UCA News https://www.ucanews.com/ UCA News South Asia Stories en-us support@ucanews.com Copyright 2024 Indian diocese denies discrimination against elderly couple https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-diocese-denies-discrimination-against-elderly-couple/104605 UCA104605 The couple was allegedly assaulted by a priest attached to Mangalore diocese during a pastoral visit Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:35:00 +0700 Indian nun granted bail in student suicide case https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-nun-granted-bail-in-student-suicide-case/104606 UCA104606 Carmelite Sister Mercy spent 51 days in jail in central Chhattisgarh state, may be released before Easter Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:27:00 +0700 Scrapping of Easter holiday upsets Indian Christians https://www.ucanews.com/news/scrapping-of-easter-holiday-upsets-indian-christians/104604 UCA104604 Govt move in strife-torn northeastern Manipur state seen as ‘rubbing salt in wounds’ of suffering community Thu, 28 Mar 2024 16:10:00 +0700 Senior Pakistan judges accuse spy agency of coercion https://www.ucanews.com/news/senior-pakistan-judges-accuse-spy-agency-of-coercion/104595 UCA104595 'Considerable pressure brought to bear by operatives of ISI' over case facing ex-PM Imran Khan, they alleged in letter Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:26:00 +0700 Intolerance, discrimination hold back young Pakistani Christians https://www.ucanews.com/news/intolerance-discrimination-hold-back-young-pakistani-christians/104589 UCA104589 The Church needs to ensure that they have proper support to find a rightful place in society and the state Thu, 28 Mar 2024 10:10:00 +0700 Sri Lanka beefs up security at churches ahead of Good Friday https://www.ucanews.com/news/sri-lanka-beefs-up-security-at-churches-ahead-of-good-friday/104592 UCA104592 Comprehensive plan involving police, army, and air force chalked out to enable Christians attend church services without fear Wed, 27 Mar 2024 18:01:00 +0700 Indian cathedral reopens after liturgy clash forced closure https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-cathedral-reopens-after-liturgy-clash-forced-closure/104588 UCA104588 However, it will not conduct Mass which is the bone of contention among rival groups in the eastern rite Syro-Malabar Church Wed, 27 Mar 2024 14:28:00 +0700 Tribal Christians won't contest polls in India’s Manipur https://www.ucanews.com/news/tribal-christians-wont-contest-polls-in-indias-manipur/104587 UCA104587 Boycott is in protest against ongoing violence that has claimed 219 lives in northeastern state Wed, 27 Mar 2024 12:56:00 +0700 5 Chinese workers killed in Pakistan suicide attack https://www.ucanews.com/news/5-chinese-workers-killed-in-pakistan-suicide-attack/104583 UCA104583 Their vehicle plunged into deep ravine off the mountainous Karakoram Highway after bomber rammed car into them, police said Wed, 27 Mar 2024 11:58:00 +0700 Indian Church head slams govt over rising elephant attacks https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-church-head-slams-govt-over-rising-elephant-attacks/104578 UCA104578 Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church speaks out after 14 people lose their lives so far this year in southern Kerala state Tue, 26 Mar 2024 18:39:00 +0700 Bangladesh's stifling of civic freedoms draws flak https://www.ucanews.com/news/bangladeshs-stifling-of-civic-freedoms-draws-flak/104575 UCA104575 Bangladesh accepted 211 out of 301 recommendations made by UN member states but refused to amend a repressive law Tue, 26 Mar 2024 14:18:00 +0700 Sri Lankans seek arrest of ex-prez over Easter bombing remarks https://www.ucanews.com/news/sri-lankans-seek-arrest-of-ex-prez-over-easter-bombing-remarks/104563 UCA104563 Maithripala Sirisena triggers controversy by claiming he knows the masterminds of the 2019 terror attack Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:23:00 +0700 Indian Christians told to vote to protect secular constitution https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-christians-told-to-vote-to-protect-secular-constitution/104560 UCA104560 Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil said this amid perception that the ruling party is pushing to make India a Hindu nation Mon, 25 Mar 2024 19:13:00 +0700 Indian Muslims on tenterhooks after court order on Islamic schools https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-muslims-on-tenterhooks-after-court-order-on-islamic-schools/104555 UCA104555 Order ‘banning’ madrasas will impact the minority community amid elections in the most populous Uttar