Justice eludes victims of anti-Christian riots in India

People still suffering, in rehabilitation camps and not able to return home eight years after the violence.

Indian Christians in Kandhamal, Odisha, protest Aug. 27 to mark the eighth anniversary of the country’s worst anti-Christian violence. (Photo by Santosh Digal)

New Delhi:  Over 10,000 people protested in Kandhamal district of the eastern Indian state of Odisha to mark the eighth anniversary of the country’s worst anti-Christian violence.

Carrying placards and banners, protesters on Aug. 27 demanded justice for the victims of the violence

The 2008 anti-Christian violence engulfed more than 600 villages and killed about 100 people, including disabled and elderly people, children and women.

Some 350 churches and 6,500 houses were looted and burned down, making 56,000 people homeless. Several rapes were reported, including that of a Catholic nun.

The anti-Christian rioting was sparked by the gunning down in Aug. 23, 2008, of a Hindu spiritual leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, 85, and four of his associates.

Hindu extremists blamed Christians for the murders even though Maoists at that time had claimed responsibility for the deaths.

The killings unleashed a reign of terror the following day that lasted for four months in the tribal-dominated Kandhamal district in Odisha (formerly Orissa) state. The state had also witnessed an earlier round of anti-Christian violence during Christmas 2007.

"People are in fear. There have been subtle expressions from right-wing activists that anything can happen anywhere. The hatred has not been fully rooted out," Father Santosh Digal who was part of the protest told ucanews.com.

He said that the state government is supposed to ensure security and safety of Christians but "reality and expectations are two different things."

The protesters demanded reopening of cases of violence and a thorough and independent inquiry by impartial police officers and prosecutors.

Father Ajay Singh, who has been fighting for the rights of the Kandhamal victims, told ucanews.com that the state government needs to implement a recent judgment of the Supreme Court of India to provide additional compensation to the victims.

The court on Aug. 2 called the compensation granted to victims of communal violence in Odisha’s Kandhamal district "inadequate."

He said that even though the court had asked for the re-opening of 315 cases of violence, "there is no direction as to how to go about it."

He said that about 40 churches and 52 NGOs and other voluntary organizations that were burnt or damaged in the violence have not been listed for compensation.

"The situation is still not very good. The victims are suffering and some are still in rehabilitation camps and not able to return home even eight years after the violence," he said.

Source: UCAN

Protestant Pastor beaten up by Hindu militants

Hindu militants broke into the house and interrupted the prayer meeting on Aug. 26.

New Delhi:  The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) has reported that a Protestant pastor in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh was beaten up by Hindu radicals on Aug 26.

Sunny Tyagi, who converted to Christianity and became a Protestant Pastor, was beaten up by Hindu radicals who broke into a private house where a prayer meeting was being held, GCIC President Sajan K. George reported to Agenzia Fides.

On August 26, around 8 am, Pastor Tyagi of the Church of the Assembly of believers was leading a liturgy in the house of a believer, when suddenly ten Hindu militants broke into the house and interrupted the meeting, threatened the faithful and started beating up the pastor, accusing him of proselytizing.

"The Pastor was not engaged in any criminal activity, and was not doing anything unconstitutional: he was beaten up for no reason. It is an act of gratuitous violence and a violation of religious freedom guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. The Global Council of Indian Christians strongly condemns the incident and calls on the national Commission for human rights to investigate and do justice," said Sajan K. George.

Source: Agenzia Fides

Official team at Mother Teresa’s canonisation announced

The 11-member delegation is to be led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

New Delhi:  The official delegation heading to Vatican on Sep 4 to attend Mother Teresa’s canonisation includes BJP and Cong leaders, a Supreme Court judge, an eminent lawyer and secretary general of Catholic Bishop Council of India.

The 11-member delegation is to be led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

As per the ministry, the 11-member delegation will include Public Accounts Committee Chairman and Congress MP KV Thomas, Goa Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza, Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph, three Lok Sabha MPs — Anto Anthony (Cong), Jose K Mani (Kerala Cong), Conrad Sangma (National People's Party) —BJP leader KJ Alphons, eminent lawyer Harish Salve and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, secretary-general of the Catholic Bishop Council of India.

Swaraj and her delegation will be joined by the former's ministerial colleague, Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur. The team will be accompanied by MEA Secretary (West) Sujata Mehta.

Earlier in the week, the ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said two delegations, led by chief ministers, had sought political clearance to attend the event and been granted the same. The two CMs were Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Source: Mumbai Mirror

Kerala ministers await central clearance for Vatican trip

Earlier this month, clearance was denied to Local Self Government Minister K.T. Jaleel during the Saudi crisis.

Thiruvananthapuram:  Even as the Vatican gets ready for the canonisation of Mother Teresa on September 4, two Kerala ministers are awaiting central clearance for their trip as official representatives of the state.

Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac and Minister for Water Resources Mathew T. Thomas have been nominated by the state government to attend the event at the Vatican.

However, Thomas said there seems to be some problem in the matter as clearance by the Centre for their trip is yet to come.

"We do not know what is the reason for the delay. We have booked our tickets to the Vatican to attend the canonisation," said Thomas whose late father was a priest of the Mar Thoma church headquartered in Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta.

Kerala state had sent delegations to Vatican earlier when three natives were canonised. St Alphonsa, the first native Indian saint, was canonized in 2008.Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluvathingal were declared as saints on 2014 November.

Earlier this month, clearance was denied to Local Self Government Minister K.T. Jaleel who was to travel to Saudi Arabia amid reports of hundreds of Keralites in the Gulf kingdom being rendered jobless.

But the Centre said it had already sent Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh to Saudi Arabia to resolve the issue.

Source: News Minute

Holy See to confer 22 new knights and dames in Taiwan

They will be made members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Vatican City:  A Holy See envoy is going to confer knighthoods and damehoods from the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem to 22 new members from three dioceses in Taiwan.

Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, grand master of the order, will preside over the ceremony at the Holy Family Church in Taipei on Sept. 11.

The new members include nine laywomen, 11 laymen, Bishop Thomas Chung An-zu of Chiayi and Father Bonaventura Lin Szu-chuan of Taipei.

The titles have been given to the 22 Taiwanese Catholics as recognition for their contribution to the church.

Currently, the Taiwan lieutenancy has 50 members joining some 26,000 members around the world. The order holds annual formation meetings and assists with donations that help maintain the Holy Sepulchre in the Holy Land.

Thirteen of these Taiwanese knights and dames are also members of the Order of the Gregory the Great, including Taiwan's vice president Philip Chen Chien-jen, Taiwan supervisory member Chiang Yi-wen, a member of Taiwan's Control Yuan, and Bernard Li, former president of Fu Jen Catholic University.

Source: UCAN

Jakarta Archdiocese sets up justice and peace commission

New body formed to meet needs of a 'growing number of marginalized people' in Indonesian capital.

Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo (center) with the executive members of the newly established Justice and Peace Commission in Jakarta on Aug 28 (Photo by Ryan Dagur)

Jakarta:  Jakarta Archdiocese has established a justice and peace commission in response to social problems faced by marginalized groups in Indonesia’s capital city.

The inauguration ceremony took place on Aug. 28 following a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo at the Sacred Heart Parish Church.

Archbishop Suharyo told the gathering that establishing the commission was one of his aims when he became Jakarta’s archbishop six years ago.

"The commission is important, especially in a big city such as Jakarta, where there is so much injustice," he said.

The number of marginalized people such as those who do not have access to government assistance because they have no identity card, victims of unfair trials and violence as, well as residents forcibly evicted by authorities are growing, according to church officials.

"Our church’s presence is truly significant for society if we advocate social and humanitarian problems," Archbishop Suharyo said.

He reminded those attending the launch about a message from Pope Francis emphasizing the importance of justice and peace, respect for environment and human dignity.

Father Antonius Heri Wibowo, who was named head of the commission, said the new body comprises four divisions — legal advocacy and human rights, gender equity and equality, migrant care and the environment.

"Through this commission, the archdiocese will inspire, facilitate, coordinate and animate parishes to present a church that fights for justice and peace," he said.

Ursuline Sister, Irena Handayani of the migrant care division said that they would pay look at preventing human trafficking by assisting migrant workers and victims of violence.

"Catholics in the archdiocese have already attempted this, but was not properly organized. Under the new commission, organization will be improved,” she said.

Tri Warmiyati of the gender equality and justice division said one of their first priorities will be to help victims of domestic violence.

Azas Tigor Nainggolan, of the commission’s law and human rights division, pledged to ensure all of the archdiocese’s parishes has a legal team.

"We will create more and work with more lawyers," he said.

Source: UCAN

Arrest of Philippine church worker sparks anger

Religious groups accuse authorities of targeting tribal people helper with trumped up murder charges.

Lay workers of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines call for the release of Amelia Pond who arrested on Aug. 19. (Photo courtesy of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines)

Manila:  Members of the Philippine clergy and religious groups are calling for the release of a church worker arrested by police for murder in Cebu City on Aug. 19.

Police arrested Amelia Pond, a 64-year old worker for the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, accusing her of a "double murder" and "frustrated (attempted) murder" allegedly committed in Compostela Valley province in the southern region of Mindanao.

Her supporters say she is the victim of trumped up charges because of her work helping tribal communities.

"The cases filed against [Pond] are baseless and violated her basic human rights," said Sister Ellen Belardo, national coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines.

"We urge President Rodrigo Duterte to take immediate action on Pond's case," said Sister Belardo. She said Pond’s arrest is "clear harassment" of missionary workers who are working with tribal people.

Pond teaches at a tribal school that has been accused by the military of sheltering communist rebels.

"We had been repeatedly harassed by government troops as we continue to provide education and other social services for poor and indigenous peoples in communities in Mindanao," said Sister Francis Añuver, also of the Rural Missionaries.

Father Peter Geremia of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions said Pond’s arrest "is a disturbing sign."

"I condemn this action," said the Italian missionary priest.

The Commission on Social Advocacies of the Archdiocese of Cebu also condemned "in the strongest possible terms the unjust arrest" of Pond.

"She is a living example of a Christian committed to serve the least and the neglected of our society," said Father Nazario Vocales.

The priest said Pond's "unselfish service" paved the way for development in tribal communities.

Father Vocales described Pond as a "strong woman of faith" who is not afraid to confront government troops who are suspected of supporting illegal mining and logging activities in hinterland villages.

"She earned the ire of the greedy and the unjust who fabricated lies and unjustly trumping up charges against her," said Father Vocales.

Source: UCAN

Champion of Kandhamal victims’ cause remembered

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath died Aug. 14 in Mumbai.

New Delhi:  Christians from all denominations gathered in New Delhi to remember Archbishop Raphael Cheenath , who stood for justice for the victims of the anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal, Odisha.

The retired archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar archdiocese, who lost his battle to cancer on Aug. 14 in Mumbai, led the Christians when the worst attack on the community occurred in Kandhamal in 2008.

The condolence meet led by Archbishop Anil Couto was attended by priests, nuns and lay people on Aug. 26.

Terming him as a dynamic leader, Archbishop Couto said that the former prelate was a zealous pastor, a great visionary and an accomplished organizer.

Highlighting the courage and conviction with which the prelate stood for the victims of the violence, the participants agreed that they need to take his legacy of communal harmony and brotherhood forward.

“We have to work toward peace and communal harmony and take a pledge that no more communal violence takes place in the country,” Sr. Mary Scaria, a Supreme Court advocate, said.

She said that the former prelate must be at peace due to a recent Supreme Court judgement asking the government to give additional compensation to the Kandhamal victims.

The court has been monitoring the relief and rehabilitation measures for the victims since 2008 on the basis of petition filed by Archbishop Raphael Cheenath.

Mother Teresa's canonisation portends more conversions: VHP

The nun founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Catholic religious congregation that works for "the poorest of the poor."

New Delhi:  Mother Teresa's canonisation portends more conversions to Christianity, an issue that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have considered before deciding to send a delegation to the Vatican, the VHP said on Sunday.

"The canonisation of Mother Teresa is an alarm bell that now there would be more conversions in India and more funds (for conversions) would be routed to India," Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) International Joint General Secretary Surendra Jain said here.

He said granting of sainthood to a person based on miracles attributed to them was not "practical" in today's times.

"Do you expect miracles to happen in this age," he wondered.

Jain warned that with more conversions, there would be more unrest in the society.

He said Modi should have considered the issue before deciding to send an official Indian delegation to the canonisation ceremony at the Vatican.

"The issue of Mother Teresa's services vis-a-vis religious conversions is not new. We have been raising it for years. I think the Prime Minister should have thought over it before he decided to send an official delegation to the Vatican," Jain said.

An official Indian delegation led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is scheduled to attend Mother Teresa's canonisation ceremony at the Vatican on September 4.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address paid tributes to the late Catholic nun for her services to the poor of India, saying that Indians should be proud that Mother Teresa is being officially declared a saint.

The nun founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation that runs hospices in India. She died in 1997.

IANS

Velankanni church gets ready for September festival

Around 800,000 people from different faiths are expected to visit Velankanni church during the September festival.

A total of around 800,000 devotees from all faiths are expected to pray at the basilica Our Lady of Health in the Tamil Nadu coastal town of Velankanni during a 11-day festival starting on Monday.

The event starts on Monday with the hoisting of the church flag and will end on September 8, an official said on Sunday.

"Around seven-eight lakh devotees from different faiths are expected to visit Velankanni church during the festival. On certain days the number of people will go up to 300,000," Fr E.J. Thomas, Director, Shrine Media, told IANS over phone from Velankanni.

He said people from other southern states and also Maharashtra, Odisha and other states would visit Velankanni.

It is widely believed that one is cured of sickness if one prays sincerely. The church is also called as `Sacred Arockia Madha Church'. The church attracts people of all faiths.

The shrine dates to the 16th century when the first appartion happened in the town and is also known as the Lourdes of the East. The church building was given the status of basilica in 1962 by Pope John XXIII.

According to the legend, Mother Mary with her infant appeared before a milk selling Hindu boy and asked for milk for her son.

The boy gave the milk and apologized to his customer for being late for delivery and also giving lesser quantity than usual.

But he was surprised and shocked to see his container full of milk. He narrated the incident to the customer and went back to the spot where he saw the lady with her son.

Then onwards the tank where the apparition happened was known as `Matha Kulam' or Our Lady's Tank.

The second legend is that Our Lady appeared before a lame boy selling buttermilk. She had buttermilk and asked the boy to give a message to a wealthy Catholic man in Nagapattinam about her appearance.

