Asian

Chinese Christians warned not to speak about persecution

As the Chinese government continues to suppress religious freedom, Christianity is facing the forcible removal of crosses and demolition of churches across the vast nation. However, threatened by the authorities and fearing retaliation, some Catholic Church members dare not disclose what is happening to the outside world, causing a blackout of all news on the […]

Church fights changes to Hong Kong’s extradition law

The Hong Kong government’s determination to pass a bill amending its controversial extradition law has compelled Christian communities to express their concern in a series of statements. Officially known as the Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Ordinance, the law would allow people from the former British colony to be sent to […]

Manila tour promotes closer Muslim-Christian ties

Quiapo district in the Philippine capital Manila has always been a hub of commerce and a centre of piety among Filipino Catholics. It is home to shops that offer low prices and to the centuries-old image of the Black Nazarene, which is housed in a church in the middle of a busy marketplace. Unbeknown to […]

Vietnamese Catholics share Jesus’ love with the poor

Lovers of the Holy Cross Sister Anna Tran Thi Hien and four other nuns get up at 3.30 a.m. and prepare breakfast for hospital patients. They provide chao (rice cooked with meat or fish) for hundreds of poor patients and their relatives at a public hospital in Dong Ha city in Quang Tri province. They […]

Cardinal Tagle Asks Students not to Bully

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila has asked the students to never bully others or allow bullying to happen in their schools or anywhere near them. In his homily during the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the Manila Cathedral, he noted ton on June 19, 2019, the growing phenomenon of bullying, especially online. “Gossiping, […]

Christians face more persecution in Modi’s India

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi starting his second term after leading his pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to victory in India’s recent election, complaints of violence are growing from the country’s persecuted Christians. Christians face a new wave of threats from Hindu groups after the BJP retained its grip on power in May. “A second […]

Sri Lanka to set up religious reconciliation council

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says he accepts the recent announcement of Buddhist prelates and will take steps to set up a council to dispel the suspicions and misconceptions among religions and build religious reconciliation. The premier told a function in Baddegama on June 08 that a religious reconciliation council will be established under the leadership […]

Modi visits blast-hit church during Lanka trip

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi plans visited St Anthony’s Church, venue of the first bomb blast site in Colombo, during his official visit to the island nation on June 9. The Indian premier’s Sri Lanka visit was announced by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on May 31, a day after he attended Modi’s swearing-in ceremony […]

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

Goans oppose tourism project near 16th century basilica