Asian

Timor-Leste’s first archbishop aims to unite faithful

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili as Timor-Leste’s first archbishop, 17 years after the country gained independence. The announcement was made on Sept. 11 by Archbishop Joseph Salvador Marino, apostolic nuncio to Malaysia and Timor-Leste, during a Mass to commemorate the visit by Pope St John Paul II to […]

Japan launches search for remains of war martyrs in Nagaland

A Japanese team has launched a massive operation in the wilderness of Nagaland to trace for the mortal remains of Japanese soldiers, who died during the World War-II. According to a Deccan Herald report, the team of Japan Association for Recovery & Repatriation of War Casualties (JARRWC) has launched this ambitious 10 days search operation. […]

Catholics in fear as Chinese authorities ban religious education

Communist authorities in mainland China are exerting a clampdown on Christian activities in the country, spreading fear among some church members about their long-term futures. Dioceses in China have been receiving constant warnings about a prohibition on summer camps and many local churches have been pressured into giving up all related activities. Some church members […]

Duterte declares Virgin Mary’s nativity feast a holiday

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law declaring September 8 of every year, the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Catholic Church, a “national special working holiday.” The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is one of the oldest Marian solemnities and one of the principal feasts of the […]

India declines to speak at UNSC session on minorities

India declined to speak at an informal session of the UN Security Council on safety of minorities in conflict when it was invited to take its turn on Aug. 29th. India was listed as a speaker at the informal consultation, but when Poland’s Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz, who was chairing the session, asked India to […]

Cardinal Bo: Myanmar is ‘a bleeding nation,’ people must seek justice

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon said the hopes that came with democracy have not been realized and, instead, the country is wounded and bleeding. In a 7,000-plus word statement, released on the feast of the Assumption, on August 15, the cardinal expressed deep concerns about the challenges faced by Myanmar’s people, reported ucanews.com. “Seven […]

First bishop ordained since Sino-Vatican deal

The first ordination of a bishop since the 2018 China-Vatican provisional agreement has taken place in Jining Diocese, Inner Mongolia. Fr Anthony Yao Shun, 54, of Jining Diocese was ordained at the Our Lady of Rosary Cathedral in the city of Jining on Aug. 26. The ceremony was held by Bishop Paul Meng Qinglu of […]

End to long-running church row in sight, Indonesian mayor says

A dispute which has seen a Protestant church in Indonesia sealed off for the past nine years will be resolved by the end of the year, according to the local mayor where it is located. The mayor of Bogor in West Java province has assured members of the Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church that a final […]

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica