Brave Priest Suspended for Criticizing the Administration of Pope Francis on Islam and Amoris Laetitia

Edward Pushparaj at his Deaconal Ordination by the Archbishop of
Pescara. Because of criticism leveled against Pope Francis, the recently ordained priest
from India was supsended

(Rome) He, a Catholic priest, criticized Pope Francis on the last Palm Sunday in his homily - and was suspended.

According to Il Pescara of 10 April, Palm Sunday Mass in the Parish of St. Anthony of Padua in the town of Montesilvano in the Abruzzi in Italy came to grief. In the parish, the Indian priest, Edward Arulrai Pushparaj has been serving for some time. Don Pushparaj had already worked as a deacon in the parish. Already in the past he had criticized the office of Pope Francis. He did so in his sermon on Palm Sunday.

The priest had described "Pope Bergoglio, as an evil for the Church," according to the daily newspaper, referring to eye witnesses. The Indian criticized the "extreme openness to dialogue" with regard to positions and persons who represent positions that are openly contradictory to the doctrine of the Church. In particular, the priest criticized the "willingness to dialogue with Islam." His criticism also against the post-synodal letter Amoris laetitia was "hard".

Msgr. Tommaso Valentinetti, Archbishop of Pescara-Penne, was informed about the content of the sermon.This required enlightenment from the local pastor, Don Antonio Del Casale. The preaching had to serve the "meditation of the readings of the day, and certainly not to give personal judgments, especially if they were not in communion with the Pope," the archbishop said. "I think it is right to give the priest a time of rest and free him from his present obligations. It is certain that priestly ministry in the Catholic Church presupposes communion with the Holy Father." [LOL]

The archbishop also announced: "I intend to visit the parish of St Anthony of Padua at Easter, to take care of their sorrows."

The complaint against the Indian priest had been presented by the faithful to the Archbishop, as the daily newspaper had shown through. Some of the faithful even accuse the priest of "raising his voice to criticism" on the sidelines of his sermons.

Don Edward Arulrai Pushparaj was ordained priest in 2013 by his local bishop, Archbishop Antony Pappusamy of Madurai, but sent to the "sister diocese" of Pescara-Penne. Don Pushparaj comes from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. He had already begun his theological studies in India and then continued at the papal universities in Rome.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Photo: La Porzione (Screenshot)

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG

Highest Court in India: Homosexuality is a Crime -- Cardinal Gracias: "Homosexuals Aren't Criminals"

(New Delhi) The Supreme Court of India lifted a judgment of the Supreme Court of Delhi from 2009 that legalized homosexual acts. Aberro-associations accuse Hindu, Islamic and Christian organizations to have exerted pressure to enforce the reinstatement of the ban. In contrast, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai took a position: "No to gay marriage, but the Christian community is against any form of discrimination. Homosexuals have the same dignity as any other person. "

The Supreme Court made ​​its decision, the law restores the punishment of the homosexual act as a "crime against nature". The highest court of India previously toppled that ruling in 2009, which decriminalized homosexual acts. "Gay" activists are now criticizing religious organizations and are condemning Hindus, Muslims and Christians, of having exerted pressure so that the prohibition is restored. Cardinal Gracias told Asianews that "the Catholic Church has never been against the decriminalization of homosexuality, because we have never considered homosexuals as criminals." [False]

Repealed Decriminalization of 2009 

On 2 July 2009, the Supreme Court had canceled paragraph 377 (crime against nature) from Delhi of the Indian Penal Code which came from the British colonial period. The Court stated that sexual acts that take place between consenting adults, are part of the private and therefore not a crime. Until then, someone could even be convicted of homosexual acts and face to up to ten years in prison, in severe cases, to life imprisonment. However, the paragraph was not in fact applied.

Shri BP Singha, a leader of the Hindu Nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who praised the judgment, who raised his objection, because "homosexual acts are illegal, immoral and against the ethos of Indian culture."

