Asian

Pakistani youth who gave his life to prevent terrorist attack is symbol of Christian unity

During this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, a group of believers from different Christian denominations made a pilgrimage to the tomb of Akash Bashir, the young Pakistani Salesian who sacrificed his life in 2015 to prevent a terrorist attack at his church. In Pakistan, a traditionally Islamic nation, everyone considers Servant of God […]

Black Nazarene procession attracts millions in the Philippines

The Black Nazarene procession in Manila, Philippines, which annually attracts one of the world’s largest crowds for a reli-gious devotion, attracted hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic pilgrims on Jan. 9. Taking place each year in January, the procession, known locally as “Traslacion,” sees devotees carry across Manila a replica of a famous life-size statue of Jesus carrying a black […]

Syria’s Christians voice relief, seek further security guarantees after political shift

More than a month after Syria’s political shift, Christians there are vocalizing a sense of relief as initial assurances for their safety and security by the de facto government have report-edly been provided. Christians continue to seek more concrete guarantees, although opinions differ on what form these guara-ntees should take. For some Christians, the Church […]

China’s oldest priest dies at 104: a life of faith amid 25 years of persecution

China’s oldest priest has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of brave adherence to the faith of the Catholic Church in the face of persecution. Father Joseph Guo Fude, SVD, died on Dec. 30, 2024, two months from what would have been his 105th birthday. He was one of the few remaining Catholic priests in China […]

One step closer to sainthood: Thailand honours its blessed martyrs

Before the Eucharistic celebration comme-morating the Feast of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kritbamrung in Samphran, west of Bangkok, on January 12, the Apostolic Nuncio to Thailand, Archbishop Peter Bryan Wells, presented relics of the eight martyrs to Archbishop-elect Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bangkok and to six bishops and representatives from its […]

New church in Jordan reflects national desire for closer ties with Christendom

The Jan. 10 inauguration of a vast church on the very spot where Jesus Christ was baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River was an event of significant symbolic importance, both spiritually and diplomatically. It also reflected the Hashemite kingdom’s determination to establish itself as an essential stop-off point for pilgrims to […]

From Shanghai to Filipino prisons the Churches of Asia open the Jubilee

All the dioceses of the world are now experiencing the local opening of the Holy Year 2025, which by the will of Pope Francis has as its theme “Pilgrims of hope”. The celebration is also involving many Churches in Asia with significant gestures. In Shanghai, the opening Mass of the Holy Year was presided over […]

Cardinal Bo bids farewell: ‘We have forged a legacy’

Myanmar’s Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has issued a farewell message as he concludes his second three-year term as the President of the Federation of the Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), saying he is “filled with profound gratitude and humility.” “Our journey together,” he reflected, “has been one of profound growth, learning, and shared commitment […]

Salesians elect Maltese priest Fabio Attard as Don Bosco’s 11th successor

Pope Francis does not accept Cardinal Koch’s resignation: could continue at least until anniversary of Council of Nicea