Order founded by Mother Teresa 'looking into' baby trafficking charges

The Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic order founded by Mother Teresa in India, said it was 'carefully looking into' charges of baby trafficking levelled against a nun and a worker at one of its homes.

Indian authorities sealed a home which provides shelter for pregnant unmarried women run by the charity in eastern Jharkhand state on Thursday and charged a nun and a worker there with baby trafficking.

'It is a horrible story....we are all shocked. It is against our moral conviction,' Missionaries of Charity spokeswoman Sunita Kumar told Reuters.

The arrests were made after the state's Child Welfare Committee registered a complaint that the women sold an infant born to an unwed mother at the Nirmal Hriday shelter in the state capital, Ranchi, to a childless couple.

Nirmal Hriday means 'pure heart' in Hindi.

There have been a number of reports of babies and children being trafficked through charity-run homes and hospitals in India, which campaigners say is driven by a long waiting list for adoption.

The Missionaries of Charity stopped organising adoptions in India in 2015 saying they disagreed with government rules that made it easier for single, divorced, and separated people to adopt children.

News
US criticises prosecution of pro-life campaigner over silent prayer near abortion clinic
US criticises prosecution of pro-life campaigner over silent prayer near abortion clinic

The US State Department has said it is closely monitoring the prosecution of a Christian woman who prayed silently in an abortion clinic buffer zone. 

Over £900,000 awarded to help UK churches stay open amid growing funding pressures
Over £900,000 awarded to help UK churches stay open amid growing funding pressures

Hundreds of churches across the UK are receiving vital financial support to remain open and safe, as rising repair costs and shrinking funding streams place historic buildings under increasing strain.

How to make the most of the quiet period between Christmas and New Year
How to make the most of the quiet period between Christmas and New Year

Make the most of these last days of the year to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with God.

US carries out strikes on Islamic State in Nigeria over violence against Christians
US carries out strikes on Islamic State in Nigeria over violence against Christians

The US military has conducted airstrikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Nigeria over the violent "targeting" of Christians.