The Church in India

The Central Indian Province of the Society of the Divine Word released the 2027 Hindi Bible Diary on Oct. 30.

The release took place at Snehalaya during the concluding Eucharist of the annual retreat for Divine Word missionaries. Father Cletus D’Souza preached the retreat.

Representatives of religious minority communities, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates have called on the Karnataka government to repeal the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022.

The leaders stated that the government should fulfill its constitutional obligations and previous promises by removing the law.

St. Anne’s Parish in Ponda established the Muttbhor Tandul initiative as part of the 8th Centenary Celebration of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi. The program, which translates to Handful of Rice, asks families to contribute rice according to their means to provide food for others in the community.

The initiative was developed in collaboration with the late Dr. Fr. Bolmax Pereira. Fr. Bolmax blessed the program on April 28, 2026, at the Fr. Agnelo SCC in Sapna Park, alongside Fr. Francis Rozario and Fr. Hemant. The project seeks to foster a culture of sharing and fraternity among parishioners by recognizing the needs of the hungry.

The St. Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre in Old Goa will host a two-day residential youth retreat titled Arise and Shine on 7th and 8th November 2026. The event is scheduled to run from 4.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.

The retreat at Cruz Dos Milagres offers young people time for worship, prayer, reflection, and silence. The registration fee is ₹900. Participants may register at https://forms.gle/x9g4NhBZhXgmBPek9 or via WhatsApp at 99216 09895.

The Diocesan Youth Centre in Goa organized the Nature A-Live program from October 10 to 11 in Loutolim, Goa. The event brought 43 young people from various parishes together to study the conservation of Goan lands.

Father Anthony Carvalho, the chaplain of Our Lady of Fatima Chapel in Bhironda and convenor of the Diocesan Commission for Ecology, taught participants how to work with local communities to use land resources responsibly. Environmentalist Mr. Dave and youth activist Mr. Shohail Furtado discussed Section 39A in Goa and the necessity of land conservation. Additionally, Mr. Tejas led a session on identifying snakes, addressing common myths, and providing first aid for snakebites.

Participants engaged in group activities and a cooking session at a local farm owned by Mr. Caitan. During an evening campfire, the youth gave presentations on topics including mangroves, Khazan lands, water resources, forest conservation, and kitchen gardening.

The Don Bosco Youth Welfare Centre in Parra is offering functional English classes to help individuals improve their communication skills for daily use. Located at Naika Vaddo, Verla, the program focuses on spoken English, grammar, and practical vocabulary to build student confidence.

Interested individuals can contact 99214 61597 or 70382 96785 to learn about the course dates, schedule, and timings.

The Arunachal Christian Forum has asked Chief Minister Pema Khandu to start peaceful talks regarding the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in the Siang region.

In a letter dated October 25, Forum President James Techi Tara expressed concern about current tensions surrounding the environmental issue. The group offered to act as a mediator to facilitate dialogue.

Archbishop of Bangalore addressed participants of the LEAD Academy 2026 following the conclusion of its formation program on October 27. The program ended at St. John’s Medical College in Bengaluru.

The academy aims to train leaders for the Church and society. To date, the initiative has formed more than 100 leaders.

An article published by Matters India discusses the relationship between eco-spirituality and the synodal Church.

The text suggests that eco-spirituality requires the practice of great awareness and great compassion. These virtues are described as central to nearly all religious traditions and serve to make life meaningful by challenging individuals to share in the suffering of others.

NISCORT Media College held a transition program on October 24, 2026, to welcome Father Martin Sadiq as the new director and bid farewell to the outgoing director, Father Robinson Rodrigues.

The event in New Delhi included students and faculty to mark the change in leadership for the institution.

Investigative journalist Mathew Samuel received the first Pandita Ramabai Award during a ceremony in Dallas, Texas, on October 25, 2026.

The Christian Fellowship for India (CFI) instituted the national level award. The presentation took place during a conference held to address growing concerns.

Participants at the Synodal Church and Secular Society discernment meet in Kochi, Kerala, proposed a vision based on presentations and deliberations held during the event. The Indian Catholic Forum previously provided a summary of the papers presented by speakers at the meeting.

The Green Cell of St. Vincent Pallotti Parish hosted the first Eco Mela for the Archdiocese of Bombay on Oct. 18, 2026. The event took place in the parish hall at Marol Maroshi and drew hundreds of environmental enthusiasts from across Mumbai.

Organizers held the fair to support the sustainability goals established in the region's Vision 2030.

Pope Leo XIV authorized a decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Bishop Orestes Marengo.

Marengo previously served as a principal at Salesian College in Sonada, Siliguri. The decree advances his cause for sainthood. Bishop Stephen Ferrando, another former principal of the college, is also on the path to sainthood.

