News for 'Catholic Church'

Why the rich give gold to temples

Why the rich give gold to temples

Rediff.com31 May 2016

'Rich Indians don't give cash, they give gold. Why?' 'Because cash is spent by temples on prasad or doing some charitable work.' 'Gold remains intact with god,' says Aakar Patel.

Stage set for Mother Teresa's canonisation on Sunday

Stage set for Mother Teresa's canonisation on Sunday

Rediff.com3 Sep 2016

Mother Teresa will be declared a saint by Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church in a canonisation ceremony in Vatican City on Sunday in the presence of over a lakh of her followers from all over the world.

Christmas Recipe: Audrey Crasto's Guava Cheese, Rose Cookies

Christmas Recipe: Audrey Crasto's Guava Cheese, Rose Cookies

Rediff.com21 Dec 2023

Audrey Crasto's Guava Cheese and Rose Cookies make Christmas a treat!

Rape case: Jalandhar diocese assures nuns that they will not be transferred

Rape case: Jalandhar diocese assures nuns that they will not be transferred

Rediff.com9 Feb 2019

Bishop Mulakkal, a senior member of the Roman Catholic clergy in India, was arrested last year following allegations by the nun that he repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted her at the Kuravilangad convent between 2014 and 2016, a charge denied by him.

Darwin vs Satyapal: Who's right?

Darwin vs Satyapal: Who's right?

Rediff.com10 Feb 2018

'What would be questioned next?' 'Will the Copernicus theory of the sun being the centre of the universe, or Newton's theory of gravity?' asks Veena Mani.

PIX: TV actress Krystle D'Souza's Turkey vacay

PIX: TV actress Krystle D'Souza's Turkey vacay

Rediff.com1 Jul 2019

Let's take a tour of Turkey through Krystle's eyes.

Malaysian court rules non-Muslims cannot use 'Allah'

Malaysian court rules non-Muslims cannot use 'Allah'

Rediff.com14 Oct 2013

In a landmark judgement, a Malaysian court on Monday ruled that non-Muslims cannot use the word "Allah" to refer to God and prohibited a Christian newspaper from using it in the Muslim-majority nation.

Case against congregation for showing photo of nun attending function with bishop

Case against congregation for showing photo of nun attending function with bishop

Rediff.com14 Sep 2018

In a press release, the congregation accused the victim, her five fellow nuns and four others of conspiring against the bishop.

'God is with me,' says Pacquiao after criticizing homosexuals

'God is with me,' says Pacquiao after criticizing homosexuals

Rediff.com19 Feb 2016

Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao has insisted that God is on his side after sparking global controversy by describing gay couples as 'worse than animals'. The eight-division world champion admitted that he was wrong to compare homosexuals to animals, but added that his opinion was based on the Bible and therefore the word of God should be honoured, Sport24 reported. Earlier, Pacquiao saw his reputation take a severe hit when he said that animals are better than homosexuals because they could distinguish between male and female. Although Pacquiao issued an apology on social media for his insensitive remarks, Sports brandNike decided to sever its eight-year-old tie with the boxer saying his comments were 'abhorrent'. Gay marriage is illegal in the Philippines due to strong resistance from the Catholic Church, with 80 per cent of the country's total population subscribing to the faith. His comments sparked outrage on social media as various celebrities slammed the boxer for his insensitive remark. Philippines' most popular gay comedian Vice Ganda slammed Pacquiao on Twitter by posting #PrayForMannyPacquiao to his 6.7 million followers.

Photos: How the world is reacting to coronavirus

Photos: How the world is reacting to coronavirus

Rediff.com1 Apr 2020

As the world struggles with the deadly coronavirus, there are some who are dealing with the pandemic in their own unique way. Here are 12 images that show how.

Left hartal over W Ghats report hits normal life in Kerala

Left hartal over W Ghats report hits normal life in Kerala

Rediff.com18 Nov 2013

Normal life was affected across Kerala by the dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the Left Democratic Front on Monday to protest the Centre's move to implement key recommendations of the Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats conservation.

Nehru wasn't keen about struggle against Communist ministry in Kerala

Nehru wasn't keen about struggle against Communist ministry in Kerala

Rediff.com18 Nov 2014

India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru appeared to have reservations about the Congress support to the 'liberation struggle' against Kerala's first Communist ministry led by E M S Namboodiripad, which was dismissed in 1959 within two years of coming to power.

