Asia - Pacific News
Typhoon Goni hits Philippines, compounding damage of storms and coronavirus
Typhoon Goni has hit the Philippines, killing several people and causing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes... Read more
Report: Catholic nuns in China forced out of convent amid government harassment
Due to pressure from the Chinese government, eight Catholic nuns have reportedly been forced to leave their convent in the... Read more
Killing of catechist alarms Indonesia’s Catholic bishops
Catholic bishops in Indonesia met with government officials this week to express concern about the violence in Papua after a... Read more
Catholic girl in Pakistan in protective custody after abduction, forced marriage
Arzoo Raja, a 13-year-old Catholic girl in Pakistan whom a 44-year-old man allegedly kidnapped, forced to convert to Islam, and... Read more
Brunei's cardinal-elect says Catholic Church can't be a 'little bubble'
Cardinal-designate Cornelius Sim certainly was surprised to learn Pope Francis had chosen him to be one of 13 new cardinals. Read more
Indian bishop calls for investigation into report of attacks on Christians
An Indian activist and a local Catholic bishop are calling on a local government to investigate an alleged hate crime... Read more
Black Nazarene procession in Philippines canceled over coronavirus
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, civil and ecclesial authorities in the Philippines have agreed to cancel the Black Nazarene celebration... Read more
Pakistan Catholics protest after abduction, forced marriage of 13 year-old Catholic girl
Catholics in Pakistan are protesting a judge’s decision not to intervene after a 44-year-old man allegedly kidnapped a 13-year-old Catholic girl,... Read more
US Secretary of State visits a site of Sri Lanka’s 2019 Easter bombings
During a visit to Sri Lanka on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, one... Read more
Malaysia’s first cardinal dies at age 88
Malaysia’s first cardinal died Wednesday at the age of 88. Read more
China continued religious crackdown during renewal of Vatican deal
The Chinese government continued to enforce sweeping restrictions on religious freedom in the weeks prior to the renewal of an agreement with... Read more
Indian Jesuit remains in jail, despite call for release from Asian bishops and international groups
Fr. Stan Swamy, S.J., was arrested Oct. 8 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), India’s counter-terrorism task force. The Federation of... Read more
Australian state police rule out probe into Vatican money transfers during Pell trial
Police in the Australian state of Victoria said Friday that they have no plans for a further investigation into reports... Read more
Taiwan foreign ministry: Catholics in China are facing serious challenges
Taiwan’s foreign ministry responded by the renewal of the Sino-Vatican provisional agreement Thursday by highlighting the worsening religious freedom situation... Read more
Bishops in Kerala on hunger strike for Catholic education
Several bishops in Kerala held a day-long hunger strike Tuesday to protest the state government’s withholding of funds from Catholic... Read more
Alleged Vatican money transfers during Pell trial referred to police by Australian intelligence agency
The Australian financial intelligence agency has handed information to federal police concerning allegations that international money transfers, amounting to hundreds... Read more
Two minors killed during fighting between Burmese military, Arakan Army
United Nations officials in Burma said Wednesday that earlier this month, two boys were killed amid crossfire between the Tatmadaw,... Read more
Sri Lankan bishops oppose amendment that would strengthen presidency
Sri Lanka’s bishops said Tuesday that the country’s democracy would decay if parliament passes a constitutional amendment that would strengthen... Read more
Religion central to Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict
Religion is a central factor in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Christian advocates explained in a briefing on the conflict... Read more
Christian aid groups call for response after Armenian Orthodox cathedral shelled
A historical cathedral in Nagorno-Karabakh was attacked this week, and Armenia is accusing Azerbaijan of carrying out the attack. Read more
