Catholic bishops’ health official is urging parishes nationwide to enforce smoke-free and vape-free rules out of respect for sacred space and concern for public health.

Several parishes in the Philippines have begun enforcing smoke-free and vape-free policies on church grounds, citing both the sacredness of the premises and the health of parishioners.

“I support the smoke-free and vape-free policies in church premises for the good of all,” Maria Christina Jomen, a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Parish in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental, told. “Having a healthy environment is a responsibility for all, especially in places of worship.”

This particular church, some 755.89 kilometers (469.69 miles) south of Manila, is among the parishes implementing the smoke-free policy in response to health initiatives from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) in collaboration with local governments. The executive secretary of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Health Care, Camillian Father Dan Vicente Cancino Jr., issued a statement directing parishes nationwide to adhere to smoking bans as a sign of respect for sacred spaces. The Department of Health later circulated a video message from Cancino on its platforms.

Cancino said tobacco use leads to preventable disease, premature death, and suffering, and called on all parishes to strictly enforce smoke-free and vape-free policies. The bishops’ conference has voiced alarm at the prevalence of smoking and vaping among Filipinos, particularly among the young. “This initiative is in accordance with our existing laws, and the move is also out of respect for the sacred and concern for community health,” the priest said, noting that smoking in public places such as churches endangers both individual and community health. “These habits pose serious threats to both individuals and the community. I hope that all our parishes and communities strictly enforce smoke-free and vape-free policies in accordance with existing laws”.

The National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Parañaque City, Manila, has enforced a no-smoking policy on its premises since 2015, partly in response to Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for creation, Laudato si. Other parishes have moved in step with municipal anti-smoking ordinances in cities including Baguio, Davao, Balanga, and Iloilo, pairing health-conscious campaigns with what Church officials describe as “green” initiatives to protect public health and the environment.

According to the World Health Organization’s 2025 Global Report on Trends in Prevalence of Tobacco Use, roughly 1 in 5 Filipino adults – about 19.7% of those aged 15 and over – currently smoke, with the rate among men (35.6%) more than eight times higher than among women (4.2%).

The 2021 Philippines Global Adult Tobacco Survey, conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Department of Health with WHO support, similarly found that 18.5% of Filipino adults currently smoke tobacco. WHO estimates that smoking causes roughly 88,000 deaths in the Philippines each year?

Data from the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology indicate that 4.8% of Filipinos aged 10 to 19 smoked in 2023, up from 2.3% in 2021. The World Health Organization has reported that, globally, children aged 13 to 15 are using e-cigarettes at higher rates than adults. The Philippine Department of Health has urged the public to reject vaping products, warning they are not a safer alternative to cigarettes and citing the rising trend of nicotine use among young Filipinos (EWTN News)

On March 20, 2026, the Adoratrices Sisters (Handmaids of the Blessed Sacrament and of Charity) reached a significant milestone with the inauguration of their new permanent home in Phnom Penh. The blessing ceremony was led by Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Apostolic Vicar of Phnom Penh, and Coadjutor Bishop Pierre Suon Hangly, joined by local authorities and international guests. This new facility represents the culmination of a vision that began when the Sisters first arrived in Cambodia in 2002.

Since 2007, the Sisters have operated the “Renacer: Walk with Women” program, initially in Siem Reap and later in rented spaces in Phnom Penh. Their mission focuses on providing sanctuary for survivors of violence, abandoned pregnant women, and those seeking to exit the sex trade. Bishop Pierre Suon Hangly emphasized that the home is a vital foundation for helping marginalized women and children rediscover their self-worth and reintegrate into society. The center will provide essential services, including psychological counseling and education.

Sr. Pilar Casas Navarro, Superior General of the Adoratrices, highlighted the intentional design of the residence, which features glass walls to symbolize openness and the “rebirth” (Renacer) of the residents’ hearts. She affirmed that the Sisters are driven by a mission to love and serve rather than just manage a project. This permanent home is described as a “dream come true,” offering a familial environment where the vulnerable can finally reclaim their dignity and find hope for a new life.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), through its Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI), has issued an urgent appeal for intensified prayers and pastoral support for Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) caught in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Commission Chairman Bishop Mesiona highlighted that ordinary civilians and vulnerable workers are bearing the heaviest burden of this “protracted conflict,” which has left many Filipinos in dire straits, separated from their families and facing profound uncertainty.

