Articles by Anto Akkara
Christians decry plan in India for death penalty for conversions
Mar 14, 2025 / 12:30 pm“A provision for capital punishment will be made in the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act for religious conversion,” declared state chief minister Mohan Yadav.
Nearly 2 dozen bishops visit remote community of ‘banished’ Catholics in eastern India
Feb 7, 2025 / 15:00 pmChristians performed traditional animist dances with men wearing buffalo horns while women in colorful dresses offered flower bouquets to each bishop.
Indian bishops mourn stampede deaths at massive Hindu festival attended by millions
Feb 3, 2025 / 13:20 pm“It is heartbreaking to witness such a calamity during a sacred event that draws millions in devotion,” Cardinal Filipe Neri said Jan. 30.
Church ‘frustrated’ over government takeover of school appointments in Gujarat, India
Jan 29, 2025 / 14:05 pmThe verdict “is frustrating for us. We are sad that it came just ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Indian Republic [on Jan. 26],” Archbishop Thomas Macwan told CNA.
Christians in northeast India unfazed by bid to revive 46-year-old anti-conversion law
Jan 14, 2025 / 14:30 pmThe revival of the dormant law has been brought about by the Guwahati High Court, which ordered the state government to “frame rules” to implement the law.
Leaders urge India’s Modi to curb spiraling violence against Christians
Jan 7, 2025 / 12:30 pm“We cry out to you from the depths of our hearts when we are attacked in villages and towns in several states on Christmas Day,” Christian leaders lamented.
Catholic groups offer prefabricated houses for victims of landslides in south India
Dec 17, 2024 / 12:30 pmThe devastating July 30 landslide that virtually wiped out two townships in the mountain areas claimed more than 400 lives and left over 1,500 families homeless.
Indian church leaders plead for protection amid ‘relentless attacks’ on Christians
Dec 9, 2024 / 11:40 am“We need protection against what is happening and urge the government to ensure the safety of the Christians,” Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati said.
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.