Robancy A Helen

In a landmark move towards inclusive leadership, the Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops' Council (KRCBC) has appointed Dr. Isabella Selvaraj Xavier as the new Joint Secretary to the Regional Commission for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes (SC/ST/BC).

Father Arul Valan (54), a Salesian priest of Don Bosco and a tireless champion of the poor and oppressed—especially the Thurumbar (Puthirai Vannars), the washermen community in Tamil Nadu—passed away due to a heart attack on April 8, 2025, at 2:30 a.m.

Nam Vazhvu (Our Life), a Catholic Tamil weekly published by the Tamil Nadu Bishops' Council since 1975, honored three veteran writers for their significant contributions during its Golden Jubilee celebrations for the Tiruchirappalli zone on March 31, 2025, at St. Mary’s Cathedral Hall, Melaputhur, Tamil Nadu, India.

Puthupunal (Fresh Water), the women’s wing of Our Lady the Healer Church in Karumandapam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, has been actively involved in promoting gender equality and building the Kingdom of God.

On March 13, the church installed a new statue of Saint Francis Xavier, resembling the saint’s incorrupt body.

Cardinal Anthony Poola said, "The very focus of the Synodal Church is mission, communion, and participation."

Saint Francis Xavier is the patron of foreign missions.

Tamil Nadu ranks first in India in deceased organ donation rate at 1.8 per million population, which is seven times higher than the national average.

A 62-year-old nun who is allegedly framed in “a forced conversion case and death of a schoolgirl” in south India got bail from the local court on February 7.

The death of a poet, philosopher and priest is mourned in south India.
Father A. Pitchaimuthu died on January 30 at Viruthachalam, Tamil Nadu, south India. He was 82.