In a rare and humbling move, Bishop Paskalis Bruno Syukur of Bogor, Indonesia, has declined the honour of being elevated to cardinal in the upcoming Consistory on December 7, 2024. The Franciscan bishop’s decision to forego this prestigious role stems from his deep desire to continue growing in his personal priesthood and to further serve the Church and the people of God. As a result, the number of new cardinals set to receive their red hats from Pope Francis has been reduced from 21 to 20. The Vatican’s Press Office, headed by Matteo Bruni, confirmed the news in a statement: “His Excellency Paskalis Bruno Syukur, Bishop of Bogor, Indonesia, has asked the Holy Father not to be made cardinal during the upcoming Consistory. His Excellency’s request is motivated by his wish to grow further in his priestly life, in his service to the Church and the people of God.”
This decision has sparked interest and admiration within the Catholic world, not only because of its rarity but also because it reflects a profound sense of humility and dedication to spiritual growth—a testament to Bishop Syukur’s Franciscan values.
The 62-year-old Franciscan was consecrated bishop of Bogor, a diocese just south of Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta, in February 2014. From 2001–2009, Syukur was the Franciscan provincial minister of Indonesia. In 2009, he became the general delegate for the Asia and Oceania region, which includes India, Pakistan, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. The bishop has also held leadership positions in the Indonesian bishops’ conference.
With Syukur’s withdrawal, as of Dec. 7, the total number of eligible cardinal electors will be 140, 110 of whom were chosen by Pope Francis. This means the current pontiff has named 79% of the men who will one day elect his successor.

Sr. Minerva Caampued of the Franciscan Apostolic Sisters was recognized for her dedi-cated service to the Indigenous people of Sta. Ana town, where she has worked to preserve their heritage while promoting edu-cation and sustainable liveli-hoods. The award, established in 1983 by the AY Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Yuchen-gco Group of Companies, and the Manila Jaycees, celebrates outstanding individuals whose selfless service reflects the charitable legacy of Mother Teresa. Sr. Minerva was honoured during a cere-mony on October 4, a significant date as the count-ry marks Indigenous Peoples’ Month.
The awarding organizations praised Sr. Minerva’s comprehensive efforts in uplifting Agta’s quality of life through various initiatives, according to a report by CBCP News. ”She remains a shining example of compassion, inspiring hope, and trans-formation–elevating lives through selfless service,” the organization said. Her programs encompass education, environmental protection, hea-lthcare, and feeding initiatives, with the goal of addressing the marginalization faced by the Indigenous community.
In her message, Sr. Minerva shared her gratitude, dedicating the recognition to the Agta people. “I am not called to be successful, but to be faithful,” she said.
“I dedicate it to the Agta communities, who continue to face the challenges of defending their ancestral domain, asserting their rights, and preserving their rich cultural heritage amidst marginalization,” she said. “Their strength and resilience are a constant source of inspiration to me. This award is not mine alone, but a tribute to their unwavering spirit,” the sister added.
Sr. Minerva emphasized the persistent challenges that indigenous communities in the Philippines encounter, particularly the struggle to protect their ancestral lands from external threats.

In the appointment of 21 new cardinals announced by Pope Francis on October 6, there is also an absolute novelty for Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, and one that has caused great ‘surprise’ among the faithful and within the local Church: after the three cardinals originally from the province of Central Java and all linked to the diocese of Semarang, in fact, the pontiff has chosen the bishop of the diocese of Bogor (in the province of West Java) Msgr. Paskalis Bruno Syukur (Ofm), a Franciscan from Flores Island, historically the heart of the Catholic presence in Indonesia.
In the aftermath of the appoint-ment, mixed reactions emerged among Indonesian Catholics: surprise and joy for the archipelago’s new cardinal, but also a certain ‘concern’ because there is a strong fear in Bogor that he might be transferred to another post after the purple.
‘I am personally ‘shocked’ to learn the news that our bishop will become a new cardinal next December, as there had not been any ‘hint’ previously,’ an elderly priest from Bogor points out to AsiaNews. ‘I hope that my bishop will not be transferred to another diocese that is still vacant,’ adds a former seminarian from the area.
To date, Indonesia has had four cardinals, three of them from the Central Java province and of Javanese ethnicity, with deep ties to Semarang: they are the late First Cardinal Justinus Darmojuwono, a priest of the Semarang archdiocese; Card. Julius Darmaatmadja, a Jesuit and head of the order’s Indonesian province before being chosen as bishop of Semarang in 1993 and later transferred to Jakarta; a similar story for Card. Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, archbishop of Semarang, later called to lead the archdiocese of Jakarta. Unlike his predecessors, as mentioned above, the new cardinal is originally from the island of Flores and from the local ethnic group.

