Church Torched In MP Village, Case Registered Against Unidentified Goons
A group of unidentified people torched and defiled a church in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district, confirmed police on February 13. Sources said, locals found burnt furniture inside, walls blackened with smoke from the fire, and 'Ram' written on the wall inside the Christian prayer hall in Chauki Pura. The incident trigger outrage amongst the Christian community. Furthermore, a case was filed under Section 29 of the IPC.
Tags: Madhya Pradesh, church, Hindu Communal, IPC section, Tribal Areas
Courtesy: NDTV
BJP Is Responsible For Most Religious Conversions: CM Baghel
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on September 11 commented over the previous BJP government saying under its regime many ''religious conversions'' took place and ''the highest number of churches were constructed." ''We'll definitely take action If we receive a complaint of forced religious conversion,'' CM added. Notably, his remark came after a Hindu mob forcibly entered a church alleging more than 35 Hindus are being converted… read-more
Tags: CM Bhupesh Baghel, Religious conversion, BJP, church
Courtesy: Times Now
Belgium To Keep World's Most Stolen Artwork In Its Custody
Belgium will keep the world's most stolen artwork called 'Ghent Altarpiece' in its safe custody at St Bavo Cathedral in Ghent-Belgium. Valued at $30 million, the 588-year-old art piece will be placed at 6-metre high bulletproof display inside the cathedral's largest chapel 'Sacrament chapel'. Interestingly, the masterpiece was stolen and destroyed on multiple occasions by Napoleons and Calvinists. It was in possession of Adolf Hitler as well… read-more
Tags: Belgium, Ghent, church, Ghent Altarpiece
Courtesy: WION
Pope Alters Canon Law To Allow Laywomen Perform Religious Rituals
Pope Francis has altered age-old canon laws to officially allow laywomen to become altar servers and readers during public worships. Citing the move as ‘need of the time’ in his letter, Pope has clarified that the amendment would curb the Bishop’s power to prevent women in performing rituals. Meanwhile, the Pope’s decision came in light with the 2016-created second commission which provisioned possibility of women appointed as deacons.
Tags: POPE FRANCIS, church, Vatican, Bishop
Courtesy: The Guardian
Kerala Church Face Strong Criticism Over Defending The Rape Accused Bishop
Kerala's Syro Malabar Church has defended the criticism drawn towards the rape-accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal, whose photograph has been printed in the 2021 calendar. Re-instating his Bishop post, the Church said that the rape charges against him are not proved yet. According to the reports, Mulakkal who headed the Jalandhar diocese of Church, is facing trial for allegedly raping a nun during 2014-16 in Kottayam (Kerala.)
Tags: Bishop, Kerala, church, Rape-Accused, Franco Mulakkal, Jalandhar, Kottayam
Courtesy: The Indian Express
128-year-old New York Church Catches Fire, Suffers Severe Damage
A major fire broke out at a 128-year-old Protestant church in New York on December 5, causing a severe damage to the structure. It also inflicted minor injuries to four firefighters. The church is famous for keeping the New York Liberty Bell, which was rung to celebrate the US Independence Declaration in 1776. Earlier, it has also supported LGBTQ rights, the Black Lives Matter and climate change movements. Reportedly, officials have initiated… read-more
Tags: church, accident, Fire, LGBTQ
Courtesy: BBC News
Serbian Orthodox Church Leader Patriarch Irinej Dies Of COVID-19
Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Irinej, succumbed to the COVID-19 on November 20. The 90-year-old was admitted at a military hospital since November 4. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said, “I was honoured to know you. People like you never depart.” Notably, on November 1, Irinej went against the COVID precautionary measures, where he led a funeral rally of the Church's senior cleric with thousands of participants.
Tags: Serbia, Covid-19, Patriarch Irinej, church
Courtesy: BBC News
Pope Francis Bats For Civil Unions Of LGBTQ+ Community
In the documentary, 'Francesco', which premiered on October 21, Pope Francis endorsed civil unions for LGBTQ+ community. He said, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered." The documentary's director Evgeny Afineevsky stated that the Pope made those statements directly to him for the film. Earlier, though the Church stated that they "respected homosexuals", they opposed the idea of their civil unions.… read-more
Tags: POPE FRANCIS, LGBTQ, Civil Union, Same Sex Marriage, church
Courtesy: The Newyork Times
Report Says Church Of England's Laxity Results In Sexual Abuse Of Children
A report by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse claimed the Church of England has failed to protect children from sexual abuse by churchmen. It also mentioned the churchmen were appointed to clergy posts, despite having an abusive history. Reportedly, 390 churchmen were convicted of the crime from 1940 till 2018. Acknowledging its lax behaviour, the Church promised to show its commitment and introduced a compensation scheme for… read-more
Tags: church, England, child rape, Child Harassment, sexual abuse, Hathras
Courtesy: Hindustan Times
Vatican to Resume In-Person Masses Soon If Anti-COVID Measures Permit
In a letter to bishops conferences, Vatican Liturgy Office head Cardinal Robert Sarah has stressed for resumption of in-person Masses as soon as anti-COVID measures permit. He stated that "physical presence by the faithful in churches was vital, indispensable, irreplaceable.” The Vatican also opined that government authorities cannot interfere in liturgical practices as the Pope Francis has given approval to the content of the letter.
Tags: Covid-19, Vatican, POPE FRANCIS, church
Courtesy: Press Trust of India