The lame boy ran to the man to give the message. He was cured of his handicap.

When the wealthy man and the boy came back to the spot, Our Lady reappeared. The wealthy man put up a thatched church at the site of the second appearance.

The third legend is that when the Mother rescured Portuguese sailors from a storm that damaged their ship.

The locals took the sailors to the thatched church and they decided to built a permanent church as a tribute.

These legends were beautifully captured in a Tamil movie "Annai Velankanni" in 1971.

Thomas said the movie really popularised the church and more people started visiting Velankanni.

A police official in Velankanni told IANS that security and other arrangements have been made to handle the devotees who congregate in large numbers.

"There is open space around the church and crowd management will not be an issue," the police official added.

According to Thomas, special mass will be held in Tamil, English, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi and Konkani.

During the festival, the church car will be pulled by the devotees.

He said this was the first festival after the renovation of the main shrine.

The state-owned transport corporation and Indian Railways have announced special services to handle the additional passenger load to Velankanni from different places.

IANS

Feeling proud over Mother Teresa's canonisation: Modi

Her canonisation is scheduled for September 4, a day before her 19th death anniversary.

New Delhi:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday paid tributes to Mother Teresa, saying every Indian must feel proud as she has officially been recognised as a saint.

Modi said that despite being not an Indian, Mother Teresa dedicated her whole life serving the Indians.

"Mother Teresa devoted her whole life serving the poor and destitute people in India. When such a person is conferred with sainthood, it is natural for Indians to feel proud," Modi said in his "Mann Ki Baat" radio address.

He noted that Mother Teresa was an Albanian and English was not her mother tongue.

"Mother Teresa is going to be canonised on September 4. We are sending an official delegation led by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to represent 1.25 crore Indians at the ceremony," Modi said.

Mother Teresa, who arrived in Kolkata on January 6, 1929, won numerous honours, including the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize.

On October 19, 2003, she was beatified as "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta".

A second miracle was credited to her intercession by Pope Francis in December last year, paving way for her to be recognised as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church.

Her canonisation is scheduled for September 4, a day before her 19th death anniversary.

IANS

Floods abating in Bihar, claim officials

According to the government, the floods have so far claimed 55 lives in the state.

Patna:  The overall flood situation in Bihar on Sunday showed signs of improvement with river Ganga and its tributaries receding and relief operations continuing, officials said.

The district magistrates were directed, however, to be fully alert and remain prepared to face any worsening of the situation in the coming days, they said.

"Flood waters are receding in Ganga and its tributaries and the situation is improving," Principal Secretary of State Disaster Management Department Vyasji said.

He said 3.4 million people in 2037 villages in 12 districts of Bihar have been hit by the floods. Nearly half a million people have been evacuated, including 2.66 lakh who have found shelter in relief camps set up by the government.

According to the government, the floods have so far claimed 55 lives in the state.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday conducted an aerial survey of flood-hit Bhagalpur district and reviewed the situation with officials. He will review flood situation in Purnea district and Katihar district on Monday.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his younger son Tejaswi Prasad Yadav, who is Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, conducted an aerial survey of Bhojpur and Buxar districts on Sunday.

Lalu Prasad said the BJP-led central government has done little to help Bihar in dealing with the disaster.

The people in Bihar have in the past few days held demonstrations against the government's "poor response" to the disaster.

Such protests have been held in Bhagalpur, Saran, Bhojpur, Samastipur, Khagaria, Munger and Patna districts.

Hungry and homeless, the flood victims have also expressed anger over not being provided fodder for their cattle.

IANS

Pakistani Christians hope for Asia Bibi's acquittal

Mother of five accused of blasphemy could have her death sentence overturned in October.

Lahore:  Catholic Church officials are hopeful that Pakistan's Supreme Court will overturn a death sentence for blasphemy that was given to Asia Bibi, a Christian mother of five.

"We are very hopeful that she will be freed," said Archbishop Sebastian Shah of Lahore about Bibi who was accused of blasphemy in 2009 after drinking water meant for her Muslim colleagues.

Before being sent to prison Bibi was gang raped over the blasphemy allegations and her children were sexually molested, said the British Pakistani Christian Association.

In 2010, Bibi was sentenced to death but in July this year, Pakistan's top court ordered a halt to her execution. Her appeal will now be heard during the second week of October.

Muslim lawyer Saif-ul-Malook took up the case after a Christian lawyer lost the case earlier in the High Court.

"Many judges did not know him and because he rarely practiced, this caused more harm," said Saif-ul-Malook who filed the application for appeal to the chief justice of Pakistan.

"I have high hopes that she will be released. I have been threatened as well but I knew what I was jumping into," he said.

In April, hundreds of supporters of the Islamist group Pakistan Sunni Tehreek staged rallies calling for Bibi's execution and the deaths of other blasphemers.

Father Joseph Louis former executive secretary Caritas Pakistan Lahore says it is difficult to predict the outcome of the appeal.

"The rulers are afraid of fanatics and only want to escape any blame. They don't care for the innocent. We can only pray and ask for the Holy Spirit to convinces the judges," Father Louis said.

Tahir Chaudhry, President of Pakistan Minority Alliance, told ucanews.com that there would be enormous pressure on the judiciary from religious hardliners but he hoped that the apex court would order Bibi's acquittal.

Franciscan Father Jamil Albert, a human rights activist, expressed disenchantment with Pakistan's justice system.

"Our faith gives us hope for the poor Christian woman but I have reservations on the laws and methods of delivering justice," said Father Albert.

"The constitution guarantees equal rights for everybody but its not implemented and impoverished segments like Christians continue to suffer," he said.

Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law has drawn international condemnation as well as criticism within Pakistan.

Former Punjab Gov. Salman Taseer and minority affairs minister Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, were both assassinated after they spoke out against the misuse of the blasphemy law and called for reforms after Bibi was sentenced to death.

Source: UCAN

Five-year-old girl dies in Philippine anti-narcotics war

Rights groups voice outrage as vigilantes claim their youngest victim.

Manila:  A children's rights group has expressed outrage over the death of a five-year-old girl in an assassination attempt linked to the government's all-out war against illegal drugs.

Danica May, a kindergarten pupil died from a gunshot wound to the head after a gunman shot her grandfather, Maximo Garcia in Dagupan City, in Pangasinan province on Aug. 23.

The attack came three days after Garcia had registered with local police, who suspected his involvement in the drug trade. Garcia denied the allegation.

"We are angered by deaths of innocent children who fell victims in this ruthless campaign against drugs and crime," said Kharlo Manano, secretary-general of the Salinlahi Alliance for Children's Concerns.

According to Salinlahi, Danica May became the youngest victim of the killings by vigilante groups who have been targeting suspected illegal drug users and pushers.

"Killing innocent lives and disregarding human rights will never equate to a successful war on drugs," said Manano.

The Philippine National Police said some 1,900 suspected drug users and peddlers have been killed since President Rodrigo Duterte ordered an all-out war on narcotics on July 1.

Human Rights Watch noted that Duterte's "aggressive rhetoric advocating violent, extrajudicial solutions to crime in the Philippines has found willing takers."

The New York-based human rights watchdog also criticized the Philippines' Secretary of Justice for justifying the killings of alleged criminal suspects.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures. So this is what the president is doing and we support it," said Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre during a media interview.

Child rights group Salinlahi appealed to law enforcers to spare innocent children in the war against illegal drugs.

