Religion News

Alphonsa was always determined to be nun

Alphonsa, or Annakutty as she was born, was not one to be cowed down by tragedies.6:31 PM on October 12

'Alphonsamma' would help out with convent chores, recounts associate

Sister Mary is 91 but clearly remembers the days when 'Alphonsamma', annointed a saint by the Pope Sunday, would join the youngsters in cutting the grass and chopping vegetables at the convent in Bharananganam.6:31 PM on October 12

Six burnt alive in Andhra communal violence

Six members of a family, including three children, were burnt alive in the early hours of Sunday in a fresh communal flare-up in Andhra Pradesh's Adilabad district.5:01 PM on October 12

Bells chime in Kerala as devout mark sainthood of Alphonsa

Bells tolled across Catholic churches in Kerala Sunday and tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of the devout as far away in the Vatican the Pope declared Sister Alphonsa a saint, the first Indian Catholic woman to be canonised.5:00 PM on October 12

2 killed, 12 injured in West Bengal over Durga idol immersion

Clashes between rival groups during goddess Durga's idol immersion left two dead and 12 injured in West Bengal's Birbhum district, the police said Sunday.3:01 PM on October 12

Christians biggest borrowers among Kerala's minorities

Christians in Kerala, who constitute close to 23 percent of the 320 million state population, account for 57 percent of the total advances given by banks in the state to the minority communities during the year ended June 30, 2008.3:01 PM on October 12

Indian nun Alphonsa becomes 'Saint'

Kerala nun 'Blessed' Alphonsa is now Saint Alphonsa after she was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI at a ceremony at St. Peter's Square here Sunday, becoming the first Indian woman saint.3:00 PM on October 12

Terror and predicament of Muslims to figure in Delhi conclave

Top Muslim clerics are expected to be among thousands of religious leaders who will congregate in Delhi Oct 14, a day after the meeting of the National Integration Council, to discuss why elements in the community were being 'alienated and targeted' in the fight against terror.12:00 PM on October 12

Orissa Christians hold special prayers for Sister Alphonsa

Thousands of Christians across Orissa, including those living in relief camps in troubled Kandhamal district, offered special prayers for Kerala nun Sister Alphonsa, who will be canonised in the Vatican City Sunday.12:00 PM on October 12

Indian cardinal in Rome for Alponsa canonisation takes ill

Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, head of the Indian Catholic delegation that is in Vatican City for the canonisation of Kerala nun Sister Alphonsa, has been hospitalised due to chest pain, members of the Indian delegation said Sunday.11:00 AM on October 12

Three more arrested for raping Orissa nun

Three more people were arrested Saturday for their involvement in the alleged gang-rape of a nun in Orissa's Kandhamal district, where communal clashes since Aug 23 have claimed least 35 lives and rendered thousands homeless.9:31 PM on October 11

Christian ex-employee held for disfiguring Bible cage

A 41-year-old ex-employee of a Protestant church in the western suburbs here was arrested Saturday, a day after he allegedly disfigured the glass cage of a wall-embedded Bible, police said.9:31 PM on October 11

Madhya Pradesh communal clash: Death toll rises to eight

The death toll in Friday's religious riots in a Madhya Pradesh town has risen to eight with five people succumbing to their injuries Saturday, police said.8:01 PM on October 11

Dalai Lama stable, to be discharged soon

Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, who underwent gall bladder surgery at a hospital in the national capital Friday, was in a stable condition Saturday and is likely to be discharged in a couple of days, sources said.8:01 PM on October 11

Judicial probe demanded into Madhya Pradesh religious riots

The state Congress Saturday demanded a judicial probe into the communal violence in a Madhya Pradesh town that has claimed eight lives, saying the riots were was pre-planned.8:00 PM on October 11