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Airport echoes with sobs and farewells in Hong Kong exodus

Twice a day Hong Kong’s virtually de-serted airport fills with the sound of tearful goodbyes as residents fearful for their future under China’s increa-singly authoritarian rule start a new life over-seas, mostly in Britain. London flights tend to leave in the afternoon and late evening, and for a few hours it briefly feels like the […]

Korean charity pledges help to Myanmar refugees

A South Korean priest-run charity is raising funds to provide tents and essential supplies to 300 refugees in Kayah state, a Catholic stronghold in eastern Myanmar. Korea Hope Founda-tion, a charity based in capital Seoul, has Father Choi Ki-sik as chairman of its board. The priest in Seoul Archdiocese has appeal-ed: “Let’s work together for a world […]

Japan prelate named secretary general of Asian bishops’ federation

Japanese Archbishop Tarci-sio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo has been appointed as the new Se-cretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. Archbishop Kikuchi replaced Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-Sang of Macau, who resigned from the post this month. The FABC announced the archbishops’ appointment in a letter sent to its member episcopal conferences on Thursday, […]

Bangladeshi Catholics celebrate the first local priest to take up a Vatican diplomatic post

Pope Francis appointed Fr Linku Lenard Gomes, 39, as Secretary to the Apostolic Nun-ciature in Panama on 1 July. The clergyman received the decision with a mixture of emo-tion and amazement. “Although I am not the most eligible, God chose me for his work. I will surely use my talents to perform my service in […]

Hong Kongers arrested for sedition over children’s books

Five members of a Hong Kong union behind a series of children’s books about sheep trying to hold back wolves from their village have been arrested for sedition, police announced on July 22. The arrests by the new national security police unit, which is spearheading a sweeping crackdown on dissent, are the latest action against […]

Vatican publishes schedule for papal trip to Hungary, Slovakia

Pope Francis’ September trip to Hungary and Slovakia features a jam-packed schedule that shows he has no intention of slowing down despite his recent recovery from colon surgery. The Vatican July 21 released the pope’s schedule for the trip Sept. 12-15, including the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest.” The Pope announced […]

Olympics, religion played a starring role

In the early days of the Olympics, religion played a starring role. Faith leaders had front-row seats to the events and many athletes dedicated their triumphs to the gods. “Even the prizes were religious — crowns of olive leaves made from trees in a sacred grove dedicated to Zeus,” Religion News Service reported in 2016. Religion still […]

‘Enough is enough’ of how Cuba treats its people, Bishop Cruz says at vigil

Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, a Cuban-American and an auxiliary of the Newark Archdiocese, told the congregation at a West New York Catholic church that “the hour has come to say ‘ENOUGH.’” “Our people, the Cuban people, helpless as they are, are being massacred by the tyranny of the Cuban regime. Today we say ‘enough is […]