"What poor Filipino children need from the government is protection from syndicates who lure them into being criminals," said Manano.

"We are one with the Duterte administration's intention to eliminate illegal drugs in the country but we should always consider the social context of poor children and their families," he added.

Source: UCAN

Colombo Port City project debated, criticized

Controversial plan to revamp Colombo port will destroy the environment and people’s homes and livelihoods.

Colombo:  The Sri Lankan Catholic Church has banded together with civic groups to protest against the Colombo Financial City Project, a project that they say will trash the environment and ruin fishing communities.

Sri Lanka and China signed an agreement Aug. 12 to construct a multibillion port city project in Colombo. Originally named the Colombo Port City Development Project, it was rechristened Colombo International Financial City and aims to turn Colombo into Asia's next top financial hub, the government says.

Sri Lankan authorities say that over 80,000 new jobs will be created by the project but locals are far from sold on the idea.

Religious leaders including Buddhist monks, Catholic priests, nuns and civic activists believe that the rebranding of the project does not address the fact that it is illegal, undemocratic and environmentally reckless, they said during an Aug. 25 meeting in the capital.

"The government signed the new agreement with the Chinese government and company but they have not revealed its contents," said Father Sarath Iddamalgoda, joint coordinator of the People's Movement Against Port City. "We demand the government publish it."

"They spread misinformation," said the priest. "They say there are 9,000 fishermen in the area but the actual figure exceeds 30,000. They haven't studied the effect on sand and rock mining and the environmental assessment report is incomplete. It is an environmental debacle."

"The government is interested in neo-liberal economic policies and not in the livelihoods of poor fishermen living from Hendala to Negombo," Father Iddamalgoda added. "It is feared that this construction will displace about 50,000 families."

The project was first mooted by Sri Lanka's previous government and they entered into an agreement with China Communication Construction Co. Ltd. to begin construction. However, wide protests highlighting issues faced by fisherfolk, as well as the adverse impact on fish breeding areas, damage to coral reefs and coastal erosion, halted the project.

Kumudu Kusum Kumara, a senior university lecturer said the present government had not honored its election pledge to do away with the project.

Oblate Father Ashok Stephen, director of Center for Society and Religion said that the Catholic Church will stand against this kind of foolishness.

"No one has the right to damage the environment and therefore the church will join hands with the fishermen to fight for their rights and save them from this drastic action," he said.

After civic rights activists launched a massive protest in Colombo against the restarting of the project in April, the environmental assessment report was redone. But protests question the impartiality of the report.

"One member, who represented the report panel was also representing both the Chinese Company and the Sri Lankan government which is unacceptable," said Father Stephen. "No expert in marine engineering was included either."

Source: UCAN

Jesus Youth holds conference for Indians in Ireland

The international Catholic lay movement focuses on a life centred on Jesus.

Ireland:  Some 270 young Indian Catholics in Ireland attended a conference organised by the Jesus Youth Movement over the weekend of August 18-21 in Maynooth.

Jesus Youth Movement, an international Catholic lay movement with a special focus on a life centred on Jesus, had its beginnings in December 1985 in Kerala’s Kochi and has now spread across 35 countries. It is the first laity movement in India and the second in Asia to get the Pontifical approval.

The movement was initiated in Ireland almost 10 years ago, and now has a presence throughout the country. Jesus Youth has organised numerous retreats, training programmes and events over the years, but this was the movement’s first large-scale conference, conference organiser Suresh Joy told The Irish Catholic.

The three-day conference titled iConnectran in two streams, one for youths aged 13-17 and one for young adults aged 18-25, and included catechesis from domestic speakers as well as speakers from India and Australia, as well as concerts, exhibitions and theatre presentations.

Although many of Ireland’s Indian Catholics use the Syro-Malabar rite rather than the Latin rite, Mr Joy said that the organisation transcends these differences and is for all Catholics.

Source: Irish Catholic

UN exhibition to honour of Mother Teresa's canonisation

The canonisation falls on the eve of her 19th death anniversary.

United States:  An exhibition showcasing the life and works of Mother Teresa, who spent most of her life in service of the destitute in India, will be organised at the United Nations headquarters next month in celebration of the Nobel Laureate being canonised on September 4.

The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN, together with non-profit legal organisation ADF International, will host the exhibition dedicated to her "words, witness, and works" from September 6-9.

The exhibition will open just days after Mother Teresa, who had founded the "Missionaries of Charity", is declared a Saint by Pope Francis at a ceremony in the Vatican on September 4.

The date chosen for her canonisation is the eve of the 19th anniversary of her death. The Pope had cleared the way for her sainthood last year when he recognised a second miracle attributed to Mother Teresa.

"Mother Teresa was a true advocate for the sanctity of life and the family," ADF International Executive Director Doug Napier said in a statement.

"Sometimes she used words to present her ideas, but her actions and example spoke louder than her words. She acted faithfully and relentlessly. It is this passion that makes her a great role model for anyone working with or at the United Nations," Napier said.

Napier said the exhibit should remind the world of her wisdom, outstanding work and her "radical love for every human being, the poor, the sick, the unborn, and the dying."

The exhibition would culminate with a conference on 87-year-old Mother Teresa's "enduring message to the international community."

The conference will also focus on aspects of her life and work, such as caring for the poorest of the poor, advocating for peace, and leaving no one behind, ADF said.

UN Secretary General Perez de Cuellar had introduced the Catholic nun before her speech in front of the General Assembly in 1985 by saying "Mother Teresa is the United Nations" to illustrate that she embodied what the UN's mission is supposed to be.

Source: New Indian Express

Curfew, restrictions continue for 48th day in Kashmir

The violence triggered by the death of a top militant on July 8.

Srinagar:  Authorities on Thursday continued curfew and restrictions in Kashmir for the 48th consecutive day as the separatists extended the protest shutdown till September 1.

"Curfew will remain in force in Anantnag, Pulwama and Srinagar districts while restrictions will continue in Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam and Badgam districts," a senior police official said.

The death toll rose to 69 after a teenager was killed in clashes with the security forces in Pinglina village of Pulwama district on Wednesday.

Twenty-five people including three police officers were injured when militants who were part of a mob hurled two grenades at the security forces in Pulwama town.

Union Home Ministe, Rajnath Singh arrived in Kashmir on Wednesday on a two-day visit where he held a security review meeting with top civil, police, paramilitary, intelligence and army officials.

Before leaving for New Delhi later on Thursday, Rajnath Singh is slated to meet Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti and other local delegations at the Nehru Guest House in Srinagar.

IANS

Philippine parishes told to prepare for disasters

Church social action groups look to save lives by ensuring communities are ready to meet the dangers.

A team of first responders wait for a rescue helicopter in a disaster preparedness exercise in Manila. (Photo by Mark Saludes)

Manila:  Catholic parishes in the Philippines are being urged to develop disaster preparedness skills and risk-reduction plans in the face of calamities that hit the country every year.

An average of 20 tropical cyclones hit the Philippines in a typical year leaving behind a trail of destruction and many deaths.

"We have already started working with some dioceses to create contingency plans," said Father Edwin Gariguez of Caritas, the church’s social action arm.

The priest expressed hope that all parishes will develop their own plans.

The Philippine-Misereor Partnerships Inc. (PMPI) noted that Catholic parishes have become homes to people seeking refuge from disasters.

