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Kottayam (Kerala) | The priests, nuns and laity of the Kerala-based Syro-Malabar Church are jubilant as their priest, George Jacob Koovakad, will be elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica, on December 7, at 9 PM. Koovakad, 51, from Kerala, who has been organising Pope Francis' international travels since 2020, will be among the 21 clergy elevated to the rank of Cardinal. Previously, Koovakad, who held the title of Monsignor, was declared the Titular Archbishop of Nisibis in Turkey. The priest is currently based in the Vatican. A delegation from the Archdiocese of Changanassery, to which he belongs, departed for the Vatican on Thursday to attend the ordination ceremony scheduled for Saturday. The delegation is led by Changanassery Archbishop Mar Thomas Tharayil. Archbishop Koovakad becomes the third Cardinal from the Changanassery Archdiocese, following the late Cardinal Antony Padiyara and Cardinal George Alencherry. Born on 11 August 1973 in Thiruvananthapuram, Koovakad was ordained as a priest on July 24, 2004. He later pursued training for diplomatic service at the prestigious Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.
Kottayam (Kerala,), May 27 (PTI) Sister Anupama, who was the face of protests against former Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal in a rape case, has renounced nunhood and gone back to ordinary life, leaving the Catholic convent. For several years, she had been an inmate of a Kuravilangad-based convent, which is functioning under the Latin Catholic diocese of Jalandhar. A group of nuns, led by Sister Anupama, had fought on behalf of the victim nun who had accused Mulakkal of raping her multiple times. "She renounced nunhood and left the convent some time back," a church source told PTI. Howeve ...Read More >
Patna, Aug 1 (PTI) Healthcare services were affected at AIIMS-Patna on Friday as resident doctors went on an "indefinite strike" in protest against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand. According to a press statement issued by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS-Patna, on Friday, "The RDA expresses deep disappointment and anguish over the lack of action by the administration following the violent and traumatic incident that occurred on Wednesday, when MLA Chetan Anand, his wife and their armed guards breached hospital security, physically assaulted staff, and thr ...Read More >
A special court in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district has granted bail to two nuns from Kerala and one other person. They were arrested on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion following a complaint by a Bajrang Dal functionary. The court's decision came after a hearing where the prosecution did not request custody for interrogation. A special court in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district on Saturday granted bail to three persons, including two nuns from Kerala, arrested on char ...Read More >
'They should be given a strong message that they are not the ones who decide the rule of the land, and they are not the ones who decide what justice is.' IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets the heads of various Christian organisations during his visit to Kerala. Photograph: ANI Photo It was on the 26th of July that Preethi Merry and Vandana Francis, two Catholic nuns from Kerala, working in the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, were arrested along with Sukaman Mandavi, a youth from Narayanpur ...Read More >
Delhi (AsiaNews) - A significant step towards religious freedom and worship in the southern Indian state of Kerala, one of the most tolerant in terms of worship with a significant Christian (and Muslim) presence, capable of coexisting with the Hindu majority. A note from the Chief Minister's office points out that the local government, with a measure made official on 9 March, has granted maximum recognition to Pentecostal churches as part of the Church and as a Christian denomination. The decision comes a few days after a delegation of Pentecostal Church leaders met with Prime Minister Pinara ...Read More >
Goa minister Mauvin Godinho said that Pope Francis's visit to India is likely imminent, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation. During the feast of St. Francis Xavier, Cardinal Luis Tagle conveyed appreciation for the event in Goa, which will likely encourage the Pope's visit, including Goa on his itinerary.Goa minister Mauvin Godinho on Tuesday said that Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, was likely to visit India "sooner than expected". Recalling that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited Pope Francis, Godinho said Goa would certainly be on his itinerary when he ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is aiming to expand its footprint in Kerala in the upcoming Assembly elections with the support of the 19% Christian population in the state alongside its core Hindu vote, is on the defensive in the wake of some Christian denominations opposing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) amendment bill moved by the Union government in the Lok Sabha. The bill, introduced by Union Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai in the lower house of Parliament on March 25, has the stated aim of regulating inflow of foreign funds to ...Read More >
Sabarimala temple's former administrative officer B Murari Babu has been taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team probing missing gold. Babu, suspended by the Travancore Devaswom Board, is accused in cases involving the disappearance of gold from temple idols and door frames. He allegedly forwarded proposals for electroplating, claiming the gold-clad plates were copper. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the missing gold from the Sabarimala temple has taken former administr ...Read More >
NAGAPATTINAM: Special Easter Vigil prayers were held at the world-renowned Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, popularly known as the "Rome of the East," to mark the start of Easter Sunday at Velankanni in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu on Saturday night. The celebrations began with the Paschal Vigil ceremony. During the ritual, the "Paschal Light," symbolising the resurrection of Jesus Christ, was lit by the Rector of the Basilica, Fr. Irudhayaraj, followed by solemn prayers. The sacred ceremony drew thousands of devotees from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, who offer ...Read More >
