Asian

Plight of Israel’s Christians neglected in Jewish-Muslim conflict

Israel’s Christian population is fast dwindling while those of Jews and Muslims continue to grow, giving credence to the fears that a plan to expel Christians is underway in the Jewish state. The growth rate of Christians in Israel is much slower than those of Jews and Muslims. In 1949, when Israel was recognized as […]

Priest’s killing signals return of fear for Pakistani Christians

The daylight attack by motor-cycle-riding gunmen on two Christian priests, killing one and wounding another, has reignited fears among Pakistan’s beleaguered minority community. The priests were attacked as they drove home from a Sunday service in the north-western city of Peshawar on Jan. 30, “We want to convey a positive message. We stand in solidarity […]

Pakistan’s top court rejects petition to increase minority seats

Pakistan’s top court has dis-missed a plea by a Christian group seeking an increase in the seats reserved for religious minorities in the national and provincial assemblies. A two-judge bench of the Supreme Court on Feb. 7 rejected the petition on the grounds that the constitutional amendment was required to increase minority representation. The highest […]

Myanmar bishops appeal for humanitarian assistance

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Myanmar has issued a statement last week calling for humanitarian assistance to thou-sands of people who have been displaced by the ongoing conflict in the country. In a letter of appeal released on Jan. 14, the Church leaders called on “all concerned” to facilitate “humanitarian access to suffering and internally […]

Vatican official launches nunciature in Abu Dhabi

The opening of a new apostolic nunciature in the United Arab Emirates is a testament to fraternity and goodwill between Muslims and Christians, said Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony in Abu Dhabi Feb. 4, Archbishop Peña, the substitute secretary for general affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, said the new […]

Dozens of Chinese warplanes fly near Taiwan after US-Japan show of naval might

Hong Kong (CNN) China sent 39 war-planes into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ) on January 24, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry said, the largest such incursion this year. The flights by the People’s Liberation Army aircraft came a day after the United States and Japanese navies put on a massive show of force in the Philippine […]

Bangladeshis of all creeds welcome Holy Cross school

A missionary-run school and college in Rajshahi city launched more than 30 years after the establishment of the Catholic diocese is committed to imparting human values as well as offering a solid academic education to Bangladeshi students. Holy Cross Brothers, well known for their education apostolate, officially started their new ministry in Rajshahi on Jan. 18 with […]

Laotian Catholics honour first lay martyr with new church

Catholic faithful in Laos joined clergy and religious to celebrate the dedication of a new church to the first layman from the ethnic Hmong community who was martyred for his faith six decades ago. The church was dedicated to Blessed Paul Thoj Xyooj at Ban Nam Gnam village in Thulakhom district of Vientiane province, reported […]

Eviction-facing Indian Catholics to fight Muslim charity’s claims

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica