Franciscan Clarist Congregation, a 130-year-old indigenous congregation in India, a month ago dismissed Sr. Lucy Kalappura, a member, for violating the vows of poverty and obedience. It gave her 10 days to appeal to the Vatican against the order, which she did. Kalappura says she was being punished for using media outlets to obtain justice Read more
The Catholic Church says it wants to work with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in building a “New India”. “On behalf of the Catholic Church in India, and on my own behalf, I extend my heartiest congratulations to you and to the Bharatiya Janata Party on the emphatic election victory. “The people of India have given Read more
Catholics in India are celebrating the resignation of a corrupt Catholic bishop. Pope Francis agreed to the resignation of the bishop who is facing allegations of stealing funds to maintain his “secret family.” Read more
An Indian priest faces disciplinary action for supporting nuns’ struggle for justice for a colleague who claims she was raped by a bishop. Bishop Jacob Manathodath from Kerala has sought an explanation from Father Augustine Vattoly about his involvement in leading a protest against Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar. Read more
Six years ago, at the age of 26, Laila Talo Khuder Alali was sold as a sex slave eight times to men of different nationalities by militants of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Standing in a hotel auditorium in India’s commercial hub of Mumbai to receive an award in the name of St. Read more
A Catholic priest who testified against an Indian bishop accused of rape has been found dead. His family suspect foul play. However, local medical staff said he had a series of health problems. Father Kuriakose Kattuthara, 67, was found dead inside his room a week after Bishop Franco Mulakkal of Jalandhar was granted bail by Read more
Catholics in a south Indian diocese want their bishop removed for allegedly misappropriating diocesan funds to lead a luxurious life with his wife and son. Bishop Prasad Gallela of Cuddapah, however, has denied the charges as baseless and aimed at tarnishing his image. Aggrieved Catholics have filed a criminal complaint in a trial court in Read more
Church leaders are resisting India’s National Commission for Women’s call to ban confessions. The women’s group says it has proposed the ban because information disclosed in confessions is being used to blackmail the women who confessed it. There should be a federal inquiry into into complaints of rape and sexual assault involving priests, the group Read more
Childcare homes run by the Missionaries of Charity in India will be inspected after employees at one shelter were accused of selling babies for adoption. Sister Konsalia Balsa and social worker Anima Indwar were arrested after allegedly trying to sell a baby for UK£1,325 (about NZ$2,500). They have also been accused of having already sold Read more