The news of the appointment as Cardinal of Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan, one of the smallest dioceses in the Philippines, was greeted with great joy by lay people, priests and bishops. As announced yesterday after the Marian Angelus prayer, Msgr. David – who is 65 years old and has been the president of the Philippine Bishops’ Conference since 2021 – will receive the purple on 8 December, together with 20 other new cardinals.
A priest since 1983 for the diocese of San Fernando, of which he was also auxiliary bishop, and since 2015 at the head of the diocese of Kalookan in the immense metropolitan area of Manila, Msgr David is a highly respected voice in the Philippine Church, for his courageous stance against social injustice, but he is also known outside the country holding the position of vice-president of the Fabc, the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.
A staunch advocate of human rights, ‘Bishop Ambo’ – as people affectionately call him – has worked tirelessly with the poor and marginalised, particularly in addressing the pressing issues of poverty and inequality in the Philippines. His pastoral leadership has made him a central figure in upholding the dignity of those who are most vulnerable in society.
Agnes Brazal, theologian and lecturer, comments: ‘David is a good theologian and administrator, as well as a courageous voice for the victims of extrajudicial killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Indeed, Kalookan was one of the areas most affected by the Philippine government’s bloody anti-drug campaign. During those years, Bishop David courageously used his position to speak out against acts of violence, upholding the rights of the weak and the sanctity of life. ‘Lord, my life is in your hands,’ Bishop David often repeats in his prayer, and it is the attitude with which he is also preparing to begin this new service to the universal Church. As of 8 December, he will become the tenth cardinal in the history of the Catholic Church in the Philippines, joining two other current Philippine cardinal electors: Pro-Prefect of the Department of Evangelisation Luis Antonio Tagle and Archbishop of Manila Jose Advincula.

A church of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Tyre, Lebanon, was hit by a missile from Israeli airstrikes in the country’s south Oct. 9, killing at least eight people, the British branch of the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has reported.
Local sources told ACN that the church, located in the town of Derdghaya, was sheltering people displaced by the conflict. A priest’s house and a three-story building housing parish offices were also completely destroyed by another missile.
Pope Francis called for peace in the Middle East on X, stating that “all nations have the right to exist in peace and security: Their territories must not be attacked, their sovereignty must be respected and guaranteed through dialogue and peace.” In an additional post on Oct. 11, the pontiff said: “I call for an immediate cease-fire on all fronts of the war in the Middle East, including Lebanon. Let us pray together for the Lebanese, especially for the inhabitants of the south forced to leave their villages, so that they can return as soon as possible and live in peace.”

“The mission today is an exchange of gifts between Churches, between those who have and those who have not,” the prelate said in his address. “Before, it was from West to East, now many countries in Asia and Africa give missionaries to the world. The very concept of periphery is changing, and even Europe today is becoming a periphery” said Archbishop Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo on October 8th briefing on the work of the Synod underway in the Vatican. In addition to the Archdiocese of Tokyo, the 65-year-old Kikuchi has chaired Caritas Internationalis since last year.
Pope Francis “has just come to our continent where he has visited many countries,” he said, stressing how the pontiff looks with particular attention to Asia. “He has chosen three more bishops from Asian dioceses among the new cardinals. More generally, the centre of the Church’s mission is moving towards the Global South.” On the experience of synodality, the prelate explained that the Japanese Church is focusing “more on its foundations than on the rush to build.” “We met with priests, religious and lay people for the National Congress of our 15 dioceses. We practised together the method of conversation in the Spirit. We also need a common understanding of synodality,” which “is not basing everything on consensus. Common discernment must indicate the direction, then someone has the task of making decisions.”
Archbishop Kikuchi had already written on his appointment as a cardinal in a message sent to his diocese and to all his friends. “This appointment is not just a personal honour for me, but a great honour for the Church in Japan, and especially for the Tokyo Archdiocese, and also for Caritas Inter-nationalis,” he said.
“I was surprised. It had been a long time since I was so shocked from the bottom of my heart. And I was confused. When I think about the fact that being a cardinal is not just an honorary position, but that there are many roles to play as an advisor to the Pope, I can only see my own shortcomings.”
Finally, the archbishop of Tokyo, who is also secretary general of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), mentioned the presence of Philippine Bishop Pablo David among the new cardinals. He “will be the next FABC vice president (in January 2025 alongside the new president, Card Felipe Neri Ferrao, archbishop of Goa). I believe this appointment will have great significance for the FABC.”

In a powerful gesture of unity and hope, the Korean Catholic commu-nity has introduced a new mosaic of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing their enduring plea for peace across the globe. The mosaic, titled “Our Lady of Korean Peace”, was blessed in the Vatican Gardens on September 20, a date that holds profound significance as the Church commemorates the martyrdom of Saint Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Korea’s first priest, and his companions. The installation serves as both a tribute to these martyrs and a call for reconciliation in today’s turbulent world.
The mosaic’s imagery is rich with symbolism. The Virgin Mary, dressed in a traditional Korean “hanbok”, stands as a figure of maternal care and divine protection. Her red top represents divine motherhood, while her turquoise skirt reflects peace. She cradles the Child Jesus, who is dressed in colorful attire, symbolizing the youth of Korea, and holds a globe in his hand, signifying his dominion over the world. The Virgin also clutches a rosary and stands triumphant over a serpent, symbolizing her victory over evil. Above, the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove carries an olive branch, underscoring the ever-urgent plea for peace in regions stricken by conflict, such as Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Korean Peninsula.

