John S. Shilshi
The Twin Pillars of the Catholic Church
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 19-Dec-2024
Dealing with the differences between the laity and clergy, the two pillars of the church, is a perpetual problem for the Catholic Church. Though the problem is real and sometimes threatens to tear apart the cohesiveness of the synodal church, it has alway.....
It is time Christians learn to read things between the lines
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 13-Nov-2024
The recent statement from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court, proposing a regulatory body to oversee church properties akin to temple boards and waqf boards for Hindus and Muslims, undoubtedly raises concerns. However, given the number of controve.....
Look within, before gazing afar
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 19-Oct-2024
Pope Francis has already announced the names of 21 new Cardinals who will officially assume the new role on December 8th, 2024. Following their appointment as cardinal-elects, the Holy Father wrote a short but powerful letter to all these men, who would s.....
The AICU needs to explore beyond its current boundaries.
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 08-Sep-2024
The All India Catholic Union, which is the apex body of lay Catholics in India, was born well ahead of India's independence. It is a union with inclusive representation, upholding the Catholic faithful's mandate from all three rites of the Catholic family.....
Wayanad: Another wakeup calls for Mankind
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 04-Aug-2024
Wayanad in Kerala is considered to be one of the rural districts in the state that has many attractions: a wildlife sanctuary, lush green forest cover, high altitude comfort, home to animals including Asian elephants, tigers, and leopards, and mesmerizing.....
Democracy has finally triumphed
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 06-Jun-2024
The Parliamentary Elections 2024 have been one hell of an epic exercise, not because they were conducted in a country known as the world’s largest democracy, but simply because of the manner in which the entire exercise was carried out. Between the first.....
Is the CBCI admitting that Catholic Schools are indeed converting people?
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 13-Apr-2024
Provoked by series of wild allegations on Christian institutes converting students from other religions, the NECARF Review ran an editorial as early as October 2022 under the caption “Forced Conversions: Christian Response to the Allegations." The editori.....
The Silence is deafening
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 08-Mar-2024
The year 2023 ended somewhat on an unpleasant note for the Catholic Church, as there was a huge controversy over Cardinals, Archbishops, and Bishops attending a Christmas gathering on an invitation extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Ch.....
A clarion call to Consecrated Men and Women
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 06-Feb-2024
Since 1997, the Catholic Church has commemorated World Day for Consecrated Life on every 2nd of February, an observation instituted by Saint Paul John II. On this day, the Church prays and encourages the world’s religious men and women to always be open t.....
Francis does it again
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 15-Dec-2023
In a papacy that spans a little less than a decade, Pope Francis has created some history by doing away with some of the Vatican’s pomp and privilege, at times at the cost of severe criticism from the conservatives who believe that the Catholic Church des.....
First among Equals
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 09-Nov-2023
Not long ago, one senior lay Catholic commented in a group, “I watched one Episcopal ordination video from Arunachal Pradesh, and the seats in front were occupied by all whites, both male and female. I am just pondering if the laypeople will get proper se.....
Could there be better News than this?
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 09-Oct-2023
When the idea of having the North East Catholic Research Forum (NECARF) was thrown to the North East India Regional Bishops Council (NEIRBC), there were speculations and apprehension among many bishops, perhaps wondering what such an organization could be.....
The Catholic Disconnect
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 15-Aug-2023
Since May 3, 2023, Manipur has seen unprecedented lawlessness, resulting in the murders of over a hundred individuals and the destruction of several homes and places of worship—an ethnic cleansing mayhem likened by many to the Hutu-Tutsi conflict in Rwand.....
Calming the Mind for a Healthy Body
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 04-Jul-2023
Calming the Mind for a Healthy Body We live in an era when life is always under pressure. As a result, tension, depression, anger, jealousy, and hatred are becoming increasingly the order of the day in people's lives, and not only have individuals become.....
Franco Fiasco and the Wisdom of Rome
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 02-Jun-2023
Franco Fiasco and the Wisdom of Rome In 2018, the Catholic Church in India was shocked and shamed when Franco Mulakkal, then Bishop of Jalandhar, was accused of raping a Nun and the news made headlines in India and beyond. For the people of God in India,.....
The Madness needs to be defeated
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 08-May-2023
As human beings, we experience tragedies of different kind – some through natural calamities, and many out of human errors and willful indulgences. Among them all, it is that willful indulgence that is dangerous for any society, because its deliberate aim.....
Demand for Delisting Christians from ST List
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 08-Apr-2023
It is disturbing to note that in recent times, verbal attacks and allegations of wrongdoing have significantly increased against the Christian community of the Northeast of India. Until some time ago, it was all about pointing fingers at them with the acc.....
Human Trafficking: The Invisible Crime against Humanity
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 06-Mar-2023
Human Trafficking: The Invisible Crime against Humanity It may at times sound absurd to some when they hear the term "human trafficking," because after all, human beings are thinking species; therefore, how could anyone smuggle them like animals? The rea.....
The Power of Words
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 12-Feb-2023
An organization of repute once reached out to 13 people to write articles on different contemporary topics for their annual publication. Being an important project, each writer was briefed carefully about the word count, deadline, editorial vetting of wor.....
A Spiritual Carnival at Jakhama
Opinion | Editorial | John S. Shilshi | 18-Jan-2023
Between 13th to 16th of January 2023, the Angami village of Jakhama - a village said to have been established by the brave warrior Viken-e - was bustling with a colourful congregation of people. They were not the usual adventurous campers, who normally tr.....