PMPI is a social development network of people’s organizations, faith-based groups, and Misereor, the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Germany.

"It is part of our function not only to give shelter but to educate, advocate, and assist people towards unity in preparedness," said Yolanda Esguerra, PMPI national coordinator.

Father Gariguez said the best calamity first-responders are the parishes but they need support in terms of training and skills development.

The priest said that even before super typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013, the church has been organizing its social action offices to be community-based, prepared and incorporate risk-reduction management units.

Father Gariguez said the church saw the need to expand the program after the super typhoon left at least 7,500 people dead.

"We expanded our program to reach more dioceses and equip them with basic knowledge and to widen our objective to create more emergency response teams nationwide," he said.

The priest urged dioceses and local parishes to raise funds to support the campaign.

In Leyte province, Caritas built an evacuation center and a distribution depot for relief goods in preparation for typhoons that will hit the eastern part of the country.

In September, the social action arm of the bishops’ conference will launch a "coordinated communication database" that will equip churches with information vital for relief operations.

PMPI's Esguerra said the success of battling disaster and mitigating its effects lies on the capabilities of every community.

"We may have the structure when it comes to emergency response, but our effectiveness rests on the people," she said.

Source: UCAN

Korean parishes establish reconciliation committees

Moves put in place to prepare pastoral activities if reunification of the two Koreas ever takes place.

Seoul:  Despite increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the Catholic Church is busy establishing parish-level committees to help arouse interest in national reconciliation and reunification.

At the last plenary held in March, the Korean Bishops' Conference recommended that every parish set up such a group.

"The starting point for the unification ministry should be the parishes," said James Byeon Jin-heung, researcher at Uijeongbu Institute for Peace in Northeast Asia.

"The parish-level committees will arouse people's interest in national reconciliation and become the base for peace education and supporting [the people in] North Korea," said Byeon.

Dioceses like Uijeongbu and Chunchon, which are near the border with North Korea, are already establishing their pastoral committees on reunification.

But the pace is fastest in Incheon Diocese; last July, their Committee for National Reconciliation held a meeting with 29 parish-level committees that had already been established.

On Aug. 17, Dowon Church in Daegu Archdiocese established its own committee for unification ministry. "We encounter many North Korean refugees around us but we are short of concern for them," said Father Pius Yi Ki-soo, president of the Daegu Archdiocese's Committee for the National Reconciliation. "I hope the [Dowon Church] parish will become the center of support and care for them."

For Uijeongbu Diocese, Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon asked his parishioners to set up their own groups and helped issue committee guidelines.

Chunchon Diocese, also bordering North Korea, will set up its own unification program in 2017.

The North and the South have been divided since Korea's liberation from the Japanese at the end of World War II. The Korean War (1950-53) made them bitter enemies.

Seoul Archdiocese has long stressed the church's role in reconciliation and for the reunification of the Korean peninsula. It established the Korea Reconciliation Committee in 1995, to foster an atmosphere of forgiveness and reconciliation, and to help in the formation of peace workers.

Source: UCAN

Young Catholic workers gather in Seoul for congress

Pope Francis sends some 90 representatives from 30 countries congratulatory message.

Korea:  Young Catholics from around the world have gathered in Seoul for an international congress where they will discuss the true value of labor.

The Catholic organization International Coordination of Young Christian Workers (ICYCW) began their 9th international congress with an opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung at Myeongdong Cathedral, Seoul on Aug. 20.

During the Mass, Cardinal Yeom reminded the young Catholics that Jesus also strived for the dignity of laborers.

"You, young workers should be hopeful and responsible leaders in our society," Cardinal Yeom said.

Some 90 representatives from 30 countries have joined the congress where they will discuss a range of topics themed under "Way to Labor — Giving Hope and Responsibility to Future Young Workers" until the event ends on Sept. 1.

In his congratulatory message for the congress, Pope Francis encouraged attendees, "I hope ICYCW representatives courageously raise their voices to the world and adapt the Gospel to the problems you are facing and … the troubles of young workers," the pope said.

"I hope participants will get more involved in Christ and the church and be good missionaries when sharing the value of labor," he added.

Source: UCAN

A new Constitution for the future?

The clarion call for Sri Lanka to become a secular state does not mean that Buddhist religious sentiments are betrayed.

By Father Reid Shelton Fernando
Colombo:  The Sri Lankan government which came to power in January 2015 is drafting a new constitution promising to end decades of increasingly authoritarian rule. It established a committee to seek the views of civil society. This committee went around the country seeking the views of a cross-section of the public. Religious and ethnic minorities want to change Article 9 of the current constitution, drafted in 1978.

The 1978 constitution, drafted by J.R. Jayawardene, paved the way for executive presidency and, even though some provisions for human rights were included, it did not satisfy the aspirations of religious minorities. Article 9 was the sticking point. It promised "the foremost place" to the majority religion, Buddhism, defining its protection as a duty of the state. Though other religions had the freedom to exercise their beliefs, in practice, many felt they were at the mercy of the majority group.

But in the same constitution Article 12 seemed to be in contradiction with it. Article 12 states that "no citizen shall be discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion, language, caste, political opinion or any such grounds."

Hence in this discussion, it must be stated that the Constitution of Sri Lanka did not endorse Buddhism as the state religion.

Some say that Article 9 discriminates against religious minorities and makes them second class citizens with no equality. While much of the conflict over the last 38 years was drawn over ethnic lines, religious persecution has occurred and, unlike the ethnic violence, still does. An August 2014 attack by extreme Buddhist sentiments on Muslims in Dharga Town is a case in point. Those responsible for the various violations got off scot-free because of the impunity they enjoyed due to the constitutional concept of Buddhism having the “foremost place.”

Even when Christians are given some assurance regarding freedom to worship, there are restrictions in building centers or churches with sufficient number of adherents. Then the accusers hurl objections by stating that the congregation was unlawfully converted. For prayer centers, the approval has to be given by authorities.

Therefore, the clarion call for the country to become a secular state does not mean that religious sentiments are betrayed. It is not a call for anti-religious movements to thrive either. It is a call to have the universal right to religious freedom and freedom of worship. A secular state does not mean that any religion is discriminated against and there is certainly no disgrace to Buddhism. Let us consider the teachings of the founders of each religion — surely they would have eschewed a predominant place and preferred that all were treated equally!

We in Sri Lanka call ourselves a multi-ethnic, multi-religious country but in practice we deny the very concept of equality. Reconciliation and solidarity is of paramount importance for peace in any country but it cannot become a reality in Sri Lanka as long as the divisive attitude of placing one religion in the foremost place continues — contradicting the uniting citizens as one people of the country. Further, it does not augur well for any country, if some religious sentiments are not respected while others get preferential treatment.

Sadly, many Sri Lankans are ignorant of human rights and many think that it is a Western concept that is harmful to our own culture. This kind of thinking is visible even among the leadership and the intelligentsia. They have failed to grasp the valuable contributions made by the UN and UN Conventions. These treatises have contributed to human welfare significantly the world over.

The translation of the local term in the majority Sinhalese language for "secular status" brings another wrong dimension as if the very secularity is considered as anti-religious which is far from it. The secularity is not against any religion that must be given publicity.