While the Church commended the Philippine government and the Department of Migrant Workers for their relief efforts, Bishop Mesiona emphasized the unique role of the Church in providing essential moral and spiritual accompaniment. He specifically called upon diocesan migrant offices to mobilize their resources, monitor the well-being of OFW families within their jurisdictions, and extend concrete pastoral care.

Beyond social action, the CBCP is urging a unified spiritual response, requesting that bishops organize special prayers for peace at both diocesan and parish levels. This appeal underscores the Church’s commitment to embodying compassion and solidarity during geopolitical crises. As thousands of Filipinos remain vulnerable to regional tensions, the CBCP maintains that the safety, dignity, and well-being of these migrant communities must remain a priority for both Church and State through sustained prayer and collaborative action.

Indonesia has become the latest nation to block children under 16 from social media, following pioneering bans in Australia and Malaysia. This regional crackdown aims to protect underdeveloped minds from online abuse, pornography, and addictive algorithms. Communications Minister Meutya Hafid emphasizes that the government is intervening so parents no longer face the “giants of algorithm-driven platforms” alone.

Proponents argue these controls are vital for safeguarding teen mental health and preventing cyber-bullying. However, the movement remains controversial. Critics warn that such bans may drive minors toward unregulated “darker” corners of the web, compromise privacy through age-verification, and hinder digital literacy. While Australia reports millions of closed accounts, the efficacy of these measures remains debated as teens find ways to bypass restrictions.

Despite these challenges, global momentum is growing. Health experts like Jane Rowan note that widespread change requires international cooperation, with the UK and other nations considering similar age limits. Some countries have even moved to fine parents for non-compliance. Ultimately, the initiative reflects a shifting global landscape where governments are increasingly prioritizing child safety over the unrestricted reach of tech companies.

In a recent message to the VI Assembly of the Ecclesial Conference of Amazonia (CEAMA) in Bogotá, Pope Leo XIV posed a radical question inspired by the prophet Isaiah: “Something new is being born—can you not see it?” Amidst a global landscape defined by relentless news cycles, unresolved wars, and cascading crises, the Pope challenges us to shift our perspective to notice the fragile but real signs of emerging life.

Aligning himself with Pope Francis’ Querida Amazonia, Leo XIV describes the Amazon as a wounded yet resilient mirror reflecting our relationship with the earth and the future. He utilizes the striking imagery of the shihuahuaco tree—the jungle giant that grows with imperceptible slowness to become a thousand-year-old ecosystem. This serves as an invitation to abandon the obsession with immediacy and embrace long-term processes of patience and care.

Central to this message is the responsibility to “safeguard” creation and respect life in all its forms. The Pope envisions the Church as a sanctuary of “unity in diversity,” offering a refuge that protects rather than consumes. By focusing on what is coming into existence rather than what is ending, Leo XIV offers a defiant vision against contemporary fear and division. Ultimately, he leaves us with a profound inquiry: are we still capable of recognizing the quiet, holy growth occurring right in our midst?

Cambodia faces a severe and largely unregulated alcohol crisis, according to experts from the Cambodian People Centre for Development and Peace and Caritas. Yong Kim Eng and Father Conroy highlight a troubling lack of oversight, noting there is no minimum legal drinking age and no license required to sell alcohol. This accessibility allows consumption to permeate even sacred spaces like monasteries and affects children as young as thirteen.

The consequences are devastating and multifaceted. Alcohol serves as a primary driver of domestic violence and acts as a “gateway” to drug use and gang involvement, leading to school dropouts and fractured families. Father Conroy also emphasizes the cyclical link between alcohol abuse and mental illness. In rural areas, the lack of formal rehabilitation often leads to the archaic and inhumane practice of chaining individuals suffering from alcohol-induced psychosis.

Three systemic factors drive this normalization. First, exceptionally low taxation makes beer—costing as little as 45 cents—cheaper than or equal to the price of soft drinks. In contrast, neighboring countries like Vietnam and Singapore impose significantly higher levies. Second, aggressive marketing dominates the landscape; alcohol advertisements featuring celebrities and prize promotions frequently air during prime time and appear near schools. Finally, the sheer availability of alcohol without legal age restrictions encourages early onset drinking.

Data from the World Health Organization and national health surveys confirm the scale of the problem, revealing that over 30% of drinkers are aged 15 to 18, and 70% of men consume alcohol. Despite these alarming statistics and the clear barriers alcohol poses to education and social stability, regulation remains absent from the government’s immediate agenda. Both experts argue that the current trajectory treats alcohol as a standard social norm rather than a public health emergency, leaving vulnerable populations without the necessary legal protections or medical support.

