Vatican to canonise Indian woman
Whatever.
A nun from southern India…is set to be named by the Vatican as the country’s first woman saint.
Sister Alphonsa of Kerala…will be formally canonised in October. She had burnt and disfigured herself to avoid a marriage, having chosen to dedicate her life to Christ…
Marco Tosatti, Vatican correspondent for Italian daily La Stampa, said the canonisation would offer support to Christians in India “who are often subject of persecution and violence by some Hindu groups, for political motives…”
Indian Christians have been accused by hardline Hindu nationalists of “forced conversions” - especially among low-caste and tribal peoples. They are also accused of making conversion to Christianity a condition for receiving treatment at medical centres they run.
The state Orissa has a law obliging people to ask for police permission before changing religion - thought to be a measure aimed at curbing Christian missionaries.
Cripes - though such cumulative silliness isn’t limited to a single country or culture - how many regressive laws, rules and customs are recounted in this article?
Posted: Tue - March 4, 2008 at 03:13 PM