Today when the term "secular" is translated as "Anagamikka or Niragamika" it can be used to mean "anti-religious" or “against religion.” Hence the popular understanding of secular locally pertains to something irreligious or anti-religion. So “non-secular” people do categorize the proponents of secularism as opponents of all types of religious customs, practices and rituals which may not be the full truth at all.

But secular should not be seen this way. It should be seen as not favoring one religion over another or being given a prominent place to the detriment of other religions. It should mean that all religions and people who believe in them are equal before the law.

Unless this misinterpretation of words and concepts is rectified, and the country is seen as respecting all denominations, beliefs and people, protecting by law religious beliefs and practices of all citizens and not curtailing the religious freedom of anyone, any amount of constitutional changes will make little or no impact.

Father Reid Shelton Fernando is a human rights activist and former Archdiocese of Colombo coordinator of the Young Christian Workers Movement.

Source: UCAN

Special postal cover to mark Mother Teresa’s canonisation

Pope Francis will canonise Mother Teresa on September 4.

Kolkata:  To mark Mother Teresa’s canonisation ceremony in Vatican on September 4, a special postal cover will be released by the Indian postal department to honour the late Roman Catholic nun.

Made of pure silk, India Post will release a special postal and numismatic cover of Mother Teresa, the first of its kind, on September 2.

“A five-rupee commemorative coin issued by the Indian government in 2010 to mark the centenary birth celebrations of the legend will be engraved on the cover. This is a special feature as it combines the two collectible items of coins and stamps,” eminent philatelist Alok K Goyal, who designed the stamps, said.

The collectors’ item will be released in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces.

The Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office also had announced that a special 95-cent stamp featuring Mother Teresa would be released two days prior to the Sept 4 canonisation ceremony.

Besides this, the Republic of Macedonia, where Mother Teresa was born in 1910, has also announced to release a special gold-plated silver coin on the Nobel laureate.

The coin will have a face value of 100 Macedonian Denars and will be released next month.

Up to 5,000 pieces of the coin will be minted for the global market out of which 50 will be made available for the Indian market, said Goyal, an international dealer in unusual stamps and coins.

At the centre of the coin is a statue of Mother Teresa dressed in her trademark plain white sari with three blue stripes along its border.

The coin also has the image of a clematis flower known as “Matka Teresa” (Mother Teresa) bred by Stefan Franczak, Polish Jesuit monk.

It also carries the Latin inscription “Sancta Teresia de Calcutta” (Saint Teresa of Calcutta).

“We are hoping that this coin will be a hit not only in the Indian market but all over the world as she has her fans in every corner,” Goyal, who represents the International Coin House in India, said.

In Kolkata, where Mother Teresa had worked all her life and established the Missionaries of Charity, a life-size bronze statue of her will be installed at the Bishop House next to the statue of Pope John Paul IIon Aug 25, the eve of her birth anniversary.

Built by Church Art, a Kolkata-based firm engaged in making various works of art, the 5.5 feet long statue is made of bronze imported from Italy.

The statue has been donated by Namit Bajoria, Designate Honorary Consul of the Republic of Macedonia in Kolkata.

The government of Macedonia has also announced that they will mark thecanonisation of Mother Teresa with several events.

Source: Financial Express

Civil society calls for changes in Transgender Bill

The current Bill is a redrafted version of 'The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2015'.

New Delhi:  Members of civil society groups on Monday urged the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to address the many "shortcomings" of the Transgender Bill, before passing it.

Members of 'Sangama' and 'Reach Law', two Bangalore-based minority rights group, presented a chapter wise review of 'The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill', 2016, introduced in Lok Sabha on August 2, to bring to notice the Bill's flaws and gaps with respect to transgenders' abuse, rehabilitation, education, and equal status in the society.

Among its many shortcomings discussed, they strongly opposed the use of 'biological test' to pronounce a person as transgender as proposed in the draft bill and advocated for the use of 'psychological test' instead. They also recommended to the ministry to extend reservation in educational institutes and for public appointments to transgender persons.

They also demanded removal of the derogatory words such as "chakka, ombotthu, gandu etc." and the removal of the term 'Third gender' to refer to transgenders as they're discriminatory.

B.T. Venkatesh, former public prosecuter, Karnataka High Court, and a lawyer with Reach Law, told IANS that the term 'third gender' is discriminatory and has emerged from a patriarchal mindset.

"Third to what? who are first and second?", he said.

"The proposed Bill is far from inclusive and there many flaws in it. Government must make changes in the corresponding laws as well to make to wholly applicable and inclusive," he said.

"Section 377 needs to be abolished. It's in contradiction to what we are trying to do with the Bill. Who will identify as a transgender as long as 377 is there.. same needs to be done with domestic violence law which recognises only wife as the one who can seek redressal," he continued.

" There always are at least 10 percent people in a given community who identify themselves as transgenders.. we also demand that sexual reassignment surgery (SRS) be struck off from the Bill as one of the criteria to be identified as transgender, as in India changing one's sex is illegal, again a contradiction!," Venkatesh added.

The current Bill is a redrafted version of 'The Rights of Transgender Persons Bill, 2015', proposed by DMK, MP, Tiruchi Siva as a private member bill. Siva himself has in the past called the bill a "diluted" version of the original.

IANS

Sri Lanka to replace anti-terror laws

The anti-terror law was used during 30 years of war between the Tamil Tigers and the military.

File photo. (UCAN)

Colombo:  Sri Lanka on Wednesday said a draconian anti-terror law will be replaced with a Counter Terrorism Act.

The anti-terror law was used during 30 years of war between the Tamil Tigers and the military to arrest those suspected of having links with the rebels.

The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will soon be replaced by the Counter Terrorism Act, Xinhua news agency quoted the Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister D.M Swaminathan as saying.

Swaminathan said the Attorney General will submit a review on 78 trials pending under the PTA with regard to Tamil suspects by September 15.

He said this review will consider the number of detainees that can be subjected to lesser sentences or sent for rehabilitation.

The trials currently pending under the PTA will be dealt under the Counter Terrorism Act.

He also said that 112 files were sent to the Attorney General's Department for advice out of which 108 cases were concluded by the end of 2015.

IANS

Asia Bibi to have her day in Pakistan's Supreme Court

Her death sentence for blasphemy has been suspended to allow for an appeal.

File photo.

Pakistan:  A woman sentenced to death under Pakistan's controversial blasphemy laws is due to have her appeal heard in the country's Supreme Court in mid-October.

Asia Bibi has been incarcerated since June 2009 after a local imam made blasphemy allegations against her, reports the British Pakistani Christian Association (BPCA).

Before being sent to prison Bibi was gang raped over the blasphemy allegations and her children targeted said the BPCA in a statement.

"Asia Bibi has suffered the injustice of five years imprisonment for a made up crime," said Wilson Chowdhry, the BPCA chairman.

"A cultural faux pas and innocuous comment made while being attacked, led to her being raped her children sexually molested and her arrest under the draconian blasphemy laws of Pakistan for good measure," he said.

A pre-trial Supreme Court hearing on 22nd July 2015 suspended Bibi's death sentence permitting an appeal.

Source: UCAN

Mumbai Catholic creates Mother Teresa canonisation logo

Pope Francis will declare Mother Teresa a saint at the Vatican on September 4.

Mumbai:  The official logo for the Sept. 4 canonization of Mother Teresa was created by Karen Vaswani, a Mumbai-based Catholic graphic designer.

Vaswani, 44, in her spare time, plays keyboards and vocals in a local jazz, pop and retro band called “Rockin’ Marmalade.”

Though she never met Mother Teresa, she has “always admired Mother Teresa’s work,” Vaswani says, and was so inspired that she was able to complete the assignment to craft a logo for the canonization in just three days.

Vaswani said she was approached in April by the Archdiocese of Calcutta to design a logo for the canonization celebrations. When she was finished, she said, her proposed logo went before Sister Mary Prema Pierick, the superior of the Missionaries of Charity, and Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, the official in charge of the sainthood case in Rome, both of whom immediately embraced it.

“I was elated and thrilled to hear that my design has been chosen as the official logo by the Vatican for the canonization of Mother Teresa,” Vaswani said.

She said her creative process began by reflecting on the official theme for the canonization assigned by the Vatican: “Carrier of God’s tender and merciful love.”

“Hence I decided to work with a very classic pose of Mother Teresa, where she’s lovingly holding a child in her arms,” Vaswani said.

She conceded that wasn’t exactly original, but said she put on her own touches.

“The pose of Mother holding a child has been done by various artists in different mediums but I’ve tried to simplify it by using minimal lines and just 2 colors,” Vaswani said. “Her signature blue and gold to add a celebratory touch.”

Vaswani also said that she wanted to come up with a logo that would work across multiple platforms, including print, audio-visual, and social media, which also meant keeping it as simple as possible.

Asked if she prayed before beginning the work, she doesn’t hesitate.

“Yes I did,” she said. “First thanking God for giving me the opportunity to design this, and then, asking for the grace and guidance to do a design that was simple yet powerful, and would speak for itself.”

Vaswani’s family story reflects the broader saga of Catholicism in India, both firmly Catholic yet also deeply imbedded in the local culture.

She’s the daughter of Percy and Vivienne D’Lima from St Michael’s Church in Mumbai, the home parish of Cardinal Oswald Gracias. Vaswani said her parents are “feeling very proud, and have been flooded with calls and messages.”

Her husband, named Ishwar Vaswani, belongs to Sindhi community, and they have a 13-year-old daughter, Kimaya.

The Vaswanis belong to the parish of Our Lady of Victories Church, located in Mumbai’s Mahim neighborhood.

Vaswani said she’s been part of her parish’s “Victory Chorus Line Choir” for more than 25 years, and she also donates her graphic design expertise to local parishes.

Source: Crux

CBCI pushes for pluralism in draft National Education Policy

The top bishops' body said more regulations than policy directives in the document would kill the freedom of educational institutions.

Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas (Right) at the press conference in New Delhi.

New Delhi:  The Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India (CBCI) has made public its recommendations on the draft National Education Policy 2016 saying it would not compromise on pluralism, Constitutional rights to minorities and the protection of tribals and Dalits, while appreciating the government’s initiative to revamp the education system in the country.

Asserting that the draft has been compiled without involving the main stakeholders – students, teachers, parents, major education providers, and pioneers in the field of education, the CBCI said more regulations than policy directives in the document would kill the freedom of educational institutions.

Secretary General of the CBCI Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas on Aug 19 said while in a federal country like India, the draft reeks of over centralisation of everything, leaving very little power to the educators. He also alleged that the government is yet to give them an appointment to discuss the draft policy.

“Education is important in nation building and the Catholic church has been a major player in the field with over 25,000 educational institutions, only second to the government. Despite being an important stakeholder in the field, we have not yet been given an appointment with the education minister, while we are given to understand that they are meeting with other organisations of a certain ideology.”

In its suggestions, that have been sent to the Ministry of Human Resources and Development, the CBCI appreciated the government’s efforts in paying special attention to promote education in rural and tribal areas, extending mid-day meal facilities to plus-two level and extending the scheme to needy children in non-government schools, as well as scrapping of the migration certificate.

It, however, voiced its concern over “segregation of students as meritorious and less meritorious, and relegating the less meritorious to vocational stream and the meritorious to higher education.

The CBCI Secretary General also called for the draft to be more inclusive, questioning the need for including only vedic and gurukul models of education in the preamble of the policy. “Lots of space needs to be given to every section of society to express their culture. The preamble itself shows what line the government wants to take. What about the rest of the people? We have many cultures and subcultures that make up a mosaic of the nation.”

The National Education Policy serves as a comprehensive framework to guide the development of education in the country. Though not mandatory, the policy provides a broad direction and state governments are expected to follow it. If approved, this will be the third education policy in the country. The first policy was in 1968 and the second in 1986 which was later revised in 1992.

Source: Indian Express

US backs Amnesty over India sedition case

The NGO is caught in a crossfire after some people in programme it organised allegedly chanted anti-India slogans.

Washington:  The United States has backed Amnesty International after a sedition case was registered against the global rights group in Bengaluru for hosting a Kashmir event where alleged anti-India slogans were raised.

State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said that US supported the right to freedom of expresson for anyone, including the Amnesty.

"With Amnesty International, I'm sorry. Well, we obviously, as we do around the world, support the right to freedom of expression and assembly, including through civil society," Toner told reporters here on Monday.

He was asked about the sedition charge against the group in India after they staged an event called "Broken Families" on the situation of different families in Kashmir.

Toner said the State Department was aware of the reports that police in Bengaluru have "initiated preliminary investigation into allegations of sedition against Amnesty International.

"I direct you to the police for more details into this investigation, but certainly we, as I said, respect the right for Amnesty and others to express themselves freely."

The remarks came a day after Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said he had "not given any clean chit" to the rights group. He had earlier said the group was not involved in anti-national activities though some anti-India slogans were raised by some participants at the event at United Theological College in the city on August 13.

Amnesty organised the programme that had an interactive discussion on peace and justice in Kashmir and where three families from the strife-torn valley shared alleged human rights violations back home.

Police registered the complaint after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad's (ABVP) alleged that Amnesty representatives and other participants had indulged in anti-national slogans and criticised the role of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir.

ABVP is the student wing of the BJP, which leads the National Democratic Alliance government in New Delhi, and has been at the forefront of several protests against perceived anti-national activities.

IANS

Jakarta Archdiocese brings Year of Mercy to hungry kids

Meal for poor children, pilgrimages cap celebrations marking special year.

Around 100 children from poor families attend a lunch program held by Jakarta archdiocese to mark the Year of Mercy on Aug. 20. (Photo by Katharina R. Lestari)

Jakarta:  The Archdiocese of Jakarta has celebrated the Year of Mercy, announced last year by Pope Francis, with a special meal for poor children.

Around 100 children, mostly Muslims, were invited to the Aug. 20 event at the archdiocese's hall.

"We wanted to share with those in need regardless of their religious background," said Sovia Tjua, who organized the event.

"In this Year of Mercy we should not only think of ourselves, indeed, we should abandon our selfishness and share with those in need."

The Year of Mercy began on Dec. 8 on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and will conclude on Nov. 20 on the Feast of Christ the King.

In a speech, the archdiocese's vicar-general, Father Samuel Pangestu encouraged Catholics to practice social welfare. "This is a form of divine mercy, which can free people from the shackles of sin," he said.

"Sharing with others is a common thing among Catholics," he told ucanews.com. "But it should not be done because we are so great but because we believe in God and it is the fruit of our mature faith."

As well as feeding the poor, the archdiocese has encouraged local Catholics to make pilgrimages to at least nine parish churches including Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral Church as well as nearby retreat houses.

