The Indian Social Institute (ISI) is a prestigious Jesuit-inspired centre for research, training, and action for socio-economic development and human rights in India. It was founded in 1951 in Pune, but shifted to the Indian capital, New Delhi in 1963. The ISI was the brainchild of a brilliant Jesuit priest, Fr. Jerome D'Souza an educationist who was remarkably active in the civil society of the days of Independence, for which he was inducted into the Indian Constituent Assembly. Another ISI branch was established in 1963 in Bangalore to deal with issues of southern India. It became independent in 1993. Last week, in the first part of an interview, Fr. Denzil Fernandes, the Executive Director of ISI, New Delhi, explained how his institute is part of the contribution of the Jesuits in the process of nation-building. The institute does research on labour, indigenous, tribal, Dalit and women’s issues. It also imparts training on these issu...
The Indian Social Institute (ISI) is a prestigious Jesuit-inspired centre for research, training, and action for socio-economic development and human rights in India. It was founded in 1951 in Pune, but shifted to the Indian capital, New Delhi in 1963. The ISI was the brainchild of a brilliant Jesuit priest, Fr. Jerome D'Souza an educationist who was remarkably active in the civil society of the days of Independence, for which he was inducted into the Indian Constituent Assembly. Another ISI branch was established in 1963 in Bangalore to deal with issues of southern India. It became independent in 1993.
Last week, in the first part of an interview, Fr. Denzil Fernandes, the Executive Director of ISI, New Delhi, explained how his institute is part of the contribution of the Jesuits in the process of nation-building. The institute does research on labour, indigenous, tribal, Dalit and women’s issues. It also imparts training on these issues as well as on legal awareness and empowering of women, which are useful to NGO workers, priests and religious. The Indian Social Institute, Delhi, is not affiliated to any university or government institute, but many of its researches are funded by government institutes. Fr. Fernandes said the setup of the ISI is very secular with staff and researches coming from every religious and social background. Today, Fr. Denzil Fernandes begins the final part of his interview explaining how the institute networks with other organizations and groups.
null / Credit: Peter Hermes Furian via ShutterstockACI Prensa Staff, Apr 19, 2024 / 15:00 pm (CNA).The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) on April 19 condemned the kidnapping and murder of a catechist in Burkina Faso, West Africa.In a news brief, ACN informed ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner, that catechist Edouard Yougbare was kidnapped on Thursday night by "terrorists, and his lifeless body was found near Zigni this morning."According to other local sources, along with Yougbare, who was a member of Saatenga parish in Fada Gourma, Burkina Faso, more people were kidnapped and murdered."We are heartbroken by the loss of Yougbare. He served his community faithfully and his death is a devastating blow for the people of Saatenga," lamented Spaniard María Lozano, press and public relations director of ACN International."Catechists in Burkina Faso are on the front lines, risking their lives for the good of their people. Just two months ago, ano...
Pope Francis addresses the faithful at his Wednesday general audience on March 27, 2024. / Credit: Vatican MediaVatican City, Apr 19, 2024 / 10:07 am (CNA).In the latest move in Pope Francis' reform of the Vatican judiciary, the pope issued a new motu proprio on Friday on the retirement age and benefits for cardinal judges and magistrates in the Vatican's court system.The April 19 motu proprio states that Vatican magistrates will retire at the end of the judicial year in which they turn 75 and cardinal judges at the age of 80, unless Pope Francis asks them to remain in office beyond the age limit.Magistrates and judges who wish to resign from office before the retirement age can only do so with the approval of the pope.The pope also has the prerogative to dismiss magistrates unable to fulfill their duties at any time. Upon the termination of their duties, magistrates will retain the rights to assistance and welfare provided to Vatican citizens and employees.The motu proprio, wh...
Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow announced on April 14, 2024, the decision to begin the process of beatification and canonization of Helena Agnieszka Kmiec, a young lay missionary murdered in Bolivia in 2017. / Credit: The Helena Kmiec FoundationACI Prensa Staff, Apr 19, 2024 / 07:00 am (CNA).Archbishop Marek Jedraszewski of Krakow, Poland, announced the decision to begin the process of beatification and canonization of Helena Agnieszka Kmiec, a young lay missionary murdered in Bolivia in 2017.The prelate said that after the preliminary phase began in December 2022, he made the decision to officially open the process for Kmiec after having consulted the Polish Bishops' Conference and receiving the go-ahead from the Vatican's Dicastery for the Causes of Saints."With this edict I call on all those who have any document, letter, or information about the Servant of God, both positive and negative, to send them to the Metropolitan Curia of Krakow before June 30," the archbish...
