Asia - Pacific News

The flags of Australia and the Vatican. Credit: elic via Shutterstock.

Report: Probe can’t account for $2 million sent from Vatican to Australia

Jan 20, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Investigators examining transfers from the Vatican to Australia have been unable to account for around $1.9 million sent between the... Read more

Archbishop Philip Wilson. Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Adelaide.

Australian Catholic Archbishop Philip Wilson dies unexpectedly at age 70

Jan 18, 2021

The Australian Archbishop Philip Wilson died unexpectedly on Sunday at the age of 70.  Read more

A protest against the Philippine war on drugs outside the Philippines Consulate General in NYC.

Filipino priest to stand trial for sedition charges after speaking out on president’s drug policies

Jan 14, 2021

A Catholic priest in the Philippines is set to stand trial on sedition charges, stemming from his public objections to... Read more

Report: Australia’s financial crime watchdog says it vastly overestimated Vatican transfers

Jan 13, 2021

Australia’s financial crime watchdog has said that it vastly overestimated Vatican transfers, local media reported on Wednesday.  Read more

Vietnamese bishop: Plan for charity this Lunar New Year

Jan 10, 2021

By CNA Staff

Inspired by Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Peace, a Vietnamese bishop is encouraging Catholics to establish an... Read more

Procession of the Black Nazarene in Manila, January 7, 2010.

Attendance limited at Black Nazarene Masses in Philippines

Jan 6, 2021

Filippino churches and authorities will limit attendance for the Masses of the Black Nazarene - one of the country’s largest... Read more

Pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong's Victoria Park, June 2019.

Wave of arrests in Hong Kong targets pro-democracy politicians, activists

Jan 6, 2021

Police in Hong Kong arrested more than 50 people Wednesday for apparent violations of a China-imposed “national security law”— the... Read more

Bishop Andrew Han Jingtao | Courtesy: AsiaNews.it

Underground Catholic bishop dies in China

Dec 31, 2020

According to the Catholic outlet AsiaNews, headquartered in Rome, Bishop Andrea Han Jingtao, 99, one of the most revered leaders... Read more

A celebration of the Malankara Orthodox Church in Parumala, Kerala.

India's Supreme Court to hear complaint over mandatory confession in Oriental Orthodoxy

Dec 15, 2020

The Supreme Court of India agreed Monday to consider a petition that the requirement of annual confession in the Malankara... Read more

Close-up view of the sign of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

International court declines to investigate China for Uyghur persecution

Dec 15, 2020

The International Criminal Court has declined to investigate the Chinese government for their detention of ethnic and religious minorities, but... Read more

Victoria's conversion therapy bill a 'dramatic overreach of the state'

Dec 10, 2020

A bill seeking to ban so-called conversion therapy for sexual orientation or gender identity in the Australian state of Victoria... Read more

Jimmy Lai Chee Ying arrving at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, Hong Kong, Oct. 15, 2020.

Cardinal Zen: Jimmy Lai arrest is part of campaign of ‘political intimidation’

Dec 10, 2020

By Ed Condon

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun has warned that the recent arrest of Jimmy Lai shows a rise in “political intimidation” against... Read more

The Indonesian flag.

Indonesian Catholic bishops call for justice in local elections

Dec 7, 2020

The bishops of Indonesia urged Catholics to participate in the upcoming local elections by voting for Catholics who honor the... Read more

Photograph of Saint Mary MacKillop in 1890. Public domain.

Australia celebrates 10th anniversary of St. Mary MacKillop’s canonization

Dec 7, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Australia is celebrating the 10th anniversary this year of the canonization of the country’s first and only saint, St. Mary... Read more

City skyline in Sydney, Australia.

Australian Catholic bishops establish new agency to fight abuse

Dec 4, 2020

On Thursday, the Catholic bishops of Australia and two other Catholic entities launched Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited, a company charged... Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian Grotto in Pakistan.

Christian aid group applauds investigation into forced conversions, marriages in Pakistan

Dec 3, 2020

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered an investigation into the forced conversion of women and girls from the country’s... Read more

Hongkongers march on streets of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, July, 2019.

Hong Kong democracy protestors sentenced to months in prison

Dec 2, 2020

Three Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, including a Catholic university student, were sentenced to prison on Wednesday for participating in illegal protests.  Read more

Uyghurs at a mosque in Kashgar, Xinjiang, China, September 2010.

China claims papal critique over Uyghurs has 'no factual basis at all'

Nov 26, 2020

Following Pope Francis’ mention in passing of the Uyghurs as persecuted in a new book, the Chinese foreign ministry said... Read more

Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh.

New project brings psychological care to Rohingya refugee children

Nov 24, 2020

A new initiative for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is offering counseling and psychological care for children and adolescents in refugee... Read more

The episcopal ordination of Thomas Chen Tianhao in Qingdao Cathedral, China, on Nov. 23, 2020.

Chinese Patriotic Association announces ordination of new bishop

Nov 24, 2020

The Chinese Patriotic Association announced Monday the ordination of a new bishop of Qingdao.  Read more