Asia - Pacific News
South Korea proposes new law allowing abortion up to 14 weeks
South Korea’s National Assembly is considering a proposal to allow abortion up to 14 weeks as the deadline approaches to... Read more
Zen challenges Parolin over China deal claims
Cardinal Joseph Zen has rejected claims that the 2018 Vatican-China deal was approved in draft form by Pope Benedict XVI,... Read more
Catholic Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai: ‘The Lord is suffering with me’
A recently arrested Hong Kong entrepreneur and media executive said this week that he plans to stay in Hong Kong... Read more
Investigate China for Uighur persecution, 39 nations tell UN
The United States joined 38 other countries Tuesday in signing a joint statement to the United Nations condemning Chinese human... Read more
Catholic bishops in Queensland aim to educate on sanctity of life
The bishops of the five dioceses in Australia's Queensland state have written a pastoral letter urging that euthanasia and assisted... Read more
Chinese bishop resigns as deadline for renewing Vatican deal nears
Ahead of the expected renewal of the Vatican-China deal this month, the former underground bishop of Mindong has announced his... Read more
Catholic diocese in Vietnam builds new seminary amid rising vocations
A diocese in northern Vietnam is expanding its seminary in response to an increasing number of priestly vocations. Read more
Cardinal Pell thanks Pope Francis after Cardinal Becciu resigns
Cardinal George Pell thanked Pope Francis Friday following the dramatic resignation of Vatican Cardinal Angelo Becciu. Read more
Uyghur detention centers in Xinjiang expanding, researchers find
Researchers at an Australian think tank have found that re-education camps for Muslims in China's Xinjiang region have expanded in... Read more
House passes bill to fight import of goods from Uyghur labor camps
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a bill to ensure goods sold in the U.S. are not made with... Read more
Vatican Cardinal Tagle recovers from coronavirus
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the head of the Vatican’s evangelization congregation, has reportedly recovered from the coronavirus. Read more
Xinjiang officials admit large drop in birth rate, attribute it to family planning
The government of China's Xinjiang autonomous region has acknowledged that birth rates there fell by nearly a third in 2018,... Read more
China restates ‘one China’ policy on Taiwan in question on Vatican talks
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has underscored the country’s insistence that Taiwan not be recognized as... Read more
Cardinal Zen: Church is losing ‘credibility’ to evangelize China
The former Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, has warned that the Church’s efforts to negotiate an extension... Read more
Report: Chinese government imprisoning more priests, bishops
The Chinese government continues to imprison Catholic clergy - including bishops - who refuse to support the Communist Party, according... Read more
Investigation of 'suspicious fire' at Australian cathedral underway
A fire that burned some of the sacristy and part of the roof of St. Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore, Australia... Read more
‘I will die with them and for them’: Franciscan friar who survived Syrian War dies of COVID-19
When asked by his superior if he wanted to leave Aleppo during the Syrian Civil War, Fr. Edward Tamer replied... Read more
Taiwan foreign ministry: Vatican-China deal will not affect diplomatic recognition
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said Tuesday that it has received assurances from the Vatican regarding the renewal of the Vatican-China deal. Read more
Catholics say religious ed plan defies doctrine, while diocese defends curriculum
Catholics, including some local priests, have said a proposed diocesan catechetical curriculum in Australia promotes views on gender identity and human... Read more
Western Australian legislative committee recommends preserving confessional seal
Religious ministers should not be required to violate the seal of confession to report child sex abuse, a committee of... Read more
