Asia - Pacific News

Chinese government official: No religion 'transcends nations'

Apr 3, 2018

A Chinese government official who oversees religious affairs said Tuesday that government restrictions on bishop appointments are not a violation... Read more

A young girl lights a candle at a Marian grotto in Pakistan.

Four Christians killed in Pakistan

Apr 3, 2018

Four members of a Christian family were killed by gunfire in the Pakistani city of Quetta on Monday in an... Read more

Priests concelebrate at the Miao diocese Chrism Mass on March 27, 2015.

What Holy Week looks like in a remote Indian diocese

Mar 31, 2018

By Carl Bunderson

In the Diocese of Miao, located in India's northeasternmost state of Arunachal Pradesh, Bishop George Pallipparambil does not stay quietly... Read more

Cardinal George Pell speaks with CNA at the Vatican March 17 2016.

Cardinal Pell's court hearing weighs evidence for abuse allegations

Mar 29, 2018

A hearing will that will decide whether Cardinal George Pell will go on trial for alleged abuse came to a... Read more

Chinese and Vatican flags.

Commentary: What will be gained from a deal with Beijing?

Mar 28, 2018

By Ed Condon

Ever since President Nixon famously “opened” China to the West, the country’s rise as an economic and political superpower has... Read more

Chinese authorities release bishop—but restrict his celebration of Mass

Mar 28, 2018

A Catholic bishop has been released by Chinese authorities after a short detention, but they have ordered him not to... Read more

Chinese pilgrims attend the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Oct. 12, 2016.

Chinese officials again detain underground bishop during Holy Week

Mar 27, 2018

Police have detained a Catholic bishop at the center of controversy over a possible agreement between the Vatican and China.  Read more

Child pornography charges increasing in Japan

Mar 26, 2018

Japan’s National Police Agency has reported that investigations for the possession and distribution of child pornography reached record levels in... Read more

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, outside Rome's Hotel Quirinale, March 3, 2016.

Australian court hears further testimony in Cardinal Pell abuse hearing

Mar 24, 2018

New accusations were brought forward and others were dropped this week, during a pre-trial hearing in an Australian court regarding... Read more

A Catholic church in Rantepao, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Catholics in Indonