News for 'Catholic Bishops'

Love and narcotic jihad exists in Kerala: Catholic Bishop

Love and narcotic jihad exists in Kerala: Catholic Bishop

Rediff.com9 Sep 2021

Cautioning against the presence of Jihadis, who try to cultivate communalism, religious disharmony, intolerance and contempt across the world, in Kerala also, the Bishop said they were using different means to destroy other religions.

Modi attends Christmas morning service at Delhi Church

Modi attends Christmas morning service at Delhi Church

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in Delhi, joining a large congregation. The service included prayers, carols, and a special prayer for the Prime Minister. The Vice President also extended Christmas greetings.

Mr Modi Goes To Church!

Mr Modi Goes To Church!

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

On Christmas Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Christmas morning service at the Cathedral Church of the Redemption in New Delhi along with a large congregation of Christians from Delhi and north India.

Catholic body moves HC against content of Malayalam movie Haal

Catholic body moves HC against content of Malayalam movie Haal

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The Catholic Congress has raised concerns about the Malayalam movie 'Haal,' alleging objectionable content and potential religious disharmony. The matter is now before the Kerala High Court.

Catholic body moves HC against content of Malayalam film Haal

Catholic body moves HC against content of Malayalam film Haal

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The Catholic Congress has raised concerns in the Kerala High Court about the Malayalam movie 'Haal', alleging objectionable content that could cause religious disharmony. The court is set to decide on the producer's request to view the film.

A First For Any PM! Modi At Christmas

A First For Any PM! Modi At Christmas

Rediff.com23 Dec 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history by attending Christmas celebrations organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India in New Delhi on Monday, December 23, 2024.

Sister Anupama, face of protests against Bishop Mulakkal, quits nunhood

Sister Anupama, face of protests against Bishop Mulakkal, quits nunhood

Rediff.com27 May 2025

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.

'Fringe Elements Must Be Brought Under Control'

'Fringe Elements Must Be Brought Under Control'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

'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.'

Kerala Catholic body backs Bishop over 'narcotic jihad' remark

Kerala Catholic body backs Bishop over 'narcotic jihad' remark

Rediff.com12 Sep 2021

The KCBC, in a statement, said that even the United Nations reports have made it clear that money earned from drug trafficking is being used for terrorist activities.

Decked churches, midnight masses: India celebrates Christmas

Decked churches, midnight masses: India celebrates Christmas

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Christmas was celebrated with devotion and festive gaiety across India, with churches decked in lights, midnight masses, and community events spreading cheer. Leaders extended greetings, and celebrations took place in various states with prayers for peace and harmony.

'Christians Can Be Taken For Granted'

'Christians Can Be Taken For Granted'

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

'Mob fury has become very common these days. And these attacks are all planned very well.' 'In all these attacks, you see that they have a very clear cut plan to make the victims as the oppressors and the guilty.' 'The attackers escape and they face no consequences as they have the backing of some political leaders.'

'Ball Is In BJP's Court'

'Ball Is In BJP's Court'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

'They have to prove the credibility of their talk; whether they want to focus on the secular face of India, whether they want to focus on democracy and above all freedom of an individual to practice his or her religion.'

Savita's case was not about abortion: Ireland's bishops

Savita's case was not about abortion: Ireland's bishops

Rediff.com20 Nov 2012

Amid a raging debate on the country's strict abortion laws, Ireland's Catholic bishops have said that the church 'has never taught that the life of a child in the womb should be preferred to that of a mother'.

'400 girls lost to love jihad': Kerala BJP leader sparks row

'400 girls lost to love jihad': Kerala BJP leader sparks row

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

George stated that a girl should be married off by the time she is 22 or 23 and that such decency should be maintained.

Safety of our daughters: Chh'garh CM defends nuns' arrest amid political row

Safety of our daughters: Chh'garh CM defends nuns' arrest amid political row

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

The arrest of two Catholic nuns from Kerala in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion has ignited a political controversy, with opposition parties criticizing the arrest and the Chief Minister defending the police action.

Nuns' arrest misunderstanding, bail soon: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Nuns' arrest misunderstanding, bail soon: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated that the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh was due to a 'misunderstanding' and that they will be released on bail soon. He met with Archbishop of Trichur Andrews Thazhath to brief him that the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister have assured the nuns would be released on bail.

