Asia - Pacific News
Catholic leaders warn Philippine divorce bill lacks sufficient debate
Catholic leaders in the Philippines have voiced concern that a bill aiming to legalize divorce is progressing without significant debate. Read more
Syro-Malabar archdiocese opens sainthood cause of Vincentian founder
The cause for beatification of Father Varkey Kattarath, founder of the Vincentian Congregation, was opened Wednesday at a ceremony in... Read more
Bangladesh court signals support for ban on prenatal gender detection
The High Court in Bangladesh has asked the government to justify its continued allowance of prenatal gender detection technology, which... Read more
New disaster relief initiative unveiled in Australia
Catholic leaders in Australia have announced the creation of a new disaster response initiative to aid those affected by devastating... Read more
Chinese churches closed in response to coronavirus
As the deadly coronavirus continues to spread in China, church services in some areas have been cancelled for this weekend. Read more
US bishops offer prayers after Americans killed fighting wildfires in Australia
Committee leaders at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops voiced prayers and sorrow at the deaths of three American crew... Read more
Filipino bishops urge caution amid coronavirus report
Filipino Church leaders have urged parishioners to be extra cautious amidst a deadly outbreak of coronavirus, which has affected hundreds... Read more
Chinese bishop and priests evicted over 'fire safety'
Chinese officials have evicted members of the clergy, including a bishop, from their homes and are closing Catholic parishes in... Read more
Vatican picks Hong Kong bishop, delays announcement
Hong Kong has been without a diocesan bishop since the death of Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung in January 2019, after... Read more
Founder of Protestant movement returns to Catholic Church
The founder of a prominent non-denominational movement in India has returned to the Catholic faith of his baptism, after more... Read more
Sydney archbishop encourages relief donations amid Australia fires
Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney urged Mass attendees Sunday to pray for an end to the Australia fires, which have... Read more
Lima archbishop offers 'clarification' on controversial Eucharist remarks
After controversial remarks last week, the Archbishop of Lima said Thursday that he did not intend to undermine the importance... Read more
Cardinal Pell transferred to new maximum-security prison
Cardinal George Pell has reportedly been transferred out of the Melbourne prison in which he has been incarcerated for more... Read more
India Catholics aim to build 100-foot Jesus statue, despite Hindu criticism
Catholics in India are seeking to erect the nation’s tallest statue of Jesus, over objections by Hindu groups who say... Read more
Catholic persecution worse after Vatican-China deal, Congress finds
A new U.S. government report says that human rights abuse in China has worsened in the last year, and specifically highlighted the... Read more
Iranian nuncio appeals for negotiation, not revenge
As tensions escalate between Iran and the United States following the killing of Qasem Soleimani, the pope’s diplomat in Tehran... Read more
China announces new crackdown on religious freedom
China will enforce new restrictions on religious groups, organizations, meetings, and other related events starting on Feb 1. Read more
Church in India won't host next Asian Youth Day
Church officials in India have said the nation will not host the 2021 Asian Youth Day as planned, ucanews reported... Read more
Supreme Court of the Philippines rejects petition to legalize same-sex marriage
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has reiterated its dismissal of a petition to redefine marriage in the country to... Read more
As fires continue to burn, Australian bishop calls for prayer, support
As fires throughout parts of Australia continue to worsen, the Archbishop of Melbourne called for prayers and encouraged Catholics to... Read more
