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India’s first Dalit cardinal opens path for egalitarian Church

 On Aug. 27, Pope Francis will create 21 new cardinals at a consistory at the Vatican. The new cardinals include the first Indian cardinal from the socially poor Dalit community – Archbishop Anthony Poola of Hyderabad. His appointment is seen as historical as it recognizes the Dalit Christian community, which continues to suffer caste discrimination within the Catholic Church.