Pope's bond with India: Canonisations, new Cardinal and unfulfilled visit

Pope's bond with India: Canonisations, new Cardinal and unfulfilled visit

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Pope Francis's connection with India was marked by a mix of hopes and challenges. His long-held wish to visit the country remained unfulfilled, but he made significant contributions to the Catholic community in India, including elevating Indian figures to sainthood and appointing an Indian priest as a Cardinal. While his efforts to resolve conflicts within the Syro-Malabar Church were unsuccessful, his legacy will be remembered for his efforts to promote unity and understanding in the Catholic Church.

BJP vs BJP over Kerala nuns' arrest in Chhattisgarh

BJP vs BJP over Kerala nuns' arrest in Chhattisgarh

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

The Kerala BJP has contradicted the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister's justification of the arrest of two Keralite Catholic nuns, stating they were not involved in human trafficking or forced conversion attempts and promising to help them.

Cops book 'narcotic jihad' Kerala bishop

Cops book 'narcotic jihad' Kerala bishop

Rediff.com2 Nov 2021

The Kerala Police on Monday registered a case against Catholic Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt on the basis of a complaint that the priest through his "love and narcotic jihad" remarks, committed the offence of promoting feelings of hatred between different groups on the grounds of religion.

Rape accused bishop arrives in Jalandhar, supporters shower rose petals on him

Rape accused bishop arrives in Jalandhar, supporters shower rose petals on him

Rediff.com17 Oct 2018

Roman Catholic bishop Franco Mulakkal was arrested on September 21 after being accused of repeatedly raping and sexually abusing a nun between 2014 and 2016.

2 Kerala nuns get bail in trafficking-conversion case

2 Kerala nuns get bail in trafficking-conversion case

Rediff.com2 Aug 2025

A special court in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur district granted bail to three persons, including two nuns from Kerala, arrested on charges of human trafficking and forced religious conversion.

Four Indian cardinals eligible to vote for electing new pope

Four Indian cardinals eligible to vote for electing new pope

Rediff.com23 Apr 2025

Four cardinals from India, including two from Kerala, are eligible to vote in the upcoming conclave to elect the new Pope. Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote, as per the regulations. Anthony Poola, the Archbishop of Hyderabad; Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, the Archbishop of Goa and Daman; Cardinal Baselios Cleemis of the Syro-Malankara Church; and George Koovakkad, the newly appointed cardinal, are the four who can cast votes in the upcoming conclave.

Catholic body unhappy over decision to organise Yoga day on a Sun

Catholic body unhappy over decision to organise Yoga day on a Sun

Rediff.com11 Jun 2015

Catholic Bishops Conference of India, apex body of the Catholic priests in the country, on expressed displeasure over government's decision to organise Yoga day on June 21, saying Sundays are "sacred day" for Christians in the country.

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal acquitted

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop Franco Mulakkal acquitted

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

As the prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused, the Additional District and Sessions Court II acquitted the Bishop.

Kerala church daily bats in favour of Waqf amendment bill

Kerala church daily bats in favour of Waqf amendment bill

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

A leading Catholic Church daily in Kerala has described the Waqf amendment bill as a crucial test of secularism in Parliament, urging MPs to support it. The editorial in Deepika daily comes as the union government prepares to table the bill for parliamentary consideration. The editorial calls the bill a test of secularism and warns MPs that failing to support it would mark them in history as endorsing religious fundamentalism. The paper added that the bill will also put an end to the injustices faced by thousands of Hindu, Christian, and Muslim citizens who have suffered due to the Waqf law. The editorial also recalled the recent statement addressed to Kerala MPs by Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC) where the KCBC President Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis Catholicos urged amending provisions in the Waqf law that validate claims over land which people of Munambam have lawfully possessed. Opposition parties have slammed the bill as "unconstitutional" and against the interest of the Muslim community.

PHOTOS: Germany's 'bling bishop' and his $42 million mansion

PHOTOS: Germany's 'bling bishop' and his $42 million mansion

Rediff.com22 Oct 2013

A German Catholic bishop, under fire for his extravagant spending and for lying under oath about a first class flight he took to India last year, has appeared before Pope Francis in Rome, amid speculation whether he will be forced to resign for his big-spending lifestyle.