Cardinal Gracias: "Catholic Church pays tribute to Homosexuals With Full Respect"

Cardinal Garcia emphasized to Asianews: "As Christians, we express our full respect of homosexuals. The Catholic Church opposes the legalization of gay marriage, but teaches that homosexuals have the same dignity as anyone else and condemns all forms of unjust discrimination, persecution or abuse."

Criticism of the statements of Cardinal were leveled by Christian groups such as the Christian Mission Movement. "Respect" you have to pay every man as such, but not because someone is gay, because then one would respect his homosexual acts. But they are sin. That is why the choice of words by the Cardinal are "inappropriate" and not useful for communicating the Christian faith among people who practice homosexuality.

Cardinal Gracias represents Asia in Pope Francis's C-8 Cardinals' Advisory erected last April, to advise him in the reform of the Roman Curia and the leadership of the Church.

Text: Asianews / Giuseppe Nardi image: Asianews
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

NB: Cardinal Gracias is also hostile to the TLM from what we can gather from a local traditional Indian blog. It appears he has closed the TLM down there.



Link to Katholisches....
AMGD

India: Pentecostal Imprisoned for Baptizing a Woman

(New Delhi) in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is a Pentecostal pastor who has spent  two days in jail because he baptized a woman. Hindu extremists from the Rashtriya Sawayamsevak Sangh (RSS) say he pursuing forced conversions and are bringing the pastor to trial. Pastor Reuben of the End Time Church of Gundur christened a woman on July 18th on her specific request. Hindu extremists took him out to the police by Srinangam for display.  The charge was "Pollution of the river Cauvery," in which the baptism took place, and "forced conversions".  Police arrested the pastor and immediately detained him. 

Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) protested publicly and spoke of "the persecution of Christians that seems to have become a legitimate practice in the state of Tamil Nadu." 

In October 2002, the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu enacted a law banning conversion, which should in principle prevent conversions of Hindus to Christianity. The law was repealed in May 2004 after the defeat of the BJP again. Nevertheless, Christians are under severe pressure as the recent incident shows.

Link to katholisches....

Radio Maria India -- Mary as the Foyer to the Evangelization of Hindus, Buddhists and Muslems

(Kerala) Radio Maria, the world's largest Catholic radio network also broadcasts in India. On Sunday, the 30th of June, Radio Maria India  inaugurated it broadcasting studios. The blessing of the premises and equipment of the transmitter located in the city of Kochi in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala was carried out in the presence of representatives of the Government of India and the World Family of Radio Maria. The World Family of Radio Maria is the umbrella organization founded in 1998, in which all Radio Maria stations are connected together. In German-speaking countries they are the Radio Horeb: Austria Radio Maria, Radio Maria Südtirol and Radio Maria German Switzerland .

Father Rapahael Kootumghal, the program director of Radio Maria in India , welcomed hundreds of employees, priests, laity, religious women and men who participated in the preparation and design the programming for the Marian transmitter. The consecration of the station was led by Bishop Joseph Kariyil of Kochi. In his address, the Bishop wished that the broadcaster bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to all families and households. India is a land of "rapid growth". The people "need to learn from salvation and mercy of our Savior and Redeemer," said Bishop Kariyil.

The broadcaster company and the further expansion of Radio Maria India was also made ​​possible by donations under the Mariathon, a prayer and fundraising marathon by Radio Maria stations. Mariathon , the Marian marathon, was broadcast from the 10th to 12th of May  (see separate report). With the proceeds, eleven stations established or yet-to-be recently promoted in as many countries. One of these projects is Radio Maria India .

Radio Maria in India was largely at the behest of the currennt program director Father Raphael. As a missionary he had met Radio Maria in Ecuador and recognized the need to build such a station in India. He informed his bishop about the idea of setting up a radio station for proselytizing and evangelizing and made ​​contact with the World Family of Radio Maria. With a visit by a representative of the World Family in 2008, Kochi's early work began. Today India Radio Maria broadcasts on Internet radio. The state of Kerala has the highest with a 20 percent share of Christians in India. There  Radio Maria India also appears in the Malayalam language of the people.

