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India is facing a firestorm over ruling party officials’ comments about Islam. Here’s what you need to know

India is trying to contain the diplomatic fallout as outrage grows in the Muslim world following derogatory comments made by ruling party officials about the Prophet Mohammed. The United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Oman, and Iraq are among at least 15 Muslim-majority nations to have condemned the remarks, which were described as “Islamophobic,” with several countries […]

Thailand just decriminalized cannabis. But you still can’t smoke joints, minister says

On June 9 Thailand  became the first country in Asia to decriminalize cannabis — but tough penalties will still apply to those who use the drug to get high, according to the minister who spearheaded the change. Speaking to CNN in an interview ahead of the move, Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he expected […]

One-on-one with priest leads Japanese atheist to baptism

Kazuhiro Sasahara met the priest suggested by his Catholic wife, a member of Kitami Church on Japan’s island of Hokkaido One-on-one with priest leads Japanese atheist to baptism Kazuhiro Sasahara was born into a family of the Buddhist Jodo Shinshu sect but considered him-self an atheist. Because his wife, whom he met as a student, […]

Rights supporters urge authorities not to arrest activist Sri Lankan nun

Activists called on Sri Lankan authorities not to arrest an activist nun who has supported anti-government pro-testers. Sister Mary Sonali of the Congregation of the Apostolic Carmel was summoned by police June 7 to record a statement about an arson attack. Shehan Malaka Gamage, a social activist and national convener of the Coalition of Catholic […]

Synod: the place of women, the liturgy and Church governance

France has published its first synthesis of what Catholics who participated in the synodal process believe should be top priorities for their Church “It is not only a question of women exercising much more responsibility in leadership, which must be done. Their place is also expected at the heart of sacramental life,” the document notes. […]

Muslim-majority Indonesia eager to welcome pope

Indonesia has officially invited Pope Francis to visit the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. Country’s Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas met Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday and deli-vered the invitation letter on be-half of President Joko Widodo. Archbishop Yohanes Harun Yuwono, chairman of the Indonesian bishops’ Commission for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, said […]

The Catholic Church in Chile has lost all credibility

When running an errand in the centre of Santiago, the capital of Chile, Gina always stops at the Catholic cathedral. She 67-year-old stays there for about 20 minutes, thanking the Lord for her health and entrusting her son who lives far away. She also prays every night at home. But she has not been to […]

$2M relic stolen, angel statue beheaded at Brooklyn church

Police say someone busted into the altar at a New York City church, stole a $2 million gold relic and removed the head from a statue of an angel at some point late last week. The incident happened between 6:30 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. on May 26th at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, known as […]