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Manipur, Archbishop of Imphal: ‘At Christmas God unites us beyond any tribe, language or culture’

“We are approaching Christmas” and “traditionally we look forward to this great celebration”, but “this year several parishes in our archdiocese will not be able to carry out Christmas liturgies or gather families and loved ones as happened in the past due to ethnic violence.” For this reason the Church invites us to “refrain from […]

India Christians welcome state election win by main Modi rival party

A senior Indian cardinal has welcomed a new state administration led by a party which represents the main rival to the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist BJP party, and which came to power in part on the basis on promises to respect minority rights. Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad congratulated A. […]

Nation acknowledges Christians’ contribution: Prime Minister

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the nation “proudly acknowledges the contribution of the Christian Community.” The prime minister said this while interacting with leaders of Christian community on the occasion of Christmas on December 25 at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, the official residence of the Prime Minister of India. The prime minister […]

Iran: Jailed Christians denied Christmas

In Iran, Christmas for some Christians is a dark cell, in one of the country’s most notorious prisons, held without charges, aware that they were locked away only for their faith with no prospect for indictment that would enable them to defend themselves, deprived of rights even more than their liberty. This is the case […]

Christmas of fear in Nepal due to growing anti-Christian hatred

Christians in Nepal have been advised to be on high alert during the Christmas period following a number of incidents of anti-Christian violence that have occurred in the country in recent months at the hands of Hindu extremist groups. “There is a sense of fear and insecurity rippling through the Christian community amid Christmas celebrations. […]

It’s ‘Bong Natal’ in Malaysia’s tiny Portuguese settlement

Come Christmas a tiny settlement on the Malacca coast turns into a wonderland. Thousands of visitors arrive in the evenings to look at the brightly lit streets and decorated homes in a Portuguese settlement, a 15-minute drive from the capital city of the coastal state in south-western Malaysia. Curtains of colourful, fairy lights flow along […]

Rebels take another city, Church alive ‘even in suffering’, says Loikaw bishop

Last week the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) captured Namhsan, a city in the northern Shan State. The TNLA is one of three ethnic militias that form the Three Brotherhood Alliance that launched an offensive against Myanmar’s military junta at the end of October. According to the militias, at least 650 regular soldiers surrendered, potentially […]

Jaranwala, a Christmas fair to restore hope for victims

Only 4 months ago in Jaranwala in Pakistan more than 900 Christian families were forced to flee and hide in the fields with women, elderly people and children to save their lives from the fury and burning of Islamic fundamentalists. The toll was hundreds of Christian homes burned and 21 churches attacked, of which 3 belonging to the […]