Why Pope Francis is the coolest Pope ever

Why Pope Francis is the coolest Pope ever

Rediff.com2 Sep 2015

Let's take a look at why:

Bishop Franco Mulakkal granted bail by trial court

Bishop Franco Mulakkal granted bail by trial court

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

Granting bail, the court directed him not to leave the state till the chargesheet is read out to him on August 13 and to be present court on the dates of hearing of the case.

Easter bombings in SL: 3 suspects arrested, van seized

Easter bombings in SL: 3 suspects arrested, van seized

Rediff.com30 Apr 2019

The suspicious van was wanted over the terror attacks and was taken into custody at Sungavila.

Sri Lanka bomb blasts: Vaas, Herath call for unity

Sri Lanka bomb blasts: Vaas, Herath call for unity

Rediff.com23 Apr 2019

Sri Lankan cricketer Dasun Shanaka revisited the Easter Sunday horror, the serial blasts that took place in the country on Sunday, leaving almost 300 people dead and more than 500 injured.

India's coronavirus tally: 724 cases, 17 deaths, 66 cured

India's coronavirus tally: 724 cases, 17 deaths, 66 cured

Rediff.com27 Mar 2020

Concern is growing among healthcare experts who believe that if people do not follow the lockdown or social distancing seriously, the situation can quickly go out of control.

Pope confers sainthood on father and nun from Kerala

Pope confers sainthood on father and nun from Kerala

Rediff.com23 Nov 2014

Pope Francis on Sunday declared Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara and Sister Euphrasia Eluventhinkal from India as saints at Vatican.

'Stress on Vedic culture in new education policy is not right'

'Stress on Vedic culture in new education policy is not right'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2016

Secretary general of CBCI Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas on what he doesn't like about the new education policy.

Protesting nuns allege Mulakkal interfering in diocese functioning

Protesting nuns allege Mulakkal interfering in diocese functioning

Rediff.com10 Feb 2019

Nuns doubt Bishop Franco still wields power in the diocese.

Allow us to live in convent: Kerala nuns seek Vijayan's help against transfer

Allow us to live in convent: Kerala nuns seek Vijayan's help against transfer

Rediff.com19 Jan 2019

The nuns -- Alphy, Anupama, Josephine and Ancitta -- were served notice by the superior general of the congregation, Regina Kadamthottu, urging them to take up their assigned responsibilities as befitting members of the Missionaries of Jesus congregation.

Nun rape case verdict shocks supporters, bishop says praise the Lord

Nun rape case verdict shocks supporters, bishop says praise the Lord

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

A group of nuns of Kuravilangad convent in Kottayam district of Kerala, who have been standing with the survivor in her fight, were on the verge of tears when they said they were yet to believe such a verdict came out from the court and they did not know what has happened.

Lanka needs new laws to deal with IS threat: PM

Lanka needs new laws to deal with IS threat: PM

Rediff.com26 Apr 2019

The PM said the government knew that Sri Lankan nationals who joined the Islamic State had returned, but they could not be arrested as joining a foreign terrorist organisation is not against the law in the island nation.

'Hrithik has insulted and humiliated the Pope'

'Hrithik has insulted and humiliated the Pope'

Rediff.com30 Mar 2016

'He had 6 billion names to choose from and he chose the Pope who is the religious head of the Catholic community in the whole world.'

Mother Teresa made a Saint, canonisation to take place in 2016

Mother Teresa made a Saint, canonisation to take place in 2016

Rediff.com18 Dec 2015

Mother Teresa is expected to be officially canonised in Rome on 4 September as part the pope's Jubilee year of mercy.

Congress gets happy tidings from Kerala, with resounding win in Thrikkakara bypoll

Congress gets happy tidings from Kerala, with resounding win in Thrikkakara bypoll

Rediff.com3 Jun 2022

A little over a year after it retained power in Kerala with a massive victory, the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front suffered a huge setback on Friday in a bypoll held to Thrikkakara assembly constituency, with Congress candidate Uma Thomas winning with a historic margin of 25,016 votes, giving a boost to the morale of the party-led United Democratic Front in the southern state.

