Asia - Pacific News

The Vatican on March 16, 2024, determined that nothing prevents the opening of the cause for canonization of Niña Ruiz-Abad, a 13-year-old girl who died in 1993 in the Philippines and whose grave has become a place of pilgrimage.

Vatican authorizes opening of cause for canonization for 13-year-old Filipina girl

Mar 18, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The grave of Niña Ruiz-Abad, a 13-year-old girl who died in 1993 in the Philippines, has become a place of... Read more

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

Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law won’t affect seal of confession, diocese says

Mar 15, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The Diocese of Hong Kong on Friday issued a statement that the seal of confession would not be violated under... Read more

Cardinal John Dew in 2016.

New Zealand Cardinal Dew denies allegations amid Vatican investigation into alleged abuse

Mar 7, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The inquiry was launched after a police investigation concluded without charges. Read more

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão on Aug. 27, 2022, in Vatican City.

Indian Cardinal Ferrão to head Asian bishops’ conference amid Church’s continued growth

Feb 26, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Despite a sharp decline in Church membership in Western Europe and North America, the Church in Asia has experienced continued... Read more

Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral in Broome, Australia.

Australian bishop Christopher Saunders arrested, charged with rape 

Feb 22, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The charges came after the Vatican turned over to civil authorities its findings on allegations that Christopher Saunders abused vulnerable... Read more

The second floor of St. Peter the Apostle Church in San José del Monte in the Philippines collapsed during Ash Wednesday Mass on Feb. 14, 2024.

Church floor in Philippines collapses on Ash Wednesday, killing 1 and injuring dozens

Feb 15, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Witnesses reportedly heard a loud noise and then screams from the people who fell from the balcony and from some... Read more

St. Matthew Catholic Church appears gutted by fire, allegedly set by government soldiers, in eastern Myanmar on June 15, 2022.

Aid group warns of violence against Christians, sees glimmer of hope in Myanmar

Feb 15, 2024

By AC Wimmer

A humanitarian aid group has warned of a rise in violence against the persecuted Christian minority amid the bloody civil... Read more

Indian Catholics bishops pray at the closing of the their Feb. 7, 2024, conference.

Indian Church to observe ‘day of prayer and fasting’ amid growing religious polarization

Feb 12, 2024

By Anto Akkara

The Catholic Church in India has called for observing March 22 as a “day of prayer and fasting for peace... Read more

Father Dominic Pinto, of the Diocese of Lucknow in India, (cathedral school of Lucknow pictured above) was arrested for violation of the state's anti-conversion law.

Amid arrests of Indian priests and nun, bishop calls for ‘storming of heaven’

Feb 9, 2024

By Anto Akkara

Eleven out of India’s 28 states have passed laws to criminalize forced conversions but, in practice, they have been used... Read more

Sixteen new priests were ordained Feb. 1–2, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea.

16 priests, 25 deacons ordained in Seoul, site of World Youth Day 2027

Feb 6, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek of Seoul recently ordained 16 new priests and 25 new deacons for the archdiocese that will... Read more

A man tends to his goats in a village in Kerala, India.

Half a million Catholics in India petition government for better living conditions

Feb 6, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Christians make up about 20% of the local population in Kerala, with the Christian community there tracing its ancient roots... Read more

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

A woman was seen paying tribute to victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks at a cemetery in Negombo, Sri Lanka.

Church in Sri Lanka to begin canonization process for hundreds killed in 2019 Easter attack

Feb 5, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The Archdiocese of Colombo has plans to submit a petition to the Vatican to declare those killed in the Easter... Read more

Pope Francis at the Nagasaki Martyrs’ Monument on Nishizaka Hill Nov. 24, 2019.

The first Mexican-born martyr: a castaway friar who was crucified in Japan 

Feb 5, 2024

By ACI Prensa

Only 25 when he was killed, San Felipe de Jesus — St. Philip of Jesus — is celebrated Feb. 5... Read more

The 36th biennial assembly of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), with over 180 bishops in attendance, got underway in Bangalore on Jan. 31, 2024.

Violence against Christians in India addressed at Catholic bishops’ conference

Feb 1, 2024

By Anto Akkara

“The Church can play a crucial role in shaping the moral character of the society,” said Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the... Read more

The Mass of episcopal consecration for Bishop Peter Wu Yishun was celebrated in the Church of Chengguan in the district of Jianyang in the city of Nanping and celebrated by Joseph Li Shan, the archbishop of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CCPA), and vice chairman of the Chinese Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

Holy See appoints third Chinese bishop in less than a week, signaling shift toward Beijing 

Jan 31, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Father Peter Wu Yishun was named the bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of Shaowu (Minbei) in the third appointment of... 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

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil, the new archbishop of the divided Syro-Malabar Church in India, has been well received by the faithful and civic leaders alike, but there is no sign that the differences over the liturgy that have split his Church are close to being resolved.

New leader of Syro-Malabar Church faces daunting task as dissenting priests remain defiant

Jan 31, 2024

By Anto Akkara

Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil has his work cut out for him as he seeks to carry out the Holy Father’s... Read more

The Vatican on Jan. 10, 2024, announced the confirmation of the election of a new head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the largest Eastern Catholic church in India, Bishop Raphael Thattil.

Pope Francis confirms new head of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church

Jan 10, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has confirmed a new head of the Syro-Malabar Church, the largest Eastern Catholic church in India. Read more

A Catholic devotee kisses the glass cover of the Black Nazarene statue during the annual procession for the feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila, Philippines, on Jan. 9, 2024. Hundreds of thousands of Catholic faithful swarmed a historic statue of Jesus Christ as it was pulled through the streets of the Philippine capital in one of the world’s biggest displays of religious devotion.

Black Nazarene procession in the Philippines draws millions after returning from COVID

Jan 9, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The Black Nazarene procession in the Philippines, one of the largest religious devotions in the world, returned this year to... Read more