Pradesh state Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:55:00 +0700 Increase in violence against Indian Christians: report https://www.ucanews.com/news/increase-in-violence-against-indian-christians-report/104557 UCA104557 Evangelical Fellowship of India records a rise in Christian persecution in 2023 compared with the previous year Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:25:00 +0700 Indian bishop calls out fake news about ‘reconversions’ https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishop-calls-out-fake-news-about-reconversions/104539 UCA104539 Some 150 indigenous Christians were reported to have returned to their ancestral faith in northeastern Assam state Fri, 22 Mar 2024 18:25:00 +0700 Activists blame Pakistan officialdom for minority panel failings https://www.ucanews.com/news/activists-blame-pakistan-officialdom-for-minority-panel-failings/104532 UCA104532 No govt has shown genuine interest in setting up a fully-fledged commission, despite a court order to do so Fri, 22 Mar 2024 18:19:00 +0700 Amnesty call to tackle air pollution in South Asia https://www.ucanews.com/news/amnesty-call-to-tackle-air-pollution-in-south-asia/104534 UCA104534 Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India occupied the top three spots for having the worst air quality among 134 nations Fri, 22 Mar 2024 18:12:00 +0700 Modi rival Kejriwal arrested ahead of Indian polls https://www.ucanews.com/news/modi-rival-kejriwal-arrested-ahead-of-indian-polls/104527 UCA104527 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's government has been accused of corruption in allocation of private liquor licenses Fri, 22 Mar 2024 11:58:00 +0700 Christian persecution on the rise in India, says report https://www.ucanews.com/news/christian-persecution-on-the-rise-in-india-says-report/104523 UCA104523 At least 122 Christians were detained or arrested on false allegations of religious conversion till March 15 this year Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:05:00 +0700 India’s ‘Act East’ policy compels it to look at Manipur https://www.ucanews.com/news/indias-act-east-policy-compels-it-to-look-at-manipur/104520 UCA104520 Continuing violence in the northeastern state was one of multiple questions raised by the diaspora in Seoul Thu, 21 Mar 2024 18:57:00 +0700 2 Pakistani women get death sentence for 'blasphemy' murder https://www.ucanews.com/news/2-pakistani-women-get-death-sentence-for-blasphemy-murder/104514 UCA104514 Women aged 23 and 24 sentenced to death while a minor jailed for life for the 2022 killing of a female cleric Thu, 21 Mar 2024 11:37:00 +0700 Indian state's relaxed rules helps Christian schools https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-states-relaxed-rules-helps-christian-schools/104510 UCA104510 Easing the students' quota to be filled for retaining minority status welcomed by Christians in southern Karnataka state Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:00:00 +0700 Land sharks eye old church in Indian PM Modi’s constituency https://www.ucanews.com/news/land-sharks-eye-old-church-in-indian-pm-modis-constituency/104505 UCA104505 St. Paul Church, in the center of Varanasi in northern Uttar Pradesh state, is estimated to be worth billions of Indian rupees Wed, 20 Mar 2024 18:23:00 +0700 Indian Church debunks 'reconversion' of tribal Christians https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-church-debunks-reconversion-of-tribal-christians/104504 UCA104504 More such claims will be made ahead of general election, says Bishop Paul Toppo of Raigarh in central Chhattisgarh state Wed, 20 Mar 2024 18:19:00 +0700 Pakistan to launch fresh Afghan deportations https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistan-to-launch-fresh-afghan-deportations/104496 UCA104496 Senior police official in the provincial capital Peshawar says operation targeting 'illegal Afghans' would start after Eid Wed, 20 Mar 2024 11:37:00 +0700 Beating cancer helps Sri Lankan Buddhist woman find faith https://www.ucanews.com/news/beating-cancer-helps-sri-lankan-buddhist-woman-find-faith/104489 UCA104489 After two years of pain and failed treatments, Ruwani Mudalige said she had 'a dream of Christ' in 2019 Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:16:00 +0700 Tribal body in India's Manipur condemns attack on office https://www.ucanews.com/news/tribal-body-in-indias-manipur-condemns-attack-on-office/104493 UCA104493 Miscreants destroyed office of the Indigenous Tribal Leader’s Forum, tried to kill its spokesperson on March 17 Tue, 19 Mar 2024 19:07:00 +0700 Indian bishops know prayer is futile without action