Articles by Anto Akkara
Church leaders will appeal Indian Supreme Court order for tax on salaries of clergy
Nov 20, 2024 / 12:25 pm“This judgment without a detailed hearing of our plea is very disappointing. We have no option but to challenge this verdict,” Father Xavier Arulraj told CNA.
Liturgical conflict resurfaces in troubled Indian Syro-Malabar archdiocese
Nov 15, 2024 / 12:15 pmThis month’s delayed priestly ordination of eight deacons of the Ernakulam Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church has highlighted continuing divisions.
Vatican message for India’s ‘festival of lights’ emphasizes need for fostering harmony
Oct 31, 2024 / 13:30 pm“Diversity is seen by most as a source of mutual growth, learning, and enrichment. At the same time, it is also rejected in some parts of the world,” the message said.
‘Duty to accompany migrants’: Indian bishops launch portal to support nation’s immigrants
Oct 8, 2024 / 10:50 amThe digital portal was launched on Sept. 27 in Bangalore by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India ahead of the Sept. 29 World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
Thousands gather in jungle for celebration honoring Catholic priest killed in eastern India
Sep 10, 2024 / 11:15 amThe priest was shot and pierced with arrows in his thatched chapel-house during the early hours of Sept. 2, 1999.
Church hails India Supreme Court for reaffirming ban on euthanasia: ‘Extremely happy’
Aug 22, 2024 / 16:00 pm“We are extremely happy that the sacredness of life has been upheld by the court,” Archbishop Raphy Manjaly of Agra, India, said.
Led by bishops, Indian Christians mount pressure on government to curb atrocities
Jul 24, 2024 / 13:47 pmAmid ongoing attacks, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has put pressure on the national government to address violence against Christians.
Syro-Malabar Church in India initiates plan to resolve bitter liturgical feud
Jul 17, 2024 / 14:50 pm“The Holy Qurbana [Mass] should not be the reason for division in the Church,” Father Antony Vadakkekara, Church spokesperson, told CNA.
Indian Christians see Hindu nationalist party’s failure to win majority as vote against Modi
Jun 5, 2024 / 16:30 pm“The big story of this election is that arrogant Prime Minister Modi has been cut to size by the people’s verdict,” activist John Dayal told CNA.
Indian Supreme Court: Anti-conversion law may be ‘unconstitutional’
Jun 4, 2024 / 14:52 pmThe court noted that “some parts [of the law] may seem to be violative of the fundamental right to religion guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution.”
Prayers, processions, and seminars mark first anniversary of bloodshed in Manipur, India
May 7, 2024 / 14:31 pmAccording to the government’s estimate, as many as 230 died in the bloody ethnic conflict that engulfed Manipur beginning on May 3, 2023.
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.