Anastasia Ellin Subandi from St. James Parish in Kelapa Gading, North Utara, said she had visited more than nine parish churches. "I go on pilgrimages when I have time," she said. "I usually go with a group from my neighborhood."

She said that focusing on her faith has allowed her to let go of difficult emotions. "In the past, it was difficult for me to forgive others," she added. "But now I can feel at peace."

Rayendra Yudhika, 22, from St. John Bosco Parish in Sunter, North Jakarta, has visited four parish churches so far. "I started the pilgrimages in February," he said. "The pilgrimages help me grow in faith."

Yudhika said he is also using the Year of Mercy as a chance to partake in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. "I hadn't made a confession for two years," he said. "But the Year of Mercy is a great moment to take this sacrament."

Source: UCAN

Church, green groups press for new Philippine mining law

Existing legislation criticized for being environmentally and people unfriendly.

Manila:  Church and environmental groups in the Philippines are calling on the government to pass a mining law that will "provide stronger social and environmental safeguards."

"We encourage the government to take a closer look and review our existing mining policies," said Father Edwin Gariguez, head of the social action secretariat of the country's Catholic bishops.

The priest, a recipient of the Goldman Environmental Prize, told ucanews.com that only by replacing the existing mining law can people be protected from the hazards of mining.

"We must replace existing policies with pro-people, pro-environment laws," said Father Gariguez.

The priest said the current mining law favors mining companies instead of protecting the environment and people.

"Unfair provisions of the law allow large mining corporations to exhaust our natural resources with minimal accountability," he said.

Father Gariguez said mining has "only brought more poverty, tragedies, and injustices" to host communities, especially in tribal lands.

Since President Rodrigo Duterte — who banned mining when he was mayor of the southern city of Davao — assumed office at least eight large-scale mining operations have been suspended.

Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of the anti-mining group Alyansa Tigil Mina, welcomed the suspensions.

"The mining industry must uphold not just the strictest environmental standards but also the rights of mining-affected communities and the rest of the Filipino people," Garganera said.

He said, however, that government efforts "must be institutionalized" to prevent mining companies using the technicalities of the existing Philippine Mining Act to continue operations.

Father Gariguez and Gaganera expressed support for the passage of the proposed "Alternative Minerals Management Bill" set to be filed in the Senate on Aug. 25.

The proposed bill aims to revoke the country's existing mining policies and to enact an alternative mining law.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, a proponent of the bill, said there is a "dire need" to review the licenses of mining companies in the country to ensure environmental protection.

Judy Pasimio of the tribal women's group Lilak has called on the government to not only look into alleged environmental violations committed by mining companies but also the "countless cases of human rights violations" in mining communities.

"While there are positive developments in some mining areas, including the suspension of activities and moratorium on the approval of all new mining projects, there are still issues that need to be addressed," Pasimio told ucanews.com.

The mining law, which was passed by Congress in 1995, allows for foreign ownership of mining assets and exploration permits.

Source: UCAN

Mother Teresa's statue to be installed in Kolkata

The Archbishop announced that the statue would be installed at a special function on Aug 25 - the eve of Mother Teresa's birthday.

Kolkata:  Archbishop Thomas D'Souza of Kolkata announced on Aug 19 at a press meet that a life-size bronze statue of Mother Teresa would be installed at the Bishop’s house next to where the statue of Pope John Paul II currently stands.

The Archbishop announced that the statue would be installed at a special function on Aug 25 - the eve of Mother Teresa's birthday.

The statue has been donated by Mr Namit Bajoria who is the Designate Honorary Consul of Republic of Macedonia in Kolkata who is also engaged in various philanthropic activities.

The statue would be installed by Church Art - a Kolkata-based firm engaged in making various works of art for the church, schools and museums.

Mother Teresa was born in 1910 in Skopje the capital city of the Republic of Macedonia where the government earlier this month announced that Macedonia will mark the declaration of Mother Teresa a saint with several events and manifestations.

Source: India Blooms

Dalit Christians launch own Chamber of Commerce and Industries

The leaders addressed the different schemes and programs of the government to start businesses.

Chennai:  Dalit Christians in India have launched their own Chamber of Commerce and Industries to encourage and support entrepreneurs among them with an aim to work for social and economic liberation of the oppressed castes.

A meeting of some 150 Dalit Christian entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs discussed challenges ahead of them before formerly launching the Christian-Dalit India Chamber of Commerce and Industries (C-DICCI).

The Aug. 20 meeting and launch program in Chennai was organized by the Indian bishops’ office for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribe people.

Leaders of Dalit India Chamber of Commerce and Industries (DICC) addressed the gathering, which also included bank managers and industrialists.

The leaders addressed the different schemes and programs of the government to start businesses. Programs of the federal government was also highlighted.

C-DICCI will help the Dalit Christians to start businesses by guiding them to make use of the Government programs schemes and trainings, said a press release.

The newly launched initiative will also act as an independent body for which the CBCI Office for SC/BC will give its moral support and guidance.

The Dalit Christian chamber, which has been under discussion and preparation fro some time, is initiative of Father Devasagayaraj, secretary to the CBCI Office for SC/BC.

END

Vatican honors two Bangladeshi Catholics

Former Caritas executive director, late government minister awarded Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for service to church, society.

Dhaka:  Vatican has conferred prestigious awards on two prominent Bangladeshi Catholics for their outstanding contribution to the church and Bangladesh society.

Benedict Alo D'Rozario, former executive director of the church's social service agency, Caritas Bangladesh, and late Catholic politician and parliamentarian Promod Mankin were awarded the "Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice," also known as 'Cross of Honor' on Aug. 19.

The award is the highest honor the pope can give to Catholics for services to the church and society.

D'Rozario and Mankin are the first laypeople from Bangladesh to receive the award.

Archbishop Georger Kocherry, apostolic nuncio to Bangladesh presented the awards to D'Rozario and Mamata Areng, Mankin's wife at the Catholic Bishops Conference of Bangladesh secretariat in Dhaka.

All eight Bangladeshi Catholic bishops and about 60 representatives of the Catholic community attended the ceremony.

D'Rozario began working for Caritas in 1987 and retired on June 23 this year after serving as executive director for 11 years.

He has also served as a board member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Caritas Internationalis, Notre Dame University, Bangladesh and country's only Catholic news weekly Pratibeshi (Neighbor).

Despite Christians being a small minority, representing less than half a percent of Muslim-majority Bangladesh's 160 million people, Caritas has made great strides in the development of poor and marginalized communities since independence in 1971.

Currently, eight Caritas regional offices help 2 million families directly with 95 projects that include education, vocational training, livelihood, water, sanitation, health and climate change adaptation programs.

Mankin began his professional life as a teacher in a church-run school. He later pursued a career in law and development activities. He worked as regional director for Caritas in Mymensingh from 1987-1990.

In 1991, he was elected as a parliamentarian for the center-left Awami League party, and served as Minister for Cultural Affairs from 2009-2012 and Minister for Social Welfare from 2012 until his death on May 11 of this year.

He also helped set up the Tribal Welfare Association, a tribal rights and social organization in the 1990s and had led Bangladesh Christian Association, the country's largest Christian rights forum as president since 2003.

Mankin played an outstanding role in fighting for the rights of Christian and indigenous communities and was lauded for his efforts in promoting harmony among Christian denominations in Bangladesh.

Source: UCAN