Asia - Pacific News
Taiwan foreign ministry: Vatican-China deal will not affect diplomatic recognition
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Tuesday that it has received assurances from the Vatican regarding the renewal of the Vatican-China deal. Read more
Catholics say religious ed plan defies doctrine, while diocese defends curriculum
Catholics, including some local priests, have said a proposed diocesan catechetical curriculum in Australia promotes views on gender identity and human... Read more
Western Australian legislative committee recommends preserving confessional seal
Religious ministers should not be required to violate the seal of confession to report child sex abuse, a committee of... Read more
Korean bishops back anti-discrimination law, with caveats
A South Korean bill banning discrimination across 26 different categories has hesitant support from the Catholic bishops of the country,... Read more
This church is now the first minor basilica in Central Asia
The Vatican has named a church in Kazakhstan as the first minor basilica in Central Asia. Read more
Christian in Pakistan sentenced to death for blasphemy
A Pakistani court sentenced Asif Pervaiz, a Christian, to death Tuesday on charges of blasphemy. Read more
Queensland passes law requiring priests to break confessional seal
The legislature of the Australian state of Queensland on Tuesday passed a law requiring priests to violate the seal of... Read more
Indian archbishop demands investigation into rotten rice
An Indian archbishop has demanded action over a government mistake which has led poor people of Madhya Pradesh to purchase... Read more
Holy See upholds confessional seal in response to Australian royal commission
The Australian bishops have provided the federal government with the Holy See’s observations on 12 recommendations of a 2017 report... Read more
Chinese doctor says she participated in 'ethnic cleansing' of Uyghurs
A Uyghur woman who worked as a doctor in China has told a British news network that she participated in... Read more
Assisted suicide, euthanasia more than 10 times higher than predicted in Australian state
While the Australian state of Tasmania is debating a bill that would legalize assisted suicide, the state of Victoria reported... Read more
Hong Kong cardinal warns priests to ‘watch your language’ in homilies
The leader of the Diocese of Hong Kong has written to all the clergy telling them to avoid politics in... Read more
Bishop cautions against martial law in Philippines after bombings
Following twin bombings in a southern region of the Philippines, a local bishop is asking the government not to impose... Read more
Hong Kong diocese cancels pro-democracy prayer in newspapers
The Diocese of Hong Kong has intervened to cancel a Catholic pro-democracy ad campaign and prayer that was set to... Read more
Missionaries of Charity cancel Mother Teresa birthday celebrations due to COVID-19
The Missionaries of Charity canceled their customary birthday celebrations for their founder, Mother Teresa, this year after nine religious sisters... Read more
Pro-life student group sends letter to Pope Francis over South Korea abortion law
A pro-life association of university students is appealing to Pope Francis for support as the South Korean government faces a... Read more
Catholic leaders condemn Philippine bombings as ‘unconscionable’
Catholics responded to twin bombings on an island in the Philippines Monday with prayers and calls for peace. Read more
Archbishop remembered as ‘courageous prophet’ after death from COVID-19
Archbishop Oscar Cruz died early Wednesday from coronavirus complications. He is believed to be the 10th Catholic bishop to die... Read more
As South Korea revises abortion law, Catholics mobilize to protect unborn life
As the deadline approaches for South Korea’s National Assembly to revise the country’s abortion law, Korean Catholics are working to... Read more
Catholic Aussie archbishop calls for ethical coronavirus vaccine
The Archbishop of Sydney, Australia, has called on the country’s government to fund an ethical coronavirus vaccine not derived from... Read more