Chhattisgarh/Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1 (SocialNews.XYZ) The NIA Court in Bilaspur, after hearing both sides on the bail application moved by the two arrested Kerala nuns, posted the matter for Saturday. The counsel appearing for the two nuns said the case was heard in detail by the court as both sides presented their part. "The case diary was asked for by the court, and it was produced by the police. The prosecution, as always, did their job, but they have informed the court that the three ladies are not minors. We presented our part and said the allegations levelled against our parties are ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is aiming to expand its footprint in Kerala in the upcoming Assembly elections with the support of the 19% Christian population in the state alongside its core Hindu vote, is on the defensive in the wake of some Christian denominations opposing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) amendment bill moved by the Union government in the Lok Sabha. The bill, introduced by Union Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai in the ...Read More >
Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 5 (ANI): Special Easter Vigil prayers were held at the world-renowned Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health, popularly known as the "Rome of the East," to mark the start of Easter Sunday at Velankanni in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu on Saturday night. The celebrations began with the Paschal Vigil ceremony. During the ritual, the "Paschal Light," symbolising the resurrection of Jesus Christ, was lit by the Rector of the Basilica, Fr. Irudhayaraj, followed by solemn prayers. Also Read | Mumbai Human Trafficking: Minor Boy Forced To 'Act' As Transge ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 30 (PTI) The BJP's efforts to court Christian voters in Kerala have suffered a setback following opposition from Church leaders to the proposed amendments to the FCRA. With the Assembly elections approaching, the opposition Congress and the ruling CPI(M) have seized on the issue, labelling the Centre's Bill as "anti-Christian" and demanding its immediate withdrawal. Church leaders have expressed concern that tighter regulations on foreign funding would disproportionately affect charitable institutions run by the Church. BJP leaders, however, said the proposed amendme ...Read More >
CHHATTISGARH/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The NIA Court in Bilaspur, after hearing both sides on the bail application moved by the two arrested Kerala nuns, posted the matter for Saturday. The counsel appearing for the two nuns said the case was heard in detail by the court as both sides presented their part. "The case diary was asked for by the court, and it was produced by the police. The prosecution, as always, did their job, but they have informed the court that the three ladies are not minors. We presented our part and said the allegations levelled against our parties are totally baseless, and th ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Irinjalakuda Diocese in Kerala on Sunday issued a sharp rebuke to Thalassery Archbishop Joseph Pamplany over his remarks praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their purported role in securing the release of two nuns arrested in Chhattisgarh. Bishop Mar Pauly Kannookadan, head of the Irinjalakuda Diocese, made it clear that only authorised Church leadership is empowered to express the official position of the Church. "Only Church heads are entitled to state the Church's stand. Individual opinions do not refle ...Read More >
Easter follows Good Friday and marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ, making it the most significant festival in Christianity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday extended Easter greetings, saying the teachings of Jesus Christ should inspire people to show kindness and strengthen the spirit of togetherness in society. "Greetings on Easter. This sacred day celebrates hope and renewal. May it bring peace, joy and brightness to everyone's lives," PM Modi said in a post on X. He added that the ...Read More >
SHILLONG, April 8: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, accompanied by a delegation from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), met Union Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju in New Delhi on Wednesday to express concerns over the proposed Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The delegation, which included Cardinal Anthony Poola, Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto, and other senior church representatives, highlighted the critical role played by Christian educational, healthcare, and social service institutions in Meghalaya and the Northeast, particularly in remo ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram |Christians across Kerala on Sunday celebrated Easter, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, with solemn prayers, festivities and traditional feasts after the 40-day Lenten observance. Devotees, including women and children, thronged churches to attend midnight and dawn masses held across the state. Special prayers and services were conducted in churches of various denominations, with bishops and senior clergy leading the liturgy and delivering messages of hope, renewal, ...Read More >
Kochi, Oct 17 (PTI) The Catholic Congress, an organisation of the laity under the Syro-Malabar church, on Friday told the Kerala High Court that the upcoming Malayalam movie 'Haal' starring Shine Nigam has "objectionable content" which could cause "religious disharmony". The claim was made by the Christian organisation in an application filed in the High Court seeking impleadment in a plea moved by the film's producers alleging an inordinate delay by the censor board (CBFC) in issuing the censorship certificate. Justice V G Arun allowed the impleadment application and listed the matter on Oc ...Read More >
Thodupuzha: The arrest of two Kerala nuns in Chhattisgarh has triggered widespread protests across Kerala. Bishop Mar George Madathikandathil of the Kothamangalam Diocese demanded that the false charges filed against the nuns be withdrawn unconditionally by the court. He emphasised that merely granting bail is not sufficient. The bishop was speaking at the inauguration of a prayer rally and public meeting held in Thodupuzha, organised jointly by the CRI and various diocesan organisations. He urged government officials and authorities -- who, he said, have come under the influence of religiou ...Read More >
Shillong, Apr 8 (UNI) Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday met union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to express concerns over key provisions of the proposed Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill. Sangma, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister in-charge of Home Prestone Tynsong, members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), the apex body of the Catholic Church in the country, and other stakeholders, met Rijiju in New Delhi. "We have conveyed the concerns expressed by Christian organisations, particularly regarding provisions related to th ...Read More >