As protests enter 5th day, Kerala cops may summon rape-accused bishop

As protests enter 5th day, Kerala cops may summon rape-accused bishop

Rediff.com12 Sep 2018

Slamming the public outcry over the alleged delay in action against Jalandhar Bishop, Auxilary Bishop of Changanassery Archdiocese, Thomas Tharayil sought to know whether declaring a person guilty without an investigation and trial was also a new Kerala model.

Bishop Mulakkal temporarily divested of duties, to be grilled again

Bishop Mulakkal temporarily divested of duties, to be grilled again

Rediff.com20 Sep 2018

The Pope appointed Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Bombay Agnelo Rufino Gracias as the Apostolic administrator of the diocese of Jalandhar with immediate effect, a CBCI statement said.

Sexual assault: Kerala nun to go ahead with legal action against Bishop

Sexual assault: Kerala nun to go ahead with legal action against Bishop

Rediff.com30 Jun 2018

The nun alleged that she was subjected to sexual abuse 13 times.

Cong-BJP spar over Bishop's 'love and narcotic jihad' remark

Cong-BJP spar over Bishop's 'love and narcotic jihad' remark

Rediff.com12 Sep 2021

The verbal duel between the Congress and BJP over the controversial 'love and narcotic jihad' remark by Pala Bishop Joseph Kallarangatt, intensified on Sunday with the former saying it does not want the Sangh parivar to gain foothold here while the latter claimed that both CPI (M) and Congress were cornering the Bishop over the issue.

Nun seeks justice from Vatican; accused bishop rejects charges

Nun seeks justice from Vatican; accused bishop rejects charges

Rediff.com11 Sep 2018

She alleged that by continuing in the position of Jalandhar diocese Bishop, Franco Mulakkal and his close associates "are using the wealth of the diocese to divert" the course of the police investigation.

Bishop accused of raping Kerala nun steps down

Bishop accused of raping Kerala nun steps down

Rediff.com15 Sep 2018

The nun had accused the clergyman of sexually assaulting her repeatedly between 2014 and 2016.

Pope Leo makes his first US pitch at White Sox Park

Pope Leo makes his first US pitch at White Sox Park

Rediff.com15 Jun 2025

The pontiff, the first leader of the global Catholic Church from the United States, appeared for about seven minutes on Rate Field's jumbotron during the event, organized by the Chicago archdiocese and featuring several other local personalities, including Bulls announcer Chuck Swirsky.

Bishop Mulakkal remanded to 12-day judicial custody

Bishop Mulakkal remanded to 12-day judicial custody

Rediff.com24 Sep 2018

The clergyman has been shifted to the sub-jail in Pala after completing his medical examination at a government hospital.

Robert Prevost becomes first American Pope, takes name Leo XIV

Robert Prevost becomes first American Pope, takes name Leo XIV

Rediff.com9 May 2025

The voice of the six bells of St Peter's Basilca announced that the Church has its new Pope.

Nun rape: Kerala HC grants bail to Bishop Franco Mulakkal

Nun rape: Kerala HC grants bail to Bishop Franco Mulakkal

Rediff.com15 Oct 2018

The Bishop will have to surrender his passport and his entry to Kerala will be restricted.

Bishop Mulakkal taken for reconstruction of crime scene

Bishop Mulakkal taken for reconstruction of crime scene

Rediff.com23 Sep 2018

Police had said the nun was subjected to rape and unnatural sex by the accused at the guest house of St Francis Mission Home 13 times between 2014 and 2016.

Pope Francis: The Last Photographs

Pope Francis: The Last Photographs

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Pope Francis, who made a surprise appearance on Easter Sunday, riding through St Peter's Square in the popemobile and greeting crowds just weeks after a serious bout of pneumonia, passed away at 0735 Vatican time on Monday morning.

Pope Francis passes away hours after delivering Easter message

Pope Francis passes away hours after delivering Easter message

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Pope Francis has died, the Vatican said on Monday. The Pope passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, according to a statement from the Vatican.