Asia - Pacific News

Sister Philomena Guria, RNDM, treats a snake bite patient. Photo courtesy of the Sisters of Our Lady of Missions.

Catholic snakebite clinic in India saves thousands of lives each year

Oct 16, 2019

By Courtney Mares

In most religious orders’ novitiate year, prospective sisters study and pray. Sister Crescencia Sun, however, had another habit to acquire:... Read more

In Philippines, bishop calls for mental health approach to drug problems

Oct 12, 2019

Amid a United Nations investigation into a brutal “war on drugs” by Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, a Catholic bishop is... Read more

Legal group warns about sex-selective abortion on Day of the Girl Child

Oct 11, 2019

On the International Day of the Girl Child, a legal advocacy group in India is drawing attention to the problem... Read more

Chen Guangcheng speaks at the Catholic University of America, Oct 9, 2019.

Anything that threatens Communism is a target, Chinese human rights advocate says

Oct 10, 2019

Human rights lawyer and former political prisoner Chen Guangcheng said Wednesday that “anything that threatens Communist power will be a target for... Read more

St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.

Catholic bishops add to concerns over Australian religious discrimination bill

Oct 8, 2019

The Catholic bishops of Australia are among those who have called for changes to a contentious religious discrimination bill, saying... Read more

The Ruins of St. Paul's in Macau.

Macau diocese angered by government light show on church ruins

Oct 4, 2019

A diocese in southern China expressed disappointment this week regarding a patriotic light-show that had been projected on the remains... Read more

New Zealand bishop resigns over 'unacceptable behaviour' with young woman

Oct 4, 2019

The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of a bishop in New Zealand, following an investigation... Read more

St Mary's Catherdral, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Via Shutterstock.

Australian bishop rejects calls to dismantle seminaries

Oct 3, 2019

A Catholic bishop in Australia has dismissed media reports that Church leaders are considering a radical overhaul of priestly formation.  Read more

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon.

Burmese cardinal laments religious leaders' silence over violence

Oct 2, 2019

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon has decried Burma's ongoing violence, and encouraged religious leaders to raise their voices in... Read more

Parliament House, Canberra.

Christian think tank warns of flaws in Australian religious discrimination bill

Oct 1, 2019

Freedom for Faith, a Christian legal think tank, expressed concerns last week over unintended consequences of the Australian government's religious... Read more

Tiananmen Square - Entrance to Forbidden City, Beijing, China.

China marks 70 years of communism and human rights abuses

Oct 1, 2019

On Tuesday, the People’s Republic of China marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the country’s communist regime. While... Read more

Ruins of Saint Paul's Cathedral in Macau, China.

Amid Hong Kong protests, Beijing cracks down on some Chinese Catholics

Sep 30, 2019

The persecution of Catholics in mainland China is increasing after prominent Catholic figures in Hong Kong continue to speak out... Read more

After 15 months, Missionary of Charity accused of child trafficking granted bail

Sep 30, 2019

A religious sister with the Missionaries of Charity has been released on bail 25 months after her arrest. She is... Read more

Online Japanese Catholics are looking for a digital shepherd

Sep 29, 2019

In the age of mass communication, the Catholic Church is finding previously unimagined opportunities for evangelization – namely, over the... Read more

The flag of Pakistan.

Pakistani court overturns blasphemy conviction of Muslim man

Sep 27, 2019

Pakistan's Supreme Court acquitted a man Wednesday who was sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2002, saying there was a... Read more

Protest Against Christian Persecution in China, Sept. 14, 2019, Cologne, Germany.

China harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, human rights group claims

Sep 26, 2019

The Chinese government is harvesting organs from religious and ethnic minorities, a human rights organization told the United Nations Human... Read more

Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney at a Vatican press conference Oct. 5.

Archbishop: NSW abortion legalization ‘a defeat for humanity’

Sep 26, 2019

The archbishop of Sydney lamented a controversial new law decriminalizing abortion in New South Wales, and stressed that the Church... Read more

Sex abuse scandal leaves Australian Church, gov’t scrambling for solutions 

Sep 25, 2019

In the wake of a major clergy sex abuse scandal and the high-profile, controversial trial and conviction of sex abuse... Read more

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan co-hosts an event on 'The Human Rights Crisis in Xinjiang' in New York City, Sept. 24, 2019.

International reactions to Chinese detention of Muslims remain mixed

Sep 25, 2019

As China's detention of Muslims of the country's northwest in re-education camps continues, few countries are openly denouncing the practice... Read more

Vaccine.

Amid Philippines polio outbreak, bishop encourages vaccines, education

Sep 24, 2019

A Catholic bishop in the Philippines called for a strong response from the government to fight poliovirus, following an announcement... Read more