Asia - Pacific News

A view of the Opera House in the port zone of Sydney.

Catholic groups warn Australian lawmakers: No such thing as ‘harmless’ pornography

Apr 15, 2025

By Daniel Payne

The Parliament of New South Wales in Australia recently began public hearings for its inquiry into the “impacts of harmful... Read more

Photo illustration.

Traffickers pose as Christian missionaries in Thailand to entrap victims

Apr 11, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Here is a roundup of Catholic world news that you might have missed this week. Read more

At a leper colony in the Kon Tum area in Vietnam, Pontifical Missions Society USA President Monsignor Roger Landry celebrated Mass, brought Communion to people, and distributed food and sandals.

Pontifical Mission Societies USA visits Vietnamese leper colony

Apr 11, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

At a leper colony in Vietnam, Pontifical Mission Societies USA President Monsignor Roger Landry celebrated Mass, brought Communion, and distributed... Read more

Parliament House, Canberra, Australia.

Australia election features rare contest between Catholic candidates

Apr 11, 2025

By AC Wimmer

When Australians head to the polls on May 3, they’ll choose between two leaders who identify as Catholic, though both... Read more

Christians protest a recent attack on Catholics in Jabalpur on April 1, 2025.

Indian bishops condemn assault on Catholic pilgrims and priests at Jabalpur

Apr 3, 2025

By Anto Akkara

Allegedly injured in the assault was the vicar general and procurator of Jabalpur, who reportedly rushed to safeguard the pilgrims... Read more

Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, Myanmar.

Myanmar cardinal after earthquake: People need everything, including peace

Mar 31, 2025

By Walter Sánchez Silva

“The people need food, shelter, medicine, and all lifesaving materials,” Cardinal Charles Bo said, adding: “More than anything, our people... Read more

A view of the Opera House in the port zone of Sydney.

Australian election: Bishops say Catholics have a vital role in shaping nation’s future 

Mar 31, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Australian bishops on Sunday said the country’s Catholics have a vital role to promote the common good when they head... Read more

Christian families displaced by the violence in India's Odisha state in 2008.

Catholic leaders warn of opposition to Christian burials and religious practices in India

Mar 31, 2025

By Anto Akkara

The group sounded the alarm after making a fact-finding visit to several remote areas under the Balasore Diocese in the... Read more

A wildfire blazes next to a stone lantern of family tomb in Andong, South Korea, on March 26, 2025. At least 18 people have been killed in one of South Korea’s worst wildfire outbreaks, with multiple blazes burning and causing “unprecedented damage,” the acting president said.

Pope Francis sends condolences after South Korea wildfires destroy thousands of homes

Mar 28, 2025

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has expressed his sorrow for the victims of the devastating wildfires in South Korea, which killed 28 people... Read more

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Australian study finds ‘lifelong benefits’ to Catholic education

Mar 27, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

The study found that Catholic school attendees were more likely on average to be employed and to earn higher wages... Read more

A Christian boy holds a crucifix during a protest in Karachi on Aug. 22, 2023, to condemn the attack on churches in Pakistan. More than 80 Christian homes and 19 churches were vandalized in an hourslong riot in Jaranwala in Punjab province on Aug. 16 after unverified reports that a Koran had been desecrated.

Young Christian in Pakistan brutally attacked for refusing to convert to Islam

Mar 26, 2025

By Andrés Henríquez

Aid to the Church in Need reported the attack, pointing to it as yet another example of “the persistent religious... Read more

Former Philippines president Rodrigo R. Duterte has been arrested on a warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity.

Rodrigo Duterte, ex-Philippine president, arrested for alleged crimes against humanity

Mar 11, 2025

By Jonah McKeown

The country’s bishops had long been vocal in their opposition to Duterte, including his “war on drugs,” and opposed his... Read more

The ecumenical World Day of Pray was held on the island of Roratonga in the Cook Islands on March 7, 2025.

Cook Islands hosts ecumenical World Day of Prayer

Mar 7, 2025

By Kristina Millare

The World Day of Prayer International Community has held prayer services in various countries — including the U.S., Hong Kong,... Read more

Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ, archbishop of Hong Kong, China

Cardinal Chow in tears during prayer for Pope Francis at China’s Sheshan basilica

Mar 4, 2025

By Courtney Mares

“I was genuinely touched, and I found myself in tears during the prayer,” Chow told the Sunday Examiner, the official... Read more

At left, funeral of Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win (pictured at right), martyred in Myanmar on Feb. 14, 2025.

‘I only kneel before God’: The last words of priest killed in Myanmar

Feb 25, 2025

By Andrés Henríquez

Two women who witnessed the murder of Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win in Myanmar last week recounted how the... Read more

Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win.

44-year-old priest murdered amid Myanmar civil war

Feb 19, 2025

By Walter Sánchez Silva

According to the Vatican agency Fides, the priest’s body was found by some members of the faithful around 6 a.m.... Read more

The 26 new priests of the Archdiocese of Seoul give their first blessing after the ordination ceremony on Feb. 7, 2025.

Archdiocese of Seoul in South Korea inaugurates ‘the era of 1,000 priests’

Feb 13, 2025

By Andrés Henríquez

The Archdiocese of Seoul in South Korea has reached “the era of 1,000 priests” upon ordaining 26 new priests for... Read more

Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia.

Myanmar cathedral bombed days after its establishment: ‘We will rebuild’

Feb 11, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

Less than two weeks before the bombing, on Jan. 25, Pope Francis designated the church a cathedral for the newly-formed... Read more

Catholics await the arrival of bishops in front of the Catholic church in Nandagiri, India, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.

Nearly 2 dozen bishops visit remote community of ‘banished’ Catholics in eastern India

Feb 7, 2025

By Anto Akkara

Christians performed traditional animist dances with men wearing buffalo horns while women in colorful dresses offered flower bouquets to each... Read more

An aerial view of tents installed at Sangam ahead of Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Jan. 7, 2025.

Indian bishops mourn stampede deaths at massive Hindu festival attended by millions

Feb 3, 2025

By Anto Akkara

“It is heartbreaking to witness such a calamity during a sacred event that draws millions in devotion,” Cardinal Filipe Neri... Read more