Pope Francis, Snowden, Malala tipped for Nobel Peace prize

Pope Francis, Snowden, Malala tipped for Nobel Peace prize

Rediff.com4 Oct 2014

Despite a year seemingly filled with gloom and near constant reminders of humanity's failings, the Nobel Peace prize will reward a person, or organisation, who's worked tirelessly for peace despite the world's many hurdles.

A Christian's anguish: Why remind us of our minority status?

A Christian's anguish: Why remind us of our minority status?

Rediff.com15 Jan 2015

While churches burn in the capital and lawmakers spew rubbish, Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not think it important to utter a word against these atrocities.

Indian priest arrested in US for possessing child pornography

Indian priest arrested in US for possessing child pornography

Rediff.com8 Jan 2015

A 47-year-old Indian priest has been arrested in the United States state of Florida on charges of possessing child pornography, with authorities saying he asked a 14-year old boy to help him delete about 40 pornographic images of young boys from his phone.

Spanish priest, 90, becomes Indian citizen; says 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'

Spanish priest, 90, becomes Indian citizen; says 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2016

Sopena came to India in 1947 as a 22-year-old on a mission to serve mankind through the Society of Jesus, a male religious congregation of the Catholic Church founded by Spanish spearhead of counter-reformation, Ignatius Loyola in 1541.

Cyclone Ockhi: Search ops for missing fishermen on as 67 return to Kochi

Cyclone Ockhi: Search ops for missing fishermen on as 67 return to Kochi

Rediff.com10 Dec 2017

Out of 67 fishermen, 49 are from Tamil Nadu, 13 from Kerala, four from Assam and one from Andhra Pradesh, they said.

Do you need commandos with AK 47s to control a church protest?

Do you need commandos with AK 47s to control a church protest?

Rediff.com12 Feb 2015

Active citizenship through peaceful protest is a powerful tool, says Merril Diniz, who was part of a peaceful march that was struck down by police and CRPF personnel, while protesting against church attacks in Delhi.

Leo Varadkar, The PM Who Likes Jalebis

Leo Varadkar, The PM Who Likes Jalebis

Rediff.com5 Apr 2024

'When my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed that his son would one day grow up to become its leader.' Vaihayasi Pande Daniel/Rediff.com profiles Dr Leo Varadkar who will step down as Ireland's taoiseach (prime minister) next week.

Pope becomes the newest entry on ISIS's enemy list

Pope becomes the newest entry on ISIS's enemy list

Rediff.com17 Sep 2014

In a chilling new development, Habeeb Al Sadr, Iraq's ambassador to the Vatican, warned that Pope Francis could be on IS' list of targets, ahead of his visit to Albania this weekend and Turkey in November.

'History is littered with religious conflict'

'History is littered with religious conflict'

Rediff.com9 Feb 2024

'The othering of religious groups inevitably leads to violence.' 'It is sadly a narrative that has echoed through the centuries since man first discovered God.'

Lanka lifts night curfew; attacks insult to humanity, says cardinal

Lanka lifts night curfew; attacks insult to humanity, says cardinal

Rediff.com28 Apr 2019

'What happened last Sunday is a great tragedy, an insult to humanity'

5 things to know about Lent

5 things to know about Lent

Rediff.com7 Mar 2019

A season of prayer and penance in the Christian church, and a period of preparation for the Easter season, here is all that you need to know about Lent.

Countries where Islamic State is still a major threat

Countries where Islamic State is still a major threat

Rediff.com26 Apr 2019

Driven from its self-styled caliphate in Iraq and Syria, Islamic State is down but not out. Where once they confronted armies, the extremist Islamist group's adherents have now staged hit-and-run raids and suicide attacks. In some cases, the group has claimed responsibility for atrocities, including the bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed at least 253 people. Its involvement is not always proven, but even if the link is ideological rather than operational, Islamic State still poses a security threat in many countries.

Islamic State claims Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka

Islamic State claims Easter Sunday blasts in Sri Lanka

Rediff.com23 Apr 2019

Forty suspects, including the driver of a van allegedly used by the suicide bombers, have been arrested in connection with the attacks which shook Sri Lanka.

Duterte wins Philippine presidential election

Duterte wins Philippine presidential election

Rediff.com10 May 2016

Duterte, the longtime mayor of the southern city of Davao, hypnotised millions with his vows of brutal but quick solutions to the nation's twin plagues of crime and poverty.