Program director,  Father Raphael, sees an important access to Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims and thus for the evangelization,  especially in the worship of Mary. In Asia, there are three countries that have their own Radio Maria stations: Radio Maria, India , Radio Maria Indonesia and Radio Maria Philippines . Lebanon broadcasts a partner station in the world family.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Radio Maria India

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMGD

In an Indian Diocese the Number of Catholics Has Grown 40%

(New Delhi) In the Diocese of Itangar in the Indian province of Arunachal Pradesh the Catholic Church is experiencing extraordinary growth. The main reason for this are unexplained healings, which the Diocesan Bishop, Msgr John Kattrukudiyl reported on his visit to Germany, to which he was invited by the Papal aid organization "Kirche in Not".

 Since 1980, the number of Catholics in the outlaying areas in north east India has grown 40 percent. The Bishop has continually received reports of healings, which "amaze". On first reaction one is inclined to "skepticism" said Msgr. Kattrukudiyl, "really the persons concerned are absolutely convinced that they have been healed by divine intervention."

 The Bishop described a man who seeked out the Church after he had married a Catholic wman. "Upon becoming a Catholic one asked him to pray for a cripple. The next day, the cripple stood up and went on his own feet to Church". After his conversion, he's been an especially active member of the Catholic community.

Msgr. Kattrukudiyl is familiar with the skepticism, which which many in Europe would greet these reports of miracles. He has received this mainly in western countries. But against all of these doubts, "there are many healings, reported to me, which we simply can't ignore." The Bishop has looked for an explanation in the rellative youth of his Diocese. "It is the experience of a very young Church, which is experiencing the same grace, as in the times of the Apostles," as miraculous healings were common, as reported by the New Testament.

 A common pattern is shown by the various unexplained healings. The miracles happen, after the faithful gather in a house to pray in common where someone is sick. "People, who have been sick for a long time, were healed. These people are living the experience of the early Church." The healings through prayer have led the Church to spread quickly. The situation of the Church in this area has improved significantly.

The Church isn't just tolerated, but is recognized and praised for its humanitarian activities. About one fifth of the population confesses Christianity.

Translated: Tancred
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Wikicommons

Original...katholisches...

Muslims Attack Catholic Church in India

Srinagar (AsiaNews) - An "planned" attack, with the clear goal of "scaring to death the Christian community. The chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir must act to ensure security for the faithful and places of worship", says Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), reacting to AsiaNews to the arson attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Srinagar, two days ago. The main entrance was completely destroyed, but the timely intervention of a security guard prevented the fire from degenerating. Cameras captured two attacker who targeted the Church in the evening (20.30 hours the local, ed) their names are still unknown. All Christian communities in the valley of Kashmir have expressed solidarity with the Catholic Church.

The films show two men taking advantage of the temporary absence of the security guard. In those moments, the attackers threw petrol and other flammable material at the front door, then set it on fire. Fortunately, the guard came back in time to stop the fire to spreading: the entire building structure is made of wood.

Fr. Mathew Thomas, pastor of Holy Family, told AsiaNews: "What happened to us is very worrying. Watching the video, you understand that it is a premeditated attack, and that the two attackers were well aware of what happens in church. At the end of January, my bike was burnt, we have not found out why, nor who the culprits were. It was clear that even then, the goal was the church. On two other occasions, the Virgin has interceded for us. May She protect us and save us
Link to Asianews...

Obituary: A Holy Jesuit Priest from Canada

Edit: rather than take the bus, this Jesuit liked to walk.  He lived a simple life with few comforts save for the joy of learning and inventing.  His simplicity was an inspiration to many.


