Fewer US states use capital punishment in 2023, report says
However, there was an increase in executions from the previous year, nine of 24 prisoners executed were people of color
The new diocese of Sultanpet, include the civil district of Palakkad in the state of Kerala, is bordered by the dioceses of Coimbatore and Calicut. It is a suffragan diocese of the ecclesiastical province of Verapoly.
The new Diocese of Sultanpet has an area of 4466 km and has a population...
In a land area of approximately 10,700 square kilometers, the diocesan territory covers the prefecture-level city of Shuozhou. Its administrative area includes 2 urban districts (Shuocheng and Pinglu) and 4 counties (Shanyin, Ying, Youyu and...
Recent Events
Marian Basilica lives the memory of India’s sole Roman Catholic ruler
Basilica of Our Lady of Graces in Sardhana is a historic church that lives the memory of love and benevolence of the sole female Roman Catholic ruler in India. Our Lady of Graces Church of Sardhana stands at Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh of northern India. Consecrated in 1822, this 200-feet long church with a high central dome over the main altar, is one of the largest churches in northern India.
Indian basilica soaked in the blood of St. Thomas, the Apostle
Saint Thomas Cathedral Basilica at Mylapore is a monumental declaration on ancient root of Christianity in India. The church was built over the tomb of St. Thomas, the Apostle who is believed to have preached Christianity in India. The cathedral preserves 2000-year-old bones of the saint and the lance that pierced him to death. Popularly known as Santhome Church, the cathedral at Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamil Nadu state was constructed during the Portuguese era in the 16th century. “San Thome” assumes its name from St. Thomas.
Indian Church relishes miracles of Saint Thomas, the Apostle
On every first Friday of the month thousands of Catholics flock to Holy Cross Church of Cherpunkal in Kerala, India to revere Infant Jesus and St. Thomas, the founder of the church. The church stands on the southern bank of Meenachil River. This fabled church, also known by its Syriac name Mar Sleeva (Holy Cross)Church, belongs to Catholic Diocese of Palai of the Eastern-rite Syro-Malabar Church.
Indian cathedral remembers Jesuit mission among tribals in eastern India
St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state, is the mother church in the tribal belt of eastern India, where Belgian Jesuits laid the foundation of Catholicism in 19th century. This brownish Church, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary, stands on Dr. Camil Bulcke Path and nestles between St. Xavier’s College and St. Albert Major Seminary.
St. Gonsalo Garcia: First Indian missionary who embraced martyrdom in Japan
Gonsalo Garcia was born on Feb. 5, 1556, to a Portuguese father and Indian mother of Konkani descent, at Agashi village at Bassein (now Vasai), near Mumbai city in western India. His father was a soldier stationed at Fort Bassein, a Portuguese fort. Gonsalo received his education under the Jesuits. While assisting at the Church of the Holy of Jesus at Bassein, he developed a friendship with Jesuit Father Sebastian Gonsalves, who eventually became his lifelong mentor and guide.
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St. Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay martyr and patron of catechists
This Filipino layman martyr saint could be rightly called the patron of infant baptism because it was after the baptism of an infant through his instrumentality that on 2nd April 1672 Pedro was martyred along with his companion missionary Fr. Diego San Vitores who baptised the infant. This infant was of a mother who got converted to Catholicism.
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St. Lorenzo Ruiz, Filipino layman who became a martyr in Japan
Lorenzo Ruiz, also called Saint Lorenzo of Manila, is a Filipino saint venerated in the Catholic Church. A Chinese-Filipino, he became his country's protomartyr after his execution in Japan by the Tokugawa Shogunate during its persecution of Japanese Christians in the 17th century.
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Cardinal sends message to charismatic Catholics
The 5th Convention of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal is underway in Dubai
Canon law must be part of church's mission, pope says
Pope Francis urges pastoral, missionary approach to work on 50th anniversary of International Association for Canon Law Studies
Israel-Hamas tensions spill over at COP28 climate talks
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan uses his address to speak out against the resumption of Israeli military action in Gaza
Sri Lanka detains Christian 'prophet' for hurtful sermon
Jerome Fernando said in May that the Buddha had been 'looking for Jesus,' remarks that caused a backlash in the country
Religious leaders differ over appointment of Sri Lanka's top cop
Buddhist monks criticize Cardinal Ranjith for questioning promotion of Deshabandu Tennekoon as acting IGP
S. Korean charity to support poor kids in Laos, Mongolia
Many children in Laos and Mongolia do not complete education due to poverty, says reports
Thailand censured for deporting Myanmar refugees
Around 45,000 additional refugees fled to Thailand from Myanmar after the February 2021 coup
