Russian Orthodox leader to visit Poland, sign reconciliation statement

Jul 17, 2012 - 12:02 am .- During his Aug. 16-19 visit to Poland, Russian Orthodox Patriarch Patriarch Kirill I of Moscow plans to join the country's Catholic leaders in signing a statement appealing for mutual forgiveness.

Slavery is 'alive and well' in India, pastor says

Jul 15, 2012 - 05:11 pm .- Even in contemporary culture, India's Dalits or “untouchables” face oppression and persecution akin to slavery, an American pastor involved in humanitarian work said.

Japan's bishops protest police intrusion, arrest in Catholic church

Jul 13, 2012 - 04:08 pm .- The Japanese bishops' conference sent a letter of protest to the government after police entered a Catholic church without notice or warrant to arrest a Filipino layman for not carrying a passport.

Christianity changing lives of India's 'untouchables'

Jul 12, 2012 - 04:07 am .- A human rights group in India says Christianity has brought slow but lasting change to the country's Dalits or “untouchables,” especially for the community's women who are often victims of prostitution and human trafficking.

Tribute concert held for Catholic who saved Jewish children

Jul 9, 2012 - 06:00 pm .- A concert was held July 5 at the Melbourne Recital Centre to remember Irena Sendler, the Polish Catholic who saved some 2,500 Jewish children by smuggling them out of Warsaw’s ghetto.

Chinese government ignores Vatican warning on bishop ordination

Jul 6, 2012 - 03:30 pm .- The Vatican is considering its response following the illicit ordination of another bishop without Pope Benedict’s approval.

Pope establishes Australian ordinariate for former Anglicans

Jun 15, 2012 - 04:22 pm .- On June 15 Pope Benedict officially erected the Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross for Anglican groups and individuals who want to enter full communion with the Catholic Church.

Nuncio applauds bishops' unified efforts to defend religious freedom

Jun 13, 2012 - 04:16 pm .- Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the Pope’s representative to the United States, urged the American bishops to view the difficulties facing the Church as an opportunity to unite in defense of the faith.

Bishops back Pakistan activist after death threat fears

Jun 8, 2012 - 02:20 am .- The Catholic bishops of Pakistan are giving their “full solidarity and support” to Asma Jahangir, a human rights advocate in Pakistan who says her life is being threatened by factions in the country’s ruling establishment and intelligence services.

Bangladeshi author decries female 'gendercide' in the East

Jun 7, 2012 - 01:49 pm .- A new novel by a businesswoman and author from Bangladesh is highlighting the ongoing tragedy of female “gendercide” in many Eastern cultures.

New bishop appointed to lead troubled Toowoomba diocese

May 14, 2012 - 11:21 am .- Pope Benedict XVI has named Monsignor Robert McGuckin to lead the Diocese of Toowoomba, Australia – one year after the previous bishop was removed for dissenting from Catholic teaching and practice.

Concerns remain despite promises of safety for Chinese activist

May 2, 2012 - 01:50 pm .- A blind pro-life advocate who has spoken out against China’s brutal one-child policy has been offered promises of safety from Chinese government officials, but new reports suggest that he is now asking to leave the country.

Chinese activist’s escape prompts calls for US action

Apr 30, 2012 - 02:05 pm .- The escape of Chen Guangcheng, a human rights advocate who opposed China’s brutal one-child policy, is resulting in calls for the U.S. to protest human rights abuses within the communist country.  

Pope names Archbishop Coleridge to lead Brisbane Catholics

Apr 4, 2012 - 12:26 am .- Pope Benedict XVI has named Australian Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Canberra-Goulburn as the new Archbishop of Brisbane.

On disaster's first anniversary, Japanese Catholics turn to prayer

Mar 9, 2012 - 04:00 pm .- A year after one of the most devastating Japanese natural disasters in history, Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga of Osaka is calling on Catholics to pray for those who died in the earthquake and tsunami and for the reconstruction of the country. 

Abuse case points to plight of baby girls in India

Feb 20, 2012 - 04:09 pm .- The case of a two year-old baby girl in India who was unconscious and covered in human bites when admitted to a local hospital is bringing attention to the issue of sex-selective abortions in the country.

Cardinal Zen says Vatican needs tougher approach to China

Feb 14, 2012 - 03:56 pm .- Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong says the Vatican’s recent policy in dealing with China has failed and that the Church must now take a tougher stance.

Catholic student helps relieve children's suffering in Myanmar

Feb 12, 2012 - 06:11 pm .- Conditions in a Myanmar children's prison are causing major suffering and malnutrition among its young prisoners, says a Burmese Catholic student working to make a difference.

Deadly floods in Philippines trigger Catholic response

Dec 20, 2011 - 12:46 am .- Catholic organizations are helping organize aid for the victims of Typhoon Sendong in the Philippines after it caused flash floods that have killed hundreds of people and left thousands homeless.

Malaysian Christians reject permit to sing Christmas carols

Dec 19, 2011 - 06:06 pm .- Christians from two churches in Malaysia rejected a requirement that they will need a police permit to sing Christmas carols in their parishes or their homes.