June 12, 1931 - January 22, 2012


Fr Lawrence Abello SJ, renowned professor, inventor and a devout companion of Mother Teresa passed away on January 22, 2012 at St Xavier's College, Kolkata. Born in Leuven, Saskatchewan, Fr Abello joined the Jesuits in 1956; he volunteered for the Darjeeling Mission, and took his final vows in 1974. He taught philosophy in India, earned a PhD in physics from Wayne State University, Detroit and held two patents for his inventions. Fr Abello was a champion of the unborn, immersed himself in the service of the poor and guided many who chose to work with the poor in Kolkata. He is survived by brothers Fr Louis and Tony Abello and sister Ms Giacinta Auser. He will be sadly missed by many. Fr Abello will be laid to rest in the Jesuit cemetery at Kolkata. 


Donations in his memory may be send to: Canadian Jesuits International,
70 Saint Mary Street,
Toronto ON Canada, M5S 1J3
Tel: 414651824, Toll Free             1-800-448-2148      
www.canadianjesuitsinternational.ca

Image from Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit.

Syro-Malabar head dies after collapsing in Mass

Tuesday, 19 April 2011

By Catholic News Service COCHIN, India - Church leaders mourned the death of Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Indian Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, who died 1 April at the age of 84. Photo: CNS/Catholic Press The Cardinal, who headed the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly, collapsed while celebrating Mass on 1 April and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died, reported the Asian Church news agency UCA News. The 84 year old prelate had suffered from heart problems. His funeral was scheduled for after 10 April because most Syro-Malabar Bishops were in Rome for their ad limina visits in which they report on the status of their dioceses. Auxiliary Bishop Bosco Puthur of Ernakulam-Angamaly will take over as administrator of the Syro-Malabar Church and must convene a Synod which will elect a new major Archbishop. Pope Benedict XVI sent a telegram to express his condolences and recalled “the Cardinal’s dedication and service to the Syro-Malabars and to the universal Church.” Mumbai Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, praised Cardinal Vithayathil as a “great missionary and exemplary priest, who contributed a lot for the growth of the Church in India and the Syro-Malabar Church.”

Read further...

H/t: Pewsitter

Orissa: For Christians, the Terror Returns

New wave of anti-Christian violence in India -- no trace of police reaction in the most recent incidents.

Bhubaneshwar, India (kath.net/Fidesdienst) A new wave of violence sparked a renewal of fear and terror in Christian Communities in India: as on the scenes observers of Fidesdienst report since last December in the last year in the district of Malkangiri in the State of Orissa, renewed attacks have been made against Christians by the local tribal people of the region. In the last month the attacks have become more serious: there have been a total of 10 assaults reported, at which a number of faithful were wounded, including even women and children. As the Pastor Vijay Purusu of the Evangelical "Betel Church" reports, Christians were attacked in nightly assaults: at least four Christian families have fled their homes in fear.



The East Indian State Orissa and in particular the district of Khandamal were already in the years of 2007-2008 showplace for a long series of attacks and aggression against Christians, where at least 6.600 homes of Christians were destroyed and over 56.000 people lost their homes. According to reports by local observers from these communities there are feared to be new episodes coming, it is believed that the Hindu formed Militias of the "Rashtiriya Swayamsevak Sangh" (RSS) are concealed behind these attacks. This will mean the spread of renewed fear and terror that will lead many Christians will leave the region, should the local authorities not take action.

The Christians reported the episodes in the recent weeks to the police, but have received in any case no official response. In the mean time, the faithful of have formed "peace committees", which will attempt to defuse the situation. The cause of these recent tensions are the conversions of some of the tribal people inhabiting the villages to Christianity, which the Hindus do not approve of. "The attacks also come because some Hindus do not value to know Christianity in the area of Social and Public Health," said an observer from Fidesdienst.

in the mean time Orissa is further in the middle of the public interest of India: the "All India Christian Council" AICC have delivered a memorandum to persuade the Indian Interior Minister P. Chidambaram and the Premier Minister of the State of Orrisa, Naveen Patnaik, to allow the Christian formation of a "National Investigation Agency", whose intent is to demonstrate the responsibility of the radical Hindu network "Sang Parivar" in connection with the anti-christian violence in Orissa in 2008. John Dayal directing member of the AICC, explains: "There is no doubt that the members of Sang Parivar participated in the violence."

A further more heavy episode of violence has been reported from the State of Rajasthan in Northewestern India: in Jaipur a Christian pastor from the people of Adivasi was forced to run naked through the main street of the city, while Hindu youth followed him on motorized bicycles and ridiculed him. Concerning the incident, about which the local media have not reported, occurred on the 1st of February and for over a month since it was reported to the police, who have still failed to apprehend those responsible.

Link to kath.net...

Related:

Hindu Convert to Christianity Slain.

Elephants of Orissa.

Video of the Brutal Beating of Christians by Hindus in Orissa.

18 Bishops in a Hunger Strike -- 56 Churches Destroyed, And Government Exonerates Perpetrators

(New Delhi) Thousands of Christians from Karnataka are protesting with demonstrations and hunger strikes against a government report.  Instead of reaffirming justice for the Christians, it vindicated both anti-Christian Hindu organizations who were behind the unrest in 2008.  At that time, 56 churches were burned or destroyed.  The president of the Global Council of Indian Christians greeted the report as "a bundle of lies that will  misinform and confuse people."  A counter-report was sent today to the Governor and the Prime Minister of Karnataka.

 18 Bishops [13 Catholic] participated in a silent hunger strike on the property of St. Mark-University of Bangalore, among them the Archbishop of Bangalore, Msgr Bernard Moras.  At the protest and the hunger strike the Bishops present, the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) and the Christians of Karnatakas have forged a counter-report with the title: "1000 Day Government, 236 Attacks, 1000 traumatized people".

The official report of the Somsekhar-Investigative Commission exonerated the radical Hindu organizations Bajrang Dal and Sangh Parivar.  The Bishops called a press conference to make note of this, that this exoneration is "politically motivated".  At the end of the report, where both Hindu organizations were exonerated, was a listing of the 56 churches destroyed by the perpetrators.  In 12 cases Bajrang Dal was named, in one case Sangh Parivar.  For that reason it was inconceivable, say the Christians, how the report came to its final ruling.

Te President of the GCIC, Sajan K. George, reiterated the complaint which the Christians have been making for two years:  "28 attacks, which took place between August and September 2008, were accomplished by Hindu extremists, in the first line of Bajrang Dal.  The Somakeshar-report made the exact opposite report after a year of published investigations, which named the leaders of the Hindu National Party and National Hindu Organizasions as responsible for the anti-Christian excesses of the police.  At that point the contacts between the radical organizations and the Hindu government party of Karnatakas were proven.

Sajan K. George portrayed the Somasekhar-report during the press conference, as the "exoneration of unjust violence of the police against women and children in the churches of Kulschekara and Vamanjoor."

(Asianews/Giuseppe Nardi, Bild: Asianews)

As the Guardian reports, they are also protesting that charges against 150 Christians who were injured in the attacks be dropped.

Archdiocese cracks whip: Impropriety in Property Sales

Archdiocese cracks whip

More on illegal sale of Church property, here...

Priest defends himself, here...

Rampaging Elephants Attack People Who Persecuted Christians in 2008

Nature definitely exacts a price for sins, but this is more dramatic, almost miraculous. It reminds us of the Ents attacking Isengard.

In July 2008 a severe persecution of Christians broke out in the Indian state of Orissa. A 22 year old nun was burnt to death when angry mobs burnt down an orphanage in Khuntpali village in Barhgarh district, another nun was gang raped in Kandhamal, mobs attacked churches, torched vehicles, houses of Christians destroyed, and Fr. Thomas Chellen, director of the pastoral center that was destroyed with a bomb, had a narrow escape after a Hindu mob nearly set him on fire. The end result saw more than 500 Christians murdered, and thousands of others injured and homeless after their houses were reduced to ashes. Recently a strange and dramatic event took place in Orissa, which has many people talking and wondering.

In recent months, herds of wild elephants have begun to storm villages that are home to some of the worst persecutors of Christians during the troubles. In one village, where in August a year ago the Christians had to run for their lives while their homes were being destroyed by rioters, a herd of elephants emerged from the surrounding jungle exactly one year later, in July 2009, at the same time of the day of the attack.

These elephants first attacked a rock crusher machine owned by a key leader of the persecution movement. They then went on to destroy his house and farms.

Hundreds of villagers have been forced to take shelter in camps in the Indian state of Orissa after repeated attacks by a herd of elephants.

Seven people have been killed and several others injured in attacks by a herd of 12-13 elephants over the past few weeks in Kandhamal district.

Over 2,500 people living in 45 villages have been affected by the attacks, district chief Krishen Kumar said.


Read further...

Catholics and Orthodox Sharing Priestly Duties in India

Catholic and Orthodox Churches have agreed to share priestly services and infrastructure, in a major development in their 356-year-old troubled history.

The Inter-religious Dialogue Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council met with the Syrian Jacobite and Syrian orthodox Churches mid December to seek ways to foster better unity and cooperation among them, UCA News reports.

The three Churches are based in Kerala, southern India, and trace their faith to Saint Thomas the Apostle.
The Church split in 1653 after Portuguese missioners tried to impose their ways on the native Christians.

Link to orignal...

Pernicious Maoist influence in Nepal

More news about the usual ineptitude in countries affected by communist governments or influence. The Maoists in Nepal are bent on destroying the country and we can't think of any other way of seeing it than that powers outside of the country wish to erase the national history of a people as an experiment and an imperialistic motivation.

Those who burn the country by fire but talk of New Nepal are traitors. The country can run only on the bases of causes and effects. Politics without ideology has no meaning. In Nepal, so called parties Congress, UML and Maoists have no idea how to run the Nepal. Unless and until we are honest, the country would not get anything whatever you talk on idealistic and improved constitution. None of the parities or leaders was honest to nationality and democracy since 1990 (2047 BS). They thought the movement for democracy was just to rise in power, earn money, loot the country and get more personal facilities. Globally, the state has been constructed in two ways, either by dictating the people or by self motivated participation of people. In the world, some wonderful jobs have been done even by dictating the people. However the time has passed for dictators. Nothing can be obtained by imposition in national politics. The popular movement of 2005 (2063 BS) has been converted to a betrayal. In the name of construction of constitution, Congress, UML, Maoists and Madheshis are committed to demolish all established symbols, identities and beliefs of the nation. Apart to mandate of popular movement, Nepal's existence has been made endangered.

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Monarchy threatened in Nepal by India and China

The following article appeared in the India Times and points to India's growing interest in the government of Nepal which it apparently seeks to destabilize by overthrowing the monarchy. Mr Prasai, quoted in the article, quite rightly identifies the historical consequences that invariably follow from the overthrow of monarchy, an anarchy from which the Indian government hopes it will benefit.

Here...

The writer Mr. Prasai with the former president of India-1987

It is true that there are many countries which do not have monarchy still they could remain independent and prosperous. But in a diverse country like Nepal, monarchy is the only basis of national unity and Nepal cannot be compared with other countries. Indian conspirators are taking some deviant leaders of the political parties on their shoulders with the sole aim that it will be easy for them to control Nepal if monarchy can be displaced. But such a situation will be a happy one for India also. Some communist parties take monarchy as the root cause of Nepal’s all woes. This is not correct. No Nepalese king has ever acted or walked on the path which is against Nepal’s national interest.

Many countries where monarchy was displaced have now ceased to exist and several other have fallen into anarchy and civil war. It will be totally inappropriate without knowing fully the ground realities. It was not for whether to keep monarchy or not. The Nepalese constituent assembly is just a representative organization to formulate a new constitution and it does not have any right to displace monarchy. Can the future of the country be decided just because so called big political parties ganged up together? Those powerful nations, who in the past shed blood in Vietnam, North and South Korea, East and West Germany, Cambodia, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia, are now trying to drag Nepal into a civil war. So, if the political leaders, including the Maoists, tried to trample on this truth, one should know that the existence of Nepal [is threatened?].

And as if to confirm it, the article appears here at Revolution in Asia blog.