News for 'Kerala Catholic Bishop'

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.

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.

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

The BJP has defended its leader Shone George's criticism of a Malayalam newspaper, Deepika, alleging it was favouring the UDF ahead of Kerala's Assembly elections. The party claims it respects all religions and aims for equal treatment.

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

BJP Defends Shone George's Criticism of Kerala Media House

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

BJP state general secretary S Suresh defends party leader Shone George's criticism of a Malayalam daily, Deepika, alleging its misuse for political interests ahead of the Kerala Assembly polls. The BJP maintains it respects all religions and aims for equal justice, denying any communal stance.

Muraleedharan Criticises Blaming Communities for Voting Choices in Kerala

Muraleedharan Criticises Blaming Communities for Voting Choices in Kerala

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

Congress leader K Muraleedharan criticises blaming communities for voting choices in Kerala, responding to BJP leaders' remarks about the Catholic church. He also expresses confidence in the UDF's prospects in the upcoming election and criticises the Election Commission's arrangements.

Chennithala Accuses BJP of Trying to Intimidate Kerala Church Leaders

Chennithala Accuses BJP of Trying to Intimidate Kerala Church Leaders

Rediff.com11 Apr 2026

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has accused the BJP of attempting to intimidate bishops and church leaders in Kerala to gain their support, asserting that such tactics will not succeed in the state.

'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

'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 police summons bishop accused of raping nun to appear on Sept 19

Kerala police summons bishop accused of raping nun to appear on Sept 19

Rediff.com12 Sep 2018

The nun had recently sought urgent intervention of the Vatican for justice and demanded the bishop's removal as the head of the Jalandhar diocese.

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.

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.

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.

'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.'

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.

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.

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.

Martyrs not like apostles: Row breaks out over Kerala bishop's remark

Martyrs not like apostles: Row breaks out over Kerala bishop's remark

Rediff.com22 May 2023

The Thalassery archdiocese of the Catholic church has condemned the "misinterpretation" of its archbishop's statement on political martyrs and said the church has a history of respecting the martyrs.

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.

5 Indian Cardinals in Vatican conclave

5 Indian Cardinals in Vatican conclave

Rediff.com13 Feb 2013

Only 117 of the total of 206 Cardinals of the Universal Catholic Church will be eligible to vote in the conclave to elect the 266th successor of St Peter as they are below the age of 80 years, Deputy Secretary General and Spokesman of the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council Fr Stephen Alathara said.

Nun rape: Bishop may be summoned for questioning this week

Nun rape: Bishop may be summoned for questioning this week

Rediff.com11 Sep 2018

Police have initiated action against independent MLA P C George who had levelled derogatory charges against the victimised nun.

Is 'Love Jihad' terror's new mantra?

Is 'Love Jihad' terror's new mantra?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2009

Kerala and coastal Karnataka have been witnessing a strange kind of jihad, which has even drawn the attention of a high court. This jihad has been termed as 'Love Jihad.' At first, these were just random instances of conversion. However, now with the Kerala Catholic Bishop's Conference stepping in, it has become a full-fledged fight between two communities.

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.

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.

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.

Kerala bishops' body approaches PM as NCW seeks ban on confessions

Kerala bishops' body approaches PM as NCW seeks ban on confessions

Rediff.com27 Jul 2018

Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam, meanwhile, 'rejected outright' the NCW's recommendation

Nuns harassment incident: Shah assures action against culprits

Nuns harassment incident: Shah assures action against culprits

Rediff.com24 Mar 2021

Officials in Jhansi said the nuns were detained after local Bajrang Dal activists complained that two of the women were allegedly being taken forcibly for religious conversion.

Bishops want Malayalam play on nun banned for defaming Christianity

Bishops want Malayalam play on nun banned for defaming Christianity

Rediff.com2 May 2023

A day after the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) sought a ban on staging of the Malayalam play Kakkukali, its director Job Madathil on Tuesday accused the critics of having an agenda behind their charges and urged them to watch the drama first.

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.

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop files for bail

Kerala nun rape case: Bishop files for bail

Rediff.com18 Sep 2018

Claiming innocence, the bishop also said the complaint was "nothing but a fictional story" by the nun