Asian

China arrests leaders of Evangelical church demolished in 2018

Authorities in China have arrested leaders and members of a prominent evangelical church that was destroyed with dynamite about three years ago, sparking a global outcry. Nine leaders and members of the Golden Lampstand Church, a house church in Linfen in Shanxi province, northern China, were arrested on August 7 in a “well-prepared and coordinated” […]

Abducted priest, catechist released in Myanmar’s Chin state

A priest and a catechist from Hakha Diocese in Myanmar’s Chin state who were arrested by a local militia have been released following mediation by Catholic leaders. Father Noel Hrang Tin Thang and a catechist were arrested by the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) while they were traveling from Surkhua to Hakah on July 26. They […]

Chinese authorities raid Zoom church service

Police officers and Chinese Communist Party officials raided a church in Guangdong Province, which advocates for justice in China, while its pastor and elder were leading an online worship service on Zoom, forcing the two to stop preaching. Security agents, police officers and other officials surrounded the Shenzhen Trinity Gospel Harvest Church in Shenzhen city […]

Airport echoes with sobs and farewells in Hong Kong exodus

Twice a day Hong Kong’s virtually de-serted airport fills with the sound of tearful goodbyes as residents fearful for their future under China’s increa-singly authoritarian rule start a new life over-seas, mostly in Britain. London flights tend to leave in the afternoon and late evening, and for a few hours it briefly feels like the […]

Korean charity pledges help to Myanmar refugees

A South Korean priest-run charity is raising funds to provide tents and essential supplies to 300 refugees in Kayah state, a Catholic stronghold in eastern Myanmar. Korea Hope Founda-tion, a charity based in capital Seoul, has Father Choi Ki-sik as chairman of its board. The priest in Seoul Archdiocese has appeal-ed: “Let’s work together for a world […]

Japan prelate named secretary general of Asian bishops’ federation

Japanese Archbishop Tarci-sio Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo has been appointed as the new Se-cretary General of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. Archbishop Kikuchi replaced Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-Sang of Macau, who resigned from the post this month. The FABC announced the archbishops’ appointment in a letter sent to its member episcopal conferences on Thursday, […]

Bangladeshi Catholics celebrate the first local priest to take up a Vatican diplomatic post

Pope Francis appointed Fr Linku Lenard Gomes, 39, as Secretary to the Apostolic Nun-ciature in Panama on 1 July. The clergyman received the decision with a mixture of emo-tion and amazement. “Although I am not the most eligible, God chose me for his work. I will surely use my talents to perform my service in […]

Hong Kongers arrested for sedition over children’s books

Five members of a Hong Kong union behind a series of children’s books about sheep trying to hold back wolves from their village have been arrested for sedition, police announced on July 22. The arrests by the new national security police unit, which is spearheading a sweeping crackdown on dissent, are the latest action against […]

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica