Login      Register  
Subscription

China largely silent on Pope Francis’ death amid global tributes

High-ranking heads of state and Catholic bishops in China have remained notably silent following the death of Pope Francis, while reactions from political and religious leaders across the globe poured out on social media within hours of the pope’s passing on Monday morning. AsiaNews reported on April 22 that Chinese officials are not permitted to […]

Philippines makes history as first nation to consecrate itself to divine mercy

The Philippines made history this year on April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday, by becoming the first nation in the world to consecrate itself entirely to Jesus through divine mercy. In 2016 at the Pan-African Congress on Divine Mercy Sunday in Rwanda, bishops in Africa consecrated the continent itself to divine mercy. However, the Philippines is […]

Cardinal Bo: ‘Pope Francis had profound respect for people of Asia’

“Pope Francis related to all, with the broken, the forgotten, and the earth itself. He made room in his heart for those the world pushed aside. And so now, as the world mourns him, we feel the sorrow that always follows great love.” In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, Archbishop […]

Father Sahaya Thatheus Appointed Bishop of Simla- Chandigarh

Pope Francis has appointed Father Sahaya Thatheus Thomas (54), Rector of Holy Trinity Major Seminary, Jalandhar, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Simla-Chandigarh. The announcement was made on Saturday, 12 April 2025. At the same time, the Holy Father accepted the resignation of Bishop Ignatius Loyola Ivan Mascarenhas (75), who has led the […]

Bishop Ignatius Mascarenhas Retires After 16 Years of Episcopal Ministry

Bangalore: Bi-shop Ignatius Loyo-la Ivan Mascarenhas (75), Bishop of Si-mla-Chandigarh, retired on 12 April 2025, marking the end of a 16-year episcopal ministry that began on April 3, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Simla-Chandigarh on February 10, 2009. He was ordained on April 3, 2009. Over the next 16 years, he led […]

Fr. Sonatan Kisku Appointed as Auxiliary Bishop of Dumka

Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Sonatan Kisku, aged 56, as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Du-mka in Jharkhand. The announcement was made on Satur-day, 12 April 2025. Fr. Kisku is currently serving as the Vicar General of Dumka and the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church, Dumka. Fr. Sonatan Kisku was born on […]

Karnataka bishops appoint first woman official

The Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council has created history by appointing two laypeople to head its co-mmission for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes. Arch-bishop Peter Machado of Ban-galore, the council president, on April 7 announced the appointment of Isabella Selvaraj Xavier as the commi-ssion’s joint secretary, the first woman to hold the post. […]

Indian Salesian priest who championed Dalit rights dies

Father Arul Valan, a Salesian priest who led a movement for the rights of a Dalit or former untouchable community in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, has died at 54. Valan, who co-founded the Thurumbar Liberation Movement along with Sister Alphonsa, died of a heart attack on April 8, Radio Veritas Asia (RVA) […]