https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishops-know-prayer-is-futile-without-action/104492 UCA104492 They have asked Catholics to pray because as prelates they need to do something before a national election Tue, 19 Mar 2024 19:02:00 +0700 Court saves Indian students from arrest under sweeping law https://www.ucanews.com/news/court-saves-indian-students-from-arrest-under-sweeping-law/104488 UCA104488 They are among several people in Uttar Pradesh, including a Catholic priest, facing conversion charges Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:25:00 +0700 Death of Pakistani Christian sanitary workers deplored https://www.ucanews.com/news/death-of-pakistani-christian-sanitary-workers-deplored/104479 UCA104479 Many sanitary workers die, many become disabled due to accidents caused by lack of safety gear, says rights group Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:42:00 +0700 It’s officially election season in the world’s largest democracy https://www.ucanews.com/news/its-officially-election-season-in-the-worlds-largest-democracy/104476 UCA104476 PM Modi appears unstoppable, claims he will not stop until 2047, the year India celebrates 100 years of its independence Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:11:00 +0700 Indian Catholics to pray, fast ahead of national polls https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-catholics-to-pray-fast-ahead-of-national-polls/104477 UCA104477 The first phase of the polls to India’s 543-member lower house will take place on April 19 and the last phase on June 1 Mon, 18 Mar 2024 18:08:00 +0700 Sri Lankan ex-prez accuses Church of having role in his ouster https://www.ucanews.com/news/sri-lankan-ex-prez-accuses-church-of-having-role-in-his-ouster/104471 UCA104471 Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s memoir claims regular dinner invitations from Cardinal Ranjith until the 2019 Easter Sunday attack Mon, 18 Mar 2024 11:38:00 +0700 Proposal for blasphemy law raises eyebrows in Bangladesh https://www.ucanews.com/news/proposal-for-blasphemy-law-raises-eyebrows-in-bangladesh/104464 UCA104464 Hardline Islamic groups and political parties have been demanding a blasphemy law for years Sat, 16 Mar 2024 11:15:00 +0700 Pakistani diocese winds up sainthood inquiry on martyred youth https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistani-diocese-winds-up-sainthood-inquiry-on-martyred-youth/104460 UCA104460 Akash Bashir died in 2015 while preventing a suicide bomber from attacking a packed church in Lahore Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:50:00 +0700 Thousands gather for prayer amid hostility in India’s Assam state https://www.ucanews.com/news/thousands-gather-for-prayer-amid-hostility-in-indias-assam-state/104461 UCA104461 Tens of thousands belonging to various denominations, ethnic and linguistic groups gathered to seek peace and harmony Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:30:00 +0700 Indian Christian couple jailed for trying to convert kin https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-christian-couple-jailed-for-trying-to-convert-kin/104463 UCA104463 Ramesh and Sakhi Masih were accused by close relative of offering him job and pecuniary benefits to accept Christianity Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:10:00 +0700 India's poll body releases data on political donations https://www.ucanews.com/news/indias-poll-body-releases-data-on-political-donations/104450 UCA104450 The details published after a top court order confirmed financial advantage of PM Modi's party ahead of national election Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:06:00 +0700 What would a BJP victory mean for India's constitution? https://www.ucanews.com/news/what-would-a-bjp-victory-mean-for-indias-constitution/104446 UCA104446 The ruling party’s electoral dominance has emboldened it to pursue its ideology of Hindu dominance with greater vigor Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:24:00 +0700 10 receive life terms under India’s new law on mob lynching https://www.ucanews.com/news/10-receive-life-terms-under-indias-new-law-on-mob-lynching/104433 UCA104433 They were convicted for killing a Muslim meat trader over rumor of cow slaughter in 2018 in northern Uttar Pradesh state Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:55:00 +0700 Sri Lankan cardinal moves court against appointment of top cop https://www.ucanews.com/news/sri-lankan-cardinal-moves-court-against-appointment-of-top-cop/104426 UCA104426 Malcolm Ranjith finds fault with casting vote by speaker to clear appointment of controversial Deshabandu Tennekoon Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:59:00 +0700 India’s PM Modi makes bold move to stay in power https://www.ucanews.com/news/indias-pm-modi-makes-bold-move-to-stay-in-power/104413 UCA104413 Implementation of a citizenship law excluding Muslims, passed in 2019, may polarize Hindu votes in national poll Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:34:00 +0700 Indian priest, 10 others get bail after one month in jail https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-priest-10-others-get-bail-after-one-month-in-jail/104415 UCA104415 They were accused of violating the stringent anti-conversion law in northern Uttar Pradesh state Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:29:00 +0700 India to enforce divisive citizenship law https://www.ucanews.com/news/india-to-enforce-divisive-citizenship-law/104407 UCA104407 Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2024 will grant nationality to all, except Muslims, who entered India before December 2014 Tue, 12 Mar 2024 12:09:00 +0700 Priests, laity defy new head of India's Eastern rite Church https://www.ucanews.com/news/priests-laity-defy-new-head-of-indias-eastern-rite-church/104405 UCA104405 Only 12 of 328 parishes in archdiocese read out Major Archbishop’s pastoral letter to protest his failure to settle liturgy dispute Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:35:00 +0700 Christians decry India’s Assam state for neglecting them https://www.ucanews.com/news/christians-decry-indias-assam-state-for-neglecting-them/104404 UCA104404 The silence of the elected government forces Christians to submit a memorandum to the governor Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:23:00 +0700 Catholic nuns empower distressed Nepali women https://www.ucanews.com/news/catholic-nuns-empower-distressed-nepali-women/104391 UCA104391 Good Shepherd Sisters founded an NGO to offer skills training and funding so young women in Pokhara can become self-reliant Mon, 11 Mar 2024 10:20:00 +0700 India raids network luring citizens to fight for Russia https://www.ucanews.com/news/india-raids-network-luring-citizens-to-fight-for-russia/104390 UCA104390 At least two Indians have been killed in the conflict, recruits say they were shipped to the frontlines under false pretenses Sat, 09 Mar 2024 10:58:00 +0700 Church in India hails move to tackle wild animal attacks https://www.ucanews.com/news/church-in-india-hails-move-to-tackle-wild-animal-attacks/104383 UCA104383 Southern Kerala is plagued by man-animal conflict, which the state's communist government declared a 'state-specific disaster' Fri, 08 Mar 2024 18:57:00 +0700 Women’s struggle in Pakistan indicates mission failure https://www.ucanews.com/news/womens-struggle-in-pakistan-indicates-mission-failure/104381 UCA104381 The saddest contributors are Western-educated and English-speaking men, who remain silent Fri, 08 Mar 2024 18:42:00 +0700 Government Restrictions Index hits all-time high https://www.ucanews.com/news/government-restrictions-index-hits-all-time-high/104380 UCA104380 Among the populous nations, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh scored high on social hostilities in 2021, said Pew Research Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:32:00 +0700 Pakistan's women 'Rowdy Riders' take on traffic, tradition https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistans-women-rowdy-riders-take-on-traffic-tradition/104379 UCA104379 Karachi's women-only group teaches novices basics of balancing on a bicycle to high-octane gear changing and negotiating traffic Fri, 08 Mar 2024 12:18:00 +0700 Indian Church schools face fresh threat over Christian symbols https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-church-schools-face-fresh-threat-over-christian-symbols/104372 UCA104372 Church has complained to Assam state government, says unnecessarily dragged into false charges of religious conversion Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:10:00 +0700 Lay group seeks protection from Hindu groups in Indian state https://www.ucanews.com/news/lay-group-seeks-protection-from-hindu-groups-in-indian-state/104358 UCA104358 Christians and their institutions are facing increasing threats in northeastern Assam state Wed, 06 Mar 2024 18:26:00 +0700 Rights group slams ‘repressed’ civic space in Pakistan https://www.ucanews.com/news/rights-group-slams-repressed-civic-space-in-pakistan/104347 UCA104347 Systematic assaults on political opposition, criminalization of rights activists and journalists continue, Civicus Monitor says Wed, 06 Mar 2024 10:26:00 +0700 India’s pro-Hindu party's tokenism for Muslims, Christians https://www.ucanews.com/news/indias-pro-hindu-partys-tokenism-for-muslims-christians/104342 UCA104342 The BJP’s first list of election candidates has one Muslim and one Christian, both from southern Kerala state Tue, 05 Mar 2024 18:21:00 +0700 Sri Lanka’s Buddhist prelates seek action against errant monk https://www.ucanews.com/news/sri-lankas-buddhist-prelates-seek-action-against-errant-monk/104346 UCA104346 Ven. Dhammalankara Thera accused of spreading false ideologies and misleading the island nation’s Buddhist people Tue, 05 Mar 2024 18:13:00 +0700 Educator gets bail after India’s top court intervention https://www.ucanews.com/news/educator-gets-bail-after-indias-top-court-intervention/104345 UCA104345 Rajendra Bihari Lal, vice-chancellor of a British-era university, is facing a slew of court cases Tue, 05 Mar 2024 17:58:00 +0700 Nepali man takes snow leopards' welfare to new heights https://www.ucanews.com/news/nepali-man-takes-snow-leopards-welfare-to-new-heights/104330 UCA104330 For Tibetans in Nepal, the world's least studied big cat is a god and a demon at the same time Tue, 05 Mar 2024 17:54:00 +0700 Power plant spells misery for Sri Lankan fisherfolk https://www.ucanews.com/news/power-plant-spells-misery-for-sri-lankan-fisherfolk/104332 UCA104332 Wind power plant in Mannar has negative impacts on local environment and fishing communities, locals and activists say Tue, 05 Mar 2024 11:10:00 +0700 Sri Lankan Catholics counter fisher union’s ‘false propaganda' https://www.ucanews.com/news/sri-lankan-catholics-counter-fisher-unions-false-propaganda/104334 UCA104334 Archdiocese of Colombo and United Fishermen's Society are locked in a legal battle to wrest management of Pitipana fish market Mon, 04 Mar 2024 19:01:00 +0700 Catholics back women’s manifesto ahead of India’s polls https://www.ucanews.com/news/catholics-back-womens-manifesto-ahead-of-indias-polls/104335 UCA104335 The 13-point demand list will be handed over to all political parties before polls in May Mon, 04 Mar 2024 18:45:00 +0700 Indian diocese removes priest for assaulting elderly couple https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-diocese-removes-priest-for-assaulting-elderly-couple/104333 UCA104333 Father Nelson Olivera of Mangalore diocese was caught on camera physically assaulting an elderly couple Mon, 04 Mar 2024 18:42:00 +0700 Pakistan’s modern-day martyr deserves recognition by Church https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistans-modern-day-martyr-deserves-recognition-by-church/104325 UCA104325 I hope Shahbaz Bhatti will be beatified soon, and we can all take inspiration from his ultimate sacrifice Mon, 04 Mar 2024 11:23:00 +0700 Pakistani brothers accused of blasphemy released https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistani-brothers-accused-of-blasphemy-released/104324 UCA104324 They were detained on suspicion of defacing the Holy Qur’an in Jaranwala where a mob vandalized Christian homes and churches Sat, 02 Mar 2024 12:27:00 +0700 8 injured in India cafe blast: state official https://www.ucanews.com/news/8-injured-in-india-cafe-blast-state-official/104320 UCA104320 Investigators suspect the bomb was an improvised device, are yet to determine the reason for the blast Sat, 02 Mar 2024 12:06:00 +0700 Over 30 Christians, Catholic priest continue in Indian jails https://www.ucanews.com/news/over-30-christians-catholic-priest-continue-in-indian-jails/104319 UCA104319 Father Dominic Pinto and 10 others are booked under the draconian anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh Sat, 02 Mar 2024 11:46:00 +0700 Climate change puts Bangladesh’s food security at stake https://www.ucanews.com/news/climate-change-puts-bangladeshs-food-security-at-stake/104318 UCA104318 Prolonged hotter summer days and delayed monsoons negatively impact crop production, experts say Sat, 02 Mar 2024 11:17:00 +0700 Indian army works to befriend Naga Christian village https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-army-works-to-befriend-naga-christian-village/104317 UCA104317 The Indian military is working hard to befriend people in a village where they killed 14 civilians by mistake Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:45:00 +0700 Church leaders refute claim of tribal conversions in central India https://www.ucanews.com/news/church-leaders-refute-claim-of-tribal-conversions-in-central-india/104313 UCA104313 A weekly claimed some 25 tribal people embraced Christianity in Chhattisgarh violating the anti-conversion law Fri, 01 Mar 2024 18:32:00 +0700 Over 40 dead in Bangladesh restaurant fire https://www.ucanews.com/news/over-40-dead-in-bangladesh-restaurant-fire/104303 UCA104303 Fire officials said the blaze in a popular biriyani restaurant in Dhaka's Bailey Road was caused by a gas cylinder blast Fri, 01 Mar 2024 11:58:00 +0700 Pakistan Christians hail increase in marriage age https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistan-christians-hail-increase-in-marriage-age/104291 UCA104291 The government has raised the age limit for Christian boys from 16 to 18 and from 13 to 18 for girls Fri, 01 Mar 2024 11:05:00 +0700 Govt admits 219 deaths in sectarian strife in India’s Manipur https://www.ucanews.com/news/govt-admits-219-deaths-in-sectarian-strife-in-indias-manipur/104296 UCA104296 Most victims of the violence in the northeastern state over the past 10 months are tribal Christians Thu, 29 Feb 2024 19:13:00 +0700 Indian bishop urges religious leaders to bury differences https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishop-urges-religious-leaders-to-bury-differences/104285 UCA104285 The Church in Karnataka is making a move toward inter-religious harmony as the state is now ruled by a secular party Wed, 28 Feb 2024 18:52:00 +0700 Police rescue woman from blasphemy mob in Pakistan https://www.ucanews.com/news/police-rescue-woman-from-blasphemy-mob-in-pakistan/104276 UCA104276 A woman police officer appealed with the crowd to let the law determine whether blasphemy laws had been breached Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:52:00 +0700 Indian tribal Christians face starvation in relief camps  https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-tribal-christians-face-starvationin-relief-camps/104274 UCA104274 State officials cut food supply to relief camps after some protestors turned violent on Feb. 15 Tue, 27 Feb 2024 18:54:00 +0700 Posters targeting Christian schools reappear in India’s Assam https://www.ucanews.com/news/posters-targeting-christian-schools-reappear-in-indias-assam/104258 UCA104258 Demand for removal of religious symbols from Christian schools has surfaced yet again Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:47:00 +0700 Indian state stifles Muslims as national election approaches https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-state-stifles-muslims-as-national-election-approaches/104260 UCA104260 PM Modi’s BJP aims to consolidate Hindu votes for itself in the northeastern state of Assam Mon, 26 Feb 2024 19:15:00 +0700 Indian priest attacked inside parish premises, bishops demand action https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-priest-attacked-inside-parish-premises-bishops-demand-action/104255 UCA104255 55 bike-riding youths hit Father Joseph Attuchalil of Palai diocese when he objected to their racing inside church compound Mon, 26 Feb 2024 18:48:00 +0700 Indian priest awarded for promoting Tamil language, literature https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-priest-awarded-for-promoting-tamil-language-literature/104246 UCA104246 The southern Tamil Nadu government bestowed the George Uglow Pope (G.U. Pope) Award on Father Amudhan of Tanjore Diocese Sun, 25 Feb 2024 11:02:00 +0700 Pakistanis protest against top court's minorities ruling https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistanis-protest-against-top-courts-minorities-ruling/104242 UCA104242 Around 3,000 people gathered at protest rallies across the northwestern city of Peshawar after Friday prayers Sat, 24 Feb 2024 12:08:00 +0700 Indian court pulls order that triggered Manipur ethnic riots https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-court-pulls-order-that-triggered-manipur-ethnic-riots/104237 UCA104237 Move is expected to bring peace back to violence-hit state, where sporadic unrest continues Fri, 23 Feb 2024 15:02:00 +0700 Indian diocese starts Lenten drive to help homeless https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-diocese-starts-lenten-drive-to-help-homeless/104233 UCA104233 Mangalore Bishop House hits the stand with ‘Donate a Tile with a Smile’ Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:11:00 +0700 Indian Church demands action against people who humiliated nun https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-church-demands-action-against-people-who-humiliated-nun/104228 UCA104228 The nun was mocked for her religious habit and faith by co-passengers before being forced out of a bus Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:03:00 +0700 Indian 'warriors' face police to protect farmers https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-warriors-face-police-to-protect-farmers/104231 UCA104231 Nihangs, a centuries-old warrior group renowned for defending Sikh faith, have come to guard farmer demonstrations in Delhi Fri, 23 Feb 2024 11:28:00 +0700 Indian fishers to boycott St. Anthony’s feast on Sri Lankan island https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-fishers-to-boycott-st-anthonys-feast-on-sri-lankan-island/104226 UCA104226 Fisherpeople from Tamil Nadu are angry over the conviction of their 23 coworkers of illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:54:00 +0700 Pakistani insurance agent keeps hopes alive with unwavering faith https://www.ucanews.com/news/pakistani-insurance-agent-keeps-hopes-alive-with-unwavering-faith/104213 UCA104213 Gill’s boss suggested he drop his Christian name from his visiting card, but he refused ‘because it would be rejecting my faith’ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 10:20:00 +0700 Elections lay bare Catholic Church’s lost mission in Asia https://www.ucanews.com/news/elections-lay-bare-catholic-churchs-lost-mission-in-asia/104211 UCA104211 The Christian inability to become a moral force in a democracy is costing the poor, minorities in poll-bound Asian nations Wed, 21 Feb 2024 18:28:00 +0700 Global theologians' forum opposes 'colonialization’ of Palestine https://www.ucanews.com/news/global-theologians-forum-opposes-colonialization-of-palestine/104212 UCA104212 Theologians' forum, which met in Kathmandu, Nepal, discussed religion and politics from the perspectives of liberation and care Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:56:00 +0700 Apathy in Bangladesh fuels child labor exploitation https://www.ucanews.com/news/apathy-in-bangladesh-fuels-child-labor-exploitation/104190 UCA104190 About 40 percent of about three million domestic workers are children, who are often underpaid, exploited and abused Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:36:00 +0700 The evolving role of the Catholic press https://www.ucanews.com/news/the-evolving-role-of-the-catholic-press/104203 UCA104203 The press is a structured presence of community in public communication, challenging its readers to see, judge, and act Tue, 20 Feb 2024 17:33:00 +0700 Safety fears for innocent blasphemy-accused in Pakistan https://www.ucanews.com/news/safety-fears-for-innocent-blasphemy-accused-in-pakistan/104202 UCA104202 Christian man and his family remain in hiding fearing mob attacks despite police dismissing charge Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:54:00 +0700 Indian bishops urge govt to allow shooting of wild animals https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-bishops-urge-govt-to-allow-shooting-of-wild-animals/104201 UCA104201 Farmers should be allowed to protect themselves, they say after spate of human-wildlife conflict deaths Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:51:00 +0700 Top Buddhist monks slam Sri Lankan govt’s privatization plan https://www.ucanews.com/news/top-buddhist-monks-slam-sri-lankan-govts-privatization-plan/104198 UCA104198 In a letter to President Wickremesinghe, they warn against selling state-owned enterprises to foreign companies Tue, 20 Feb 2024 15:44:00 +0700 Indian tribal Christians angry at move to seal Myanmar border https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-tribal-christians-angry-at-move-to-seal-myanmar-border/104184 UCA104184 'Do not divide us,’ PM Modi told by leaders of indigenous people’s groups from northeastern Nagaland and Mizoram states Mon, 19 Feb 2024 18:38:00 +0700 Indian Christians wary of state's plan to beef up anti-conversion law https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-christians-wary-of-states-plan-to-beef-up-anti-conversion-law/104189 UCA104189 Pro-Hindu government in central Chhattisgarh state is making move with upcoming polls in mind, warns Bishop Paul Toppo Mon, 19 Feb 2024 18:10:00 +0700 Indian Catholic school seeks protection from hostile Hindu groups https://www.ucanews.com/news/indian-catholic-school-seeks-protection-from-hostile-hindu-groups/104187 UCA104187 Church-run schools in northeastern Assam state are being threatened to remove all religious symbols from their premises Mon, 19 Feb 2024 17:40:00 +0700 French journalist leaving India after expulsion threat https://www.ucanews.com/news/french-journalist-leaving-india-after-expulsion-threat/104175 UCA104175 Vanessa Dougnac, a contributor to French-language publications including the weekly Le Point, worked in India for 23 years Sat, 17 Feb 2024 11:55:00 +0700 5 Christians arrested after clashes over church land row https://www.ucanews.com/news/5-christians-arrested-after-clashes-over-church-land-row/104170 UCA104170 Christians were confronted by a mob for resisting attempts to acquire church land for road widening in southern Telangana state Fri, 16 Feb 2024 18:53:00 +0700