Anti-Christian persecution Archives - Page 82 of 88

‘Kandhamal’ tells the whole story of anti-Christian persecution
- Jul 28, 2015
BHUBANESWAR, India – Because of the dramatic events that unfolded there, certain places have come to symbolize entire movements or chapters of history. “Gettysburg,” for instance, immediately evokes the American Civil War, just as “Tiananmen Square” is now universal shorthand for non-violent protest. In similar fashion, in terms of contemporary

By John L. Allen Jr.
India showcases the maddening complexity of religious persecution
- Jul 25, 2015
MUMBAI, India — I spent much of this week among some of the most victimized Christians on the planet: members of India’s tribal underclass. A colleague and I met some in Mumbai and others in a township called Manor, composed of a series of rural villages about 60 miles outside

By John L. Allen Jr.
Nun’s tale captures the paradoxes of India’s love affair with religion
- Jul 23, 2015
MUMBAI, India – Every Wednesday at 4 p.m. in St. Michael’s Church in Mumbai, thousands of people crowd the large urban shrine for a weekly prayer before an image of the Virgin Mary under the title “Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” which tradition holds is capable of working miracles for

By John L. Allen Jr.

India tolerant? Its Christians beg to differ

Jul 19, 2015

At the level of sweeping stereotypes, most Westerners tend to think of India and its dominant religion, Hinduism, as bastions of tolerance. Ever since the Beatles traveled to an ashram to study meditation, there’s been a chic about Indian spirituality as the ultimate in “all paths lead to the same

By John L. Allen Jr.

Holy Family today would run away from Egypt, not toward it

Jul 5, 2015

CAIRO/ROME – At the very origins of Christianity lies the story of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt, escaping persecution under an Israelite king. In the crypt of a small Cairo church, one can still find the well from which tradition holds that Joseph, Mary, and the child Jesus drew

By John L. Allen Jr.

Chicago’s Archbishop Cupich sees ‘consistent ethic of life’ staging a comeback

Jul 1, 2015

ROME – Archbishop Blase Cupich won’t be hosting Pope Francis when he comes to the United States in September, as the visit is an East Coast affair. Nonetheless, the top Catholic in the Windy City may still be in the spotlight along the way, since many see him as this

By John L. Allen Jr.