Asia - Pacific News

Catholics from Papua New Guinea during the General Assembly that was held in Mingende, Kundiawa Diocese, in 2022.

Pope Francis to find a lively and simple faith in Papua New Guinea

Aug 23, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Pope Francis will visit Papua New Guinea as part of an apostolic journey that will take place Sept. 2–13 in... Read more

India's supreme court building is pictured in New Delhi on July 9, 2018.

Church hails India Supreme Court for reaffirming ban on euthanasia: ‘Extremely happy’

Aug 22, 2024

By Anto Akkara

“We are extremely happy that the sacredness of life has been upheld by the court,” Archbishop Raphy Manjaly of Agra,... Read more

The song, titled “One Church, One People,” was composed by Ethan Hsu.

Theme song for Pope Francis’ visit to Singapore released

Aug 21, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The Catholic community in Singapore released a theme song for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the country.  Read more

Archbishop Sebastian Shaw, archbishop of Lahore, Pakistan.

Pakistan archbishop on ‘sabbatical’ after allegations of abuse, fraud

Aug 17, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Archbishop Sebastian Shaw, OFM, has been replaced as administrator of the Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan, the diocese’s vicar general announced. Read more

A Japanese nun holds her arms out as she prays at a chapel in her convent in Nagasaki, Japan.

Sister Agnes Sasagawa, Our Lady of Akita visionary, dies at 93

Aug 17, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Sister Agnes Sasagawa, a Japanese nun who purported visions of the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of... Read more

St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Dunedin, New Zealand.

New Zealand Church’s safeguarding efforts praised, but report highlights need for action

Aug 16, 2024

By AC Wimmer

An assessment of Catholic safeguarding protocols in New Zealand highlighted progress in many areas while also pointing to the need... Read more

St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne, Australia.

Australian archbishop calls for faith protections in wake of shelved religious bill

Aug 14, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“It is regrettable that such important legislation is not proceeding,” Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli said in a statement. Read more

Jimmy Lai and other demonstrators had been convicted in 2021 of taking part in what the Hong Kong government had argued was an “unauthorized assembly” at Victoria Park in Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay neighborhood.

Hong Kong court rejects Catholic democracy activist Jimmy Lai’s appeal of 2021 conviction

Aug 12, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Lai and other demonstrators had been convicted in 2021 of taking part in what the Hong Kong government had argued... Read more

The Tuan Ma statue is paraded around Larantuka City during the Semana Santa Holy Week celebrations on Flores Island.

3 Marian holy sites in the Muslim nation of Indonesia

Aug 11, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Records dating back to the 16th century indicate that the first Catholic traditions in Indonesia were established following the first... Read more

St. Maximilian Kolbe (bearded, in front row, center) and his companions in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1936.

The Nagasaki mission house built by St. Maximilian Kolbe that survived the atomic bomb 

Aug 9, 2024

By Gigi Duncan

While the bombing devastated both the city of Nagasaki and its large Catholic population, the monastery of Seibo no Kishi... Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Jimmy Lai remains in solitary confinement after Hong Kong trial delayed until November

Aug 5, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Media mogul and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai will remain in solitary confinement after a Hong Kong court delayed his national... Read more

Celebrants gathered at the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the launch event for World Youth Day 2027.

Seoul paves the way for World Youth Day 2027 with launch event

Aug 1, 2024

By Gigi Duncan

The launch event for World Youth Day 2027 was held at the Myeongdong Cathedral on July 28 and drew more... Read more

St. Mary’s Catherdral, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Australian bishops release companion guide to address assisted suicide

Jul 31, 2024

By Daniel Payne

In Australia, all six of the country’s states currently allow assisted suicide, or “voluntary assisted dying.” Read more

St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Dunedin, New Zealand.

New Zealand commission finds Church guilty of ‘inadequate’ responses to abuse and neglect

Jul 24, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

The abuse commission conducted its study over six years. It is notably the most wide-ranging investigation into abuse and neglect... Read more

The UCF meeting with the key minister in the Hindu nationalist BJP-led government came a week after the entire leadership of CBCI led by president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath and secretary general Archbishop Anil Couto of Delhi met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 12, 2024, about the ongoing atrocities against Christians in the country.

Led by bishops, Indian Christians mount pressure on government to curb atrocities

Jul 24, 2024

By Anto Akkara

Amid ongoing attacks, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has put pressure on the national government to address violence against... Read more

Bishop Richard Umbers.

Australian bishop hails U.S. Eucharistic Congress as model for global Catholic renewal

Jul 23, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The Sydney auxiliary bishop, observing the Indianapolis event, sees it as inspiration for Australia’s hosting of the 2028 International Eucharistic... Read more

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Church leaders praise Pakistan amendment raising legal age for marriage of Christians

Jul 22, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Pakistan’s National Assembly unanimously approved the raising of the minimum legal age for marriage to 18 earlier this month. Read more

A synodal Mass in progress at St. Dominic Church at Aluva in the Ernakulam Archdiocese of the Syro-Malabar Church on July14, 2024.

Syro-Malabar Church in India initiates plan to resolve bitter liturgical feud 

Jul 17, 2024

By Anto Akkara

“The Holy Qurbana [Mass] should not be the reason for division in the Church,” Father Antony Vadakkekara, Church spokesperson, told... Read more

This photo taken on Jan. 15, 2024, shows a Chinese flag fluttering below a cross on a Christian church in Pingtan in China’s southeast Fujian province.

Top Catholic app reportedly removed from app store in China

Jul 16, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

Alex Jones, Hallow’s founder, posted on social media Monday afternoon that the app “just got kicked out of the App... Read more

Filipino newlyweds dance in the street during a reception in Baleno town, Masbate island province in the central Philippines, April 15, 2007.

Filipino bishops urge nation to ‘take a little more time’ before legalizing civil divorce

Jul 12, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The Philippines is the only nation in the world, other than the Vatican, where divorce is still outlawed.  Read more