caste Archives

Vatican drops ‘caste name’ of Blessed Devasahayam when announcing miracle

Feb 25, 2020

A Vatican decree this weekend announced a miracle had been approved for Blessed Devasahayam, clearing the way for his canonization. However, when Devasahayam was declared a Blessed in 2012, the name used was Devasahayam Pillai.

By Nirmala Carvalho

Indian man’s ‘honor killing’ by wife’s family highlights caste divisions in Church

Nov 10, 2018

A Christian man’s murder in India is being treated as an ‘honor killing’ — highlighting the shadow the country’s historic caste system has even within the Church.

By Nirmala Carvalho

Church leaders to mark anniversary of anti-Christian attacks in India

Nov 6, 2018

Christian leaders in India are calling on the faithful “to stand with the vulnerable Dalits in the society” on Dalit Liberation Sunday, scheduled to take place on Nov. 11.

By Nirmala Carvalho

So-called honor killing in Catholic family shocks Indian state

May 31, 2018

The murder of a socially poor Dalit Catholic man who had married a woman belonging to an upper-caste Syrian Christian family has fueled protests across India’s southern state of Kerala.

By Catholic News Service

Christians in India call for justice for former ‘untouchables’ this Sunday

Nov 11, 2017

The Catholic bishops in India joined with the country’s National Council of Churches to institute Dalit Liberation Sunday every second Sunday of November. The former “untouchables” have suffered discrimination for centuries, but those who are Christians suffer additional marginalization, as well as losing eligibility for government assistance programs available to other Dalits.

By Nirmala Carvalho

Archbishop in India concerned ‘Amoris Laetitia’ doesn’t discuss interreligious marriage

Oct 26, 2017

Indian Archbishop Felix Machado warned about being prejudiced against interreligious marriages, stating that although such marriages are not ideal, Catholics should note where Pope Francis says people should not be trapped in lamenting the situation a couple find themselves but remember that for all a family’s problems, it can always grow, “beginning with love.”

By Nirmala Carvalho