Asia - Pacific News

President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Filipino priest who criticized Duterte says he has gone into hiding

Aug 27, 2018

A Filipino priest who has been an outspoken critic of extrajudicial killings in the country says he has gone into... Read more

Rohingya refugees at the border of Burma and Bangladesh. 

A year after fleeing Burma, Rohingya refugees face uncertain future

Aug 24, 2018

One year after the Burmese government launched a brutal campaign of violence against Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State, human rights... Read more

A man trapped by the flood waters in Kerala, Aug. 18, 2018. Photo courtesy of the St Vincent de Paul Society of England and Wales.

Catholic Relief Services aids victims of monsoon flooding in India

Aug 22, 2018

Record flash floods and landslides in the southwest state of Kerala in India have left hundreds dead and thousands more... Read more

In Australia, Christian Brothers sex abuse settlement a first after lawsuit limits end

Aug 18, 2018

The Christian Brothers have reached a settlement with a dying 74-year-old Australian man for physical and sexual abuse he suffered... Read more

Submerged vehicles on a flooded street are pictured following monsoon rains in Kochi, in the Indian state of Kerala, Aug. 16, 2018.

Caritas India offers assistance to victims of monsoon floods in Kerala

Aug 16, 2018

After at least 73 people were killed in floods caused by monsoon rains in India's Kerala state, Caritas India and... Read more

Archbishop Philip Wilson. Courtesy of the Archdiocese of Adelaide.

House arrest for Australian archbishop convicted of not reporting abuse

Aug 14, 2018

An Australian court ruled Tuesday that Archbishop Philip Wilson, who was convicted in May of failing to report allegations of... Read more

Flooding in Manila on Aug. 12, 2018.

Cardinal Tagle: Flood victims can find support in Catholic Church

Aug 14, 2018

Catholic parishes and assistance centers are ready to help victims of storms and major floods in the Manila area, said... Read more

Church in Australia should not be tax exempt, former government official says

Aug 13, 2018

A former tax official has said Australia should revoke the non-profit tax status of the Catholic Church in the country,... Read more

A mosque in China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, October 2006.

Chinese region sought to demolish mosque amid crackdown on religion

Aug 10, 2018

Officials in an autonomous region of northwest mainland China intended to demolish a mosque on Friday, but were met by... Read more

A child stands in front of debris after an Aug. 5 earthquake on Indonesia’s Lombok island.

As death toll climbs from Indonesia quake, Catholic agency takes action

Aug 10, 2018

With hundreds dead and thousands left homeless by a major earthquake in Indonesia last weekend, Catholic Relief Services is working... Read more

A man rows a boat through floodwaters as he brings potable water back to his flooded home in Hanoi's suburban Chuong My district, Aug. 2, 2018.

Vietnamese diocese urges aid for victims of flooding

Aug 8, 2018

Heavy rains have caused flooding in northern and north-central Vietnam, and officials of the local Church are encouraging aid for... Read more

Australian unions seek limits on religious groups' hiring freedom

Aug 7, 2018

A group of trade unions in Australia last month passed a motion saying that they will lobby to restrict the... Read more

Flag of China.

Chinese Catholic church demolition is latest in series of church bulldozings

Aug 3, 2018

A Catholic church in China's Shandong province has been demolished by government agents, the latest in a series of church... Read more

European Commission officials visit camps for internally displaced Rohingyas in Burma.

Are the Rohingya returning to Burma? All is not as it seems.

Aug 3, 2018

The Rohingya, a long-suffering Muslim minority in Burma, are allegedly peacefully returning to their country from Bangladesh, where thousands fled... Read more

Australian diocese offers financial aid for school fees amid drought

Aug 2, 2018

As Australian families face a difficult drought, a diocese in New South Wales is offering struggling families assistance with their... Read more

Abortion bill a matter of life and death, Australian bishop says

Aug 2, 2018

Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Australia encouraged members of parliament to look beyond the “worn-out ideologies and tricky language” behind... Read more

Confessional.

Indian cardinal: Proposed confession ban is 'absurd,' unconstitutional

Aug 1, 2018

A proposed ban on the sacrament of confession suggested by a government body in India was slammed by Catholic leaders... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Mueller.

Cardinal Mueller: To lead in Europe, Germany must recover moral strength

Jul 30, 2018

While Germany has the potential to be a major European leader, the Church in the country must take a strong... Read more

Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imarn Khan.

Pakistan elects former cricketer, supporter of blasphemy laws

Jul 27, 2018

Imran Khan has emerged as the victor in a general election held in Pakistan Wednesday, July 25. The professional cricket... Read more

Pilgrims from China at a general audience in St. Peter's Square

In China, government-aligned bishops release ‘Sinicization’ plan

Jul 24, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

Continuing a controversial plan, Chinese bishops allied with the government have told dioceses to prepare local versions of a “Sinicization”... Read more