Asia - Pacific News
Australian archbishop, religious leaders urge calm after violent attack on Sydney bishop
“I urge the faithful to not respond to these events with fear, avoiding places of worship because they are worried... Read more
Pope Francis’ Indonesia visit to ‘strengthen message of tolerance, unity, and world peace’
The Indonesian government has confirmed the country will be the first destination in the 87-year-old pontiff’s apostolic journey to the... Read more
Australian police arrest male suspect following stabbing attack at Sydney church
In a first statement, New South Wales police urged the community to avoid the area, saying several people were stabbed,... Read more
Pope Francis expresses sorrow as Sydney knife attack shocks Australia
“Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the violent attack in Sydney, and he sends the assurance of his... Read more
Myanmar priest shot while celebrating Mass amid violent conflict
Masked assailants shot Father Paul Khwi Shane Aung as he celebrated Mass at St. Patrick’s Church in the town of... Read more
13-year-old Filipina who loved the Eucharist is officially on path to sainthood
On April 7, the cause for canonization of 13-year-old Filipina Niña Ruíz-Abad was officially opened at St. William the Hermit... Read more
Vatican official meets Vietnam’s prime minister during historic diplomatic trip
Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations with states, spoke with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh about a... Read more
Japanese company’s pivot to adult diapers underscores crashing fertility rates worldwide
Oji Holdings’ pivot to adult diaper manufacturing underscores an ongoing crisis facing many developed nations around the world: cratering fertility... Read more
Indian bishops’ ‘guidelines’ for Catholic schools elicit mixed reaction
The 13-page document issued to India’s 15,000 Catholic educational institutions includes a recommendation that schools display the preamble to the... Read more
Filipino Catholic Church presents official portrait of 13-year-old girl considered for sainthood
The official portrait of Servant of God Niña Ruíz-Abad was presented during the opening of the diocesan phase of her... Read more
Church in Kyrgyzstan: a ‘blossoming bud’ growing in the peripheries of the world
The Apostolic Administration of Kyrgyzstan convened a two-day meeting April 2-3 in the capital of Bishkek to pray and discuss... Read more
Pope Francis ‘deeply saddened,’ expresses closeness with victims of Taiwan earthquake
The Holy Father “assures everyone affected by this disaster of his heartfelt solidarity and spiritual closeness,” a Vatican telegram said. Read more
Easter holiday is canceled then restored in heavily Christian Indian state
The March 28 reversal by the Manipur government came within 24 hours after Manipur Gov. Anusuiya Uikey canceled the Easter... Read more
Incidents of violence and persecution against Christians shoot up in India
Violence and persecution against minority Christians, who account for only 2.3% of India’s 1.41 billion people, have been on a... Read more
Despite Church warnings, tigers and elephants threaten lives in Kerala, India
The Catholic Church in Kerala has been leading the charge in urging the government to take decisive action to protect... Read more
Vatican authorizes opening of cause for canonization for 13-year-old Filipina girl
The grave of Niña Ruiz-Abad, a 13-year-old girl who died in 1993 in the Philippines, has become a place of... Read more
Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law won’t affect seal of confession, diocese says
The Diocese of Hong Kong on Friday issued a statement that the seal of confession would not be violated under... Read more
New Zealand Cardinal Dew denies allegations amid Vatican investigation into alleged abuse
The inquiry was launched after a police investigation concluded without charges. Read more
Indian Cardinal Ferrão to head Asian bishops’ conference amid Church’s continued growth
Despite a sharp decline in Church membership in Western Europe and North America, the Church in Asia has experienced continued... Read more
Australian bishop Christopher Saunders arrested, charged with rape
The charges came after the Vatican turned over to civil authorities its findings on allegations that Christopher Saunders abused vulnerable... Read more