Twenty-two Jesuit lawyers from 12 provinces in India met at the Indian Social Institute from Oct. 19 to Oct. 21. The participants attended a national conclave titled “Our Role in Nation Building.”

During the meeting, the lawyers discussed their legal apostolate and shared professional experiences. The group used the gathering to formulate plans for their work in the country.

A group of attackers allegedly assaulted a Christian family in West Arjunda village in the East Medinipur district of West Bengal on October 26.

The attack occurred around 6:30 p.m. and left one woman unconscious, according to Matters India. The family has alleged that the police response to the incident was delayed.

Velobet is an online gaming platform that offers slot machine games, live casino options, and sports betting. The platform is operated by a company registered in Malta.

Users can register through a website or mobile app by providing a name, email address, and password. The registration process requires players to verify they are at least 18 years old to comply with local laws and regulations. Once accounts are verified, players can access various features, including profile customization and balance management.

Pirate Spins, an online casino operated by Jumpman Gaming Limited, offers a variety of video slot games from providers such as NetEnt, Microgaming, and NextGen Gaming. The website uses a pirate-themed design featuring blue and orange colors.

To use the service, individuals must register an account by providing their name, email address, date of birth, and phone number. Users must confirm they are at least 18 years old and agree to the terms and conditions. Registered users can access a dashboard to manage their accounts and use a rewards club to redeem points for free spins. Those who make a first deposit within 48 hours of registration are eligible for a free spins bonus.

The Women’s Commission of the Diocese of Karwar elected new office bearers and distributed prizes to singing competition winners at KDDC Hall in Karwar on 26 October 2026. Approximately 140 women attended the program.

Bishop Duming Dias led the introductory prayer and delivered a presidential address. He described the structure of various diocesan commissions and encouraged members to participate in the diocesan pastoral plan through cooperation and unity. Regarding the elections, Bishop Dias stated that leaders should work sincerely for the people, maintain a clear vision, and foster unity.

The event included a symbolic watering of a sapling by officials. Bishop Dias, Rev. Fr. Stewart Fernandes, Secretary of the Commission for Social Communication, and Mrs. Jane Rodrigues were honored during the program. Other attendees included Rev. Fr. Steven D’Souza, Director of KDDC, Rev. Fr. Roshan Fernandes, and several religious sisters.

Bishop Duming Dias conducted a two-day pastoral visit to Infant Jesus Church in Agasebagil, Sirsi, on October 24 and 25, 2026. The visit included a prayer service and the blessing of the parish cemetery.

The bishop met with several parish groups and commissions, including the Catholic Women’s League, the MCA – Children’s Club, catechism teachers, the Father’s Association, ICYM, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, and the Parish Pastoral and Financial Committee. On Sunday, October 25, he also met with the Catholic Association, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, altar boys, and candidates preparing for sacraments.

He reviewed parish office records with the parish priest to address administrative responsibilities and parish welfare. The bishop also held a meeting with the committee managing a dispute regarding cemetery land.

Christian tradition from the second century onward identifies a correspondence between Eve and Mary. According to Daniel Cerqueira Afonso, the title New Eve refers to an inverted relationship between the woman in Eden and the Virgin of Nazareth. While Eve listened to the serpent, Mary is viewed as the counterpart in this theological comparison.

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church in Hosad established a new unit of the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) on 25 October 2026. The inauguration included 31 children and was led by Fr. Stewart Fernandes, Secretary of the Commission for Proclamation and Evangelization, and the parish priest, Fr. Pascal Rodrigues.

The ceremony began with a procession of children, animators, and priests, followed by the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. During the Mass, Fr. Fernandes spoke about the role of the MCA in helping children develop missionary awareness and participate in the mission of the Church. He stated that Christian love should be expressed through prayer, kindness, sharing, and service.

Following the homily, the children took the missionary oath. Fr. Fernandes and Fr. Rodrigues formally established the unit.

Maleesha Kharwa, who grew up in a makeshift shoreline hut at Bandstand in Bandra, Mumbai, has become an international fashion model.

Born in 2008, Kharwa lived with her father and brother in a settlement where municipal officials repeatedly demolished their housing.

Thousands of Catholic faithful gathered at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Parish in Sargodha, Pakistan, to celebrate the 60th annual Marian feast.

The event took place from October 16 to October 18, 2026. According to Matters India, the gathering focused on spiritual renewal, unity, and youth empowerment.

A senior Congress leader has requested federal Home Minister Amit Shah to order strict legal action following attacks on three Christian families in a village in West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district.

The leader's request follows allegations that the families were forced to undergo a public purification ritual during the attacks.