In a stunning display of faith and craftsmanship, Indonesia has unveiled the world’s tallest statue of Jesus Christ, rising majesti-cally above Sibeabea Hill in North Sumatra. Towering at 61 meters, the “Jesus Christ the Saviour” statue now stands as a new global landmark, surpassing Rio de Janeiro’s famous “Christ the Redeemer” by over 20 me-ters. This monumental structure overlooks the scenic Toba Lake in Samosir Regency, blending natural beauty with spiritual significance.
The statue was officially inaugurated on September 19 by Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunja-min, President of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, in a cere-mony that drew both local and international attention. Just weeks before, on September 6, Pope Francis himself blessed a minia-ture version of the statue during a special event at the Vatican embassy in Jakarta. The Pope also signed a prayer plate that now sits at the base of the tower-ing statue, echoing his words: “What is admired about Jesus the Saviour is his infinite love.”
The unveiling of this statue is more than a ceremonial act—it is a testament to Indonesia’s co-mmitment to interfaith harmony, despite being a predominantly Muslim nation. In this spirit, the statue serves as a symbol of inclusivity and a beacon for all who seek solace and spiritual reflection.
Bishop Bunjamin re-marked during the inauguration, “This is a hill blessed by God, expected to be a place where people’s faith can grow stronger.” Located in an area of Indonesia with a significant Christian population, North Sumatra is home to more than a million Catholics and over four million Protestants, according to the Central Statistics Agency. The statue thus holds deep meaning for the region’s Christian community, who now have a monumental representation of their faith that also draws thousands of tourists and pilgrims each year.

Shagufta Kiran, a 40-year-old Pakistani Christian woman, has been found guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to death under Article 295-C of Pakistan’s Penal Code, which punishes offences against the Prophet Muhammad.
The charge stems from a message shared on the social media platform WhatsApp. According to Fides News Agency, Kiran’s lawyer, Rana Abdul Hameed, reported that the judgment was handed down by a lower court judge in Islamabad, under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Along with the death sentence, Kiran has been fined 300,000 rupees (approximately 1,000 US dollars) following a legal process that lasted three years.
Her defence team argued that Kiran was not the author of the offensive content but had simply forwarded it in a group chat without reading it, yet this defence was insufficient to prevent her conviction.
Shagufta Kiran, who is a wife and mother to four children, was arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on July 29, 2021, in Islamabad for sharing blasphemous content in a WhatsApp group in September 2020. She is currently being held in the Central Adyalaa prison in Rawalpindi, where she will remain until her sentence is carried out.
Her lawyer has announced plans to appeal the decision to the Islamabad High Court. He emphasized that “the person who originally wrote the incriminating message is still free, while the one who merely shared it without endorsing it is condemned.” There is a strong belief that Shagufta has been targeted because she is Christian, making her an easy and vulnerable scapegoat.
In Pakistan, there is an increased focus on monitoring potential blasphemy offences online, with Islamic organizations viewing such actions as a growing threat that must be met with the harshest penalties. FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing is tasked with monitoring and reporting online content deemed blasphemous, leading to further police action.

During a meeting at the Archbishop’s House in Colombo on September 23, Card. Ranjith congratulated President Dissana-yake on his electoral victory. He emphasized the significant res-ponsibilities awaiting the new president, particularly in addre-ssing the challenges faced by the nation. He offered the President his blessings and full support for the tasks ahead and stressed the importance of prioritizing the welfare of the impoverished seg-ments of society.
In response to a query from the press, Cardinal Ranjith high-lighted President Dissanayake’s pledge to thoroughly investigate the Easter attacks, ensuring that the truth would be uncovered and justice served.
President Dissanayake’s day continued with visits to other reli-gious landmarks, including the Dawatagaha Mosque in Colom-bo, where he participated in cere-monies and received further ble-ssings. Sri Lanka’s new leader assumed the presidency on Mon-day, ushering in promises of change for a nation that has been predominantly ruled by powerful political dynasties and is currently recovering from its most severe economic crisis in over seventy years.
Millions cast their votes for Dissanayake, an opposition parliamentarian, drawn by his commitment to combat corruption and support the country’s tenuous economic revival.
During his inaugural address at the president’s office, Dissanayake, aged 55, pledged his dedication to protecting and promoting democracy, acknowledging the challenging times ahead. “Our politics needs to be cleaner, and the people have demanded a different political culture,” he said. “I am ready to commit to that change.”