24, 2022

By CNA Staff

A letter accused the bishops’ conference of ‘complete silence.’ Read more

Missionaries of Charity house, Calcutta, India.

Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity seek swift fix after Indian government blocks foreign donations

Dec 28, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Supporters of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity reacted with surprise and concern to the Indian government’s ruling that the organization... Read more

A St. Thomas Christian cross at the installation of Mar Joseph Srampickal at Preston North End stadium, England, on Oct. 9, 2016.

Syro-Malabar Catholic Church leaders want a uniform liturgy. Why are they facing resistance?

Dec 8, 2021

By Luke Coppen

Pope Francis has intervened in the decades-long dispute. Read more

A liturgy at St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church, Arakuzha, India.

India’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church to adopt ‘uniform’ liturgy

Aug 30, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

The new liturgy being introduced within India's Syro-Malabar Church will require the celebrant to face the congregation and the tabernacle... Read more

Flag of India.

Report finds hate crimes rising against Indian Christians despite lockdown

Jul 31, 2020

Hate crimes against Christians in India increased by 40% in the first half of 2020 despite a three-month nationwide lockdown,... Read more

Bishop George Pallipparambil presents the New Testament in Wancho to a parishioner at the Chrism Mass, March 27, 2015.

As Amazon synod nears end, conversations will affect situations elsewhere

Oct 25, 2019

By Matt Hadro

As the Amazon Synod considers the evangelization—and exploitation—of indigenous Amazonian tribes, the conversation reflects as well on what is happening... Read more

Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jullundur.

Trial of Indian bishop charged with rape to begin in November

Oct 24, 2019

The trial of Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jullundur, who was charged with rape in April, will begin Nov. 11 in... Read more

Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jullundur.

Nun alleges evidence tampering in case of Indian bishop charged with rape

Aug 1, 2019

A nun representing a reported rape victim of Bishop Franco Mulakkal has accused the defense of evidence tampering in the... Read more

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao presents a New Testament to a parishioner.

The bishop who reaped a hundred-fold

Nov 7, 2018

By Ed Condon

Officially, his diocese has only existed since 2005. But Bishop Pallipparambil has been tending a flock in rural northeastern India... Read more

Cardinal George Alencherry, Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, at a Mass said in St. Peter's Basilica, Oct. 12, 2014.

Pope praises 'beautiful, complex' diversity of Catholic Churches in India

Oct 10, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis on Tuesday said the variety of Catholic Churches and rites in India is a richness for the country... Read more

Demolished cross in India sparks outrage among Catholics

May 3, 2017

Despite being located on private property, a 122 year-old cross was demolished late last month in a suburb of Mumbai,... Read more

India bishops slam 'brutal' disruption of Good Friday service

Apr 21, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

India's Catholic bishops have strongly condemned a violent police disruption of a Good Friday service at a small parish in... Read more

How India's 'unreached' tribal areas are being evangelized

Dec 13, 2016

By Elise Harris

Every day in the remote villages of Northeast India courageous priests and nuns are braving the elements of the wild... Read more

Indian pilgrims attend the Angelus address in St. Peter's Square, Jan. 17, 2016.

Archbishop Cheenath, defender of India’s persecuted Christians, dies at 81

Aug 16, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath, who lived through one of the worst Christian persecutions in modern India and spent the remainder of... Read more

Indian Women.

Soon to be saints? India's Christians killed in brutal 2008 massacre

Jan 5, 2016

By Elise Harris

The green light has officially been given to open the cause for sainthood of the nearly 100 Christians murdered in... Read more

Holi, the festival of color, celebrated in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, in 2014.

Indian bishop encourages celebration of color festival in joy, freedom

Mar 6, 2015

With Indians and Hindus celebrating Holi, a spring festival of colors, today, Bishop Thomas Dabre of Poona has encouraged the... Read more

Bishop George Pallipparambil (2R) with pilgrim students at the Light of the World Cathedral in Miao, India.

Inspired by St Don Bosco, Indian Church prepares youth to be tomorrow's leaders

Feb 4, 2015

In the north-easternmost reaches of India, the Diocese of Miao is celebrating the bicentennial of St. John Bosco's birth by... Read more

Vandals desecrated the tabernacle of St. Alphonsa's church, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Feb. 2, 2015.

Faith under siege: fifth Catholic church vandalized in New Delhi over two months

Feb 3, 2015

Unidentified persons broke into St. Alphonsa parish in the Indian capital New Delhi during the early hours of Monday morning,... Read more