Latest news with #PaulRichardGallagher
The Wire
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Wire
Rights Group Writes to Vatican Over Rise in Violence Against Christians in India
New Delhi: Civil society group United Christian Forum has submitted a memorandum highlighting targeted attacks against the Christian community in India to the Vatican, the Hindu reported. The letter was given to Vatican foreign minister Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, who is on a week-long visit to India to meet with church officials in the country. The letter urged the Vatican minister to bring up rising crimes against the minority community during his talks with Indian officials. Gallagher held a meeting with Union external affairs minister S. Jaishankar last week. The Indian minister took to social media after the meeting on Thursday and said that he was pleased to meet the archbishop, adding that they had 'good conversation about the importance of faith, and the need for dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts'. In January, UCF had released a report which stated that 2024 witnessed 834 hate crimes against Christians, up from 734 such incidents in 2023. In the Modi decade, such crimes had increased from 127 in 2014, the report further said. 'The alarming frequency of attacks translates to more than two Christians being targeted every day in India simply for practising their faith,' UCF had said. In their submission to Gallagher, UCF said that the 'primary reason for these attacks has been false allegations of fraudulent conversions'. According to the report, the highest number of incidents in 2024 were reported from Uttar Pradesh (209), followed by Chhattisgarh (165). In many of these cases, rights activists have pointed out, no First Information Report is filed – sometimes despite there being a police complaint on the matter. In other situations, victims are afraid to approach the police because they believe that the police will try to turn the matter around, and side with the perpetrators while filing false charges against the victims.
Scroll.in
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Civil society group submits memorandum to Vatican on ‘targeted violence' against Christians in India
Civil society group United Christian Forum has submitted a memorandum to the Vatican about the increase in 'targeted violence and hostility' against Christians in India, The Hindu reported on Saturday. The memorandum was handed over to Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, foreign minister of the Vatican, on Thursday during his week-long visit to the country to meet Indian officials and church functionaries. It urged Gallagher to talk about attacks on Christians while meeting Indian officials. On Thursday, the archbishop held a meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. After the meeting, Jaishankar on social media said that he was pleased to meet the archbishop, adding that the two leaders had a 'good conversation about the importance of faith, and the need for dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts'. Pleased to meet Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See. A good conversation about the importance of faith, and the need for dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts. 🇮🇳 🇻🇦 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 17, 2025 The visit comes months after the United Christian Forum released a report on January 10, which said that the number of attacks against Christians had increased from 127 in 2014 to 834 in 2024. In its memorandum submitted to Gallagher, the civil society group referred to the report on the rise in 'incidents of violence and hostility towards Christians', adding that the 'primary reason for these attacks has been false allegations of fraudulent conversions', The Hindu reported. Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were the top two states where such allegations had led to 'either attacks on people at prayer or their illegal arrest by the police', the civil society group said citing its report. 'A large number of Catholic priests and nuns faced arrests, attacks, and legal actions in northern India,' the memorandum added, according to The Hindu. 'It is an alarming situation for missionaries.' Jose Vallikkatt, a Catholic priest based in Punjab's Bathinda city, told the newspaper that while the 'physical and mental torture is abominable, what is more alarming is the denial of religious rights of Christians. That's a constitutional violation'.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Sharp rise in attacks on Christians in northern India casts a shadow on BJP's outreach in Kerala
Even as the State leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensifies its outreach to the Christian community ahead of the upcoming local body and Assembly elections, a sharp rise in attacks on Christians in northern India is casting a shadow on the initiative. According to data compiled by the United Christian Forum (UCF), a Christian movement, the number of reported incidents targeting Christians has surged dramatically over the past decade — from 127 cases in 2014 to 834 in 2024 — raising concerns about the safety and inclusivity of the political landscape. Demanding immediate intervention, the UCF has approached the Vatican, seeking its support over the growing number of such attacks in India. 'A memorandum about the targeted violence and hostility towards the Christian community in India was handed over to Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Foreign Minister of the Vatican, who is on a visit to India, by Anil J.T. Couto, Archbishop of Delhi and Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, on behalf of the UCF,' said A.C. Michael, national coordinator of the UCF. 'In 2024, the UCF recorded 834 incidents of violence and hostility towards Christians or individuals, compared to the 734 cases reported in 2023. The primary reason for these attacks has been false allegations of fraudulent conversions. Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are the top two States where such allegations have led to either attacks on people at prayer or their illegal arrest by the police,' stated the memorandum. 'A large number of Catholic priests and nuns faced arrests, attacks, and legal actions in northern India. It is an alarming situation for missionaries.' 'It's a reality that in India religious persecution of minorities, particularly of Christians, has rose significantly in the past decade. This is evidenced by data both of government institutions as well as private organisations. While physical and mental torture is abominable, what is more alarming is the denial of religious rights of Christians. That's a constitutional violation, ' said Fr. Jose Vallikkatt, a Catholic priest based in Bathinda. 'These attacks are not just random acts of violence; they are carefully orchestrated and perpetrated with impunity. The perpetrators, frequently affiliated with extremist nationalist groups, seek to intimidate and marginalise the community, undermining their right to freedom of religion and belief,' said Fr. Suresh Mathew, former editor of Indian Currents Weekly and a Catholic priest based in Punjab. 'Despite repeated assurances of protection and justice, authorities have failed to take decisive action against the perpetrators, allowing a culture of impunity to thrive,' he said.
Herald Malaysia
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV receives Vice-President of Vietnam
After an audience with Pope Leo XIV, the Vice-President of Vietnam meets with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. Jun 30, 2025 Pope Leo XIV receives the Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Vatican (@VATICAN MEDIA) VATICAN: The Holy See Press Office released the following statement about Pope Leo XIV's meeting on Monday morning with the Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Pope Leo XIV received in audience, in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Her Excellency Madam Vo Thi An Xuan, who subsequently met with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. During the cordial discussions which took place in the Secretariat of State, warm appreciation was expressed for the positive developments in the relations between the Holy See and Vietnam, in particular in the implementation of the Agreement on the Status of the Resident Pontifical Representative in Vietnam, while underscoring the contribution of the Catholic Church to Vietnamese society. An exchange of views then took place on the socio-political situation of the country, as well as on regional and international developments.--Vatican News
MTV Lebanon
16-02-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Wadih El Khazen contacts Gallagher to check on Pope's health
Dean of the Maronite General Council, former Minister Wadih El Khazen, contacted today the Vatican Foreign Minister, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher, checking on the health of Pope Francis and wishing him a speedy recovery after suffering a respiratory tract infection. The phone call was an opportunity to discuss developments in Lebanon after the election of a President of the Republic, and the formation of a new government capable of working to win the confidence of the friendly international community that is waiting to extend a helping hand to the Lebanese people.