A senior Catholic leader in Asia has warned powerful nations not to ask others to show restraint while continuing to maintain huge nuclear arsenals. Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, vice president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, said such actions weaken global efforts for peace.

Speaking about rising international tensions, the cardinal said it is wrong for powerful countries to preach disarmament while keeping the ability to destroy the world. “That is not disarmament. That is intimidation,” he said. The Church leader heads the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan in the Philippines.

His comments come as conflicts in the Middle East continue to raise global concerns. Reports say that fighting involving Iran and attacks by the United States and Israel have caused heavy damage and civilian deaths. Iranian authorities say more than 1,300 civilians have died and thousands of civilian sites have been bombed.

The cardinal warned that the international system becomes weaker when powerful nations ignore the rules they expect others to follow. He pointed to agreements such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which was created to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and encourage gradual disarmament.

Despite such agreements, thousands of nuclear warheads still exist in the world. Experts say more than 9,600 nuclear weapons remain in active military stockpiles. Major nuclear powers include the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea.

Church leaders continue to urge global powers to work seriously toward peace and nuclear disarmament.

Catholics in Jeju have started a unique initiative called “Dice for Peace” to encourage people to practice love and peace in their daily lives. The program was introduced by the Jeju Diocese, which has distributed special dice to parishes across the island since the end of February.

During Sunday Mass, a member of the community rolls the dice to choose a weekly action phrase. Instead of numbers, each side of the dice carries a short message inspired by the Gospel. These include phrases such as “Let’s love one another,” “Let’s forgive mistakes,” “Let’s listen to others,” “Let’s love everyone,” “Let’s love first,” and “Let’s love the person next to me now.”

After the phrase is chosen, the congregation promises to live according to that message during the week. The community then sings the phrase together and reflects on how to practice it in daily life. In the following week’s Mass, people share their experiences in families, youth groups, and parish meetings.

The idea was inspired by Living Peace International and the teachings found in The Art of Living by Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement.

The initiative also has special meaning for Jeju, which experienced the tragic Jeju April 3 Incident in 1948 when thousands of people were killed during political violence.

Bishop Pius Moon Chang-woo expressed hope that the “Dice for Peace” will help build a culture of peace and encourage people to live the Gospel values of love and forgiveness every day.

Fifteen years after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster, a former plant worker in Japan continues to care for animals that were abandoned during the tragedy.

Toru Akama, 63, lives near Fukushima Prefecture and looks after dozens of cats and dogs left behind when residents fled the disaster on March 11, 2011. The catastrophe began with Japan’s strongest recorded earthquake and a powerful tsunami, which killed or left missing about 18,500 people and caused a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant.

Soon after the accident, authorities ordered people to evacuate the area. As families left their homes, many pets were also left behind. Akama remembers seeing hungry dogs and cats wandering the empty streets in search of food.

Feeling responsible because he once worked at the plant, he decided to help the animals. He started by feeding them and later brought many into his home. Over the past 15 years, he has helped find new homes for more than 1,000 animals.

Today, Akama cares for 47 cats and seven dogs. His daily routine includes feeding them, cleaning their cages, and walking the dogs. He has spent much of the compensation he received after the disaster on their care.

Akama says the animals keep him active and give him purpose. He hopes that one day someone will continue his mission of caring for abandoned animals.

The killing of a female doctor in Pakistan has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of women in the country. Dr. Mehwish, known by a single name, was shot dead while returning home from duty in Kohat in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Police said the attack happened early in the morning as she was traveling in a rickshaw after finishing work at the District Headquarters Hospital. Reports suggest the incident may have been linked to an argument at the hospital, where she had asked a male attendant to leave a women’s waiting area.

The tragic death has highlighted the wider problem of violence against women in Pakistan. Government data presented in parliament shows that more than 7,500 women were killed between 2021 and 2024, including over 1,500 so-called honor killings. During the same period, authorities recorded more than 173,000 cases of violence against women, including rape, domestic abuse, harassment, and kidnapping.

Experts believe the real number of cases may be much higher because many victims do not report crimes due to fear, stigma, and social pressure. Studies also show that many married women face violence but never seek help.

Despite growing education and professional opportunities for women, many still feel unsafe in everyday life. Human rights advocates say Pakistan has several laws meant to protect women, but weak enforcement remains a major challenge.

Activists stress that real change will require stronger law enforcement and a shift in social attitudes toward respecting women’s rights and dignity.