China

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Catholic pilgrims from Hong Kong came to see the pope at the welcome ceremony in Sukhbaatar Square in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Sept. 2, 2023.

Freedom of religion is ‘deteriorating’ in Hong Kong, new report says

Feb 6, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

The Chinese government is now tightening its grip on the region of more than 7 million residents, a Jan. 30... Read more

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference at the presidential office in Taipei on Dec. 27, 2022.

President of Taiwan joins Pope Francis in call for regulating AI

Jan 31, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

President of Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen sent a letter to Pope Francis on Wednesday joining the pontiff in calling for greater... Read more

Janada Marcus, 22, was forced to flee Boko Haram with her family twice before the terrorists attacked them again, killing her father and kidnapping her.

New online database tracks attacks against Christians in real time

Jan 9, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The “Violent Incidents Database,” launched by Global Christian Relief on Jan. 5, tracks attacks on Christians and people of faith... Read more

Chinese flags on barbed wired wall in Kashgar (Kashi), Xinjiang, China.

Chinese bishop who was removed from diocese by Communist regime is arrested

Jan 5, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin was arrested on Jan. 2 and reportedly instructed to “take clothes for spring, summer, autumn, and... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Jimmy Lai pleads not guilty in Hong Kong national security trial

Jan 2, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Lai’s trial in Hong Kong began last month, launching what is expected to be a protracted legal exhibition capping several... Read more

Jonathan Price, a member of Jimmy Lai's international legal team, appears on “EWTN News Nightly” with host Tracy Sabol on Dec. 19, 2023.

Jimmy Lai unlikely to receive a fair trial from Hong Kong judges, lawyer says

Dec 20, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Catholic democracy activist Jimmy Lai was arrested in August 2020 under that year’s controversial national security law. Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Congressional commission urges sanctions if Hong Kong won’t release Jimmy Lai

Dec 18, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Jimmy Lai, now 76, has been imprisoned for three years in a maximum security prison, charged with a variety of... Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest.

Trial begins for Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong Catholic activist imprisoned for 3 years

Dec 18, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Lai was originally arrested in August 2020 under that year’s controversial national security law, which was passed by China’s communist-controlled... Read more

Catholics celebrate Christmas Mass at the Nativity of Our Lady Church on Dec. 24, 2019, in Macau, China.

Christian population shrinking in China amid ‘crackdown’

Dec 15, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

This finding, human rights activists told CNA, is not surprising given the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts in recent years to... Read more

A 17th-century Japanese depiction of St. Francis Xavier from the Kobe City Museum collection.

The unlikely hero of India: St. Francis Xavier 

Dec 3, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

St. Francis Xavier is a patron saint of missionaries and missions and led an unlikely life of adventure and heroism. Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest.

Hong Kong lawmaker blasts Catholic bishops’ petition for release of Jimmy Lai 

Nov 21, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

“I advise those religious leaders to know when to quit, or else they will have a heavy price to pay,”... Read more

Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the state-managed Catholic organization in mainland China controlled by the CCP’s United Front Work Department.

China’s top patriotic bishop stresses unity, sinicization to guide evangelization

Nov 20, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

After a three-day visit to Hong Kong, Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing stressed the importance of building unity. Read more

Bishop Yao Shun of Jining  and Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun (right) of the People's Republic of China at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican in October 2023.

Chinese bishop reflects on his experience at the Synod on Synodality

Nov 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Bishop Antonio Yao Shun of Jining recently said he was “cheered” to meet Catholics from around the world. Read more

Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the state-managed Catholic organization in mainland China controlled by the CCP’s United Front Work Department.

Beijing archbishop becomes first to visit Hong Kong since Chinese revolution

Nov 14, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The archbishop of Beijing is visiting Hong Kong in a trip that marks a historic first since the Chinese Communist... Read more

Flag of the People's Republic of China.

China’s new ‘Patriotic Education Law’ places further limits on religious instruction

Nov 9, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The new law would require churches and religious groups to adapt their educational activities to promote the party’s official ideology. Read more

A road in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Christianity growing despite world’s worst persecutions, new report says

Nov 8, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

A new report from a Christian advocacy group says that Christianity continues to thrive and grow despite brutal repression. Read more

Taiwan’s Ambassador to the Holy See Matthew Lee speaks Oct. 5, 2023, at a reception with members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Vatican. Lee underlined that “Taiwan will do whatever we can to remain on the road of peace.”

Taiwan’s ambassador to the Vatican: Better to prevent a war than stop one afterward

Oct 5, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Speaking at a reception on Oct. 5, Ambassador Matthew Lee underlined that “Taiwan will do whatever we can to remain... Read more

Newspaper publisher and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai poses during an interview in Hong Kong in 2020.

Pro-democracy Catholic Jimmy Lai marks 1,000th day in jail awaiting trial

Sep 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

As the publisher and activist awaits a December trial, human rights groups have published an open letter calling on the... Read more

At the opening reception for the Ricci Center's "On The Road" exhibit in the School of Theology and Ministry Library was held in June 2023.

Boston College exhibit showcases Catholic faith in rural China

Sep 24, 2023

By Rosanne Pellegrini

The Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History presents an exhibition by world-renowned photographer Lü Nan. Read more

Chinese flags on barbed wired wall in Kashgar (Kashi), Xinjiang, China.

Chinese priest convicted of ‘fraud’ for refusal to recognize state-sanctioned Church 

Sep 15, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Father Joseph Yang Xiaoming was found to have violated the law after he refused to register with the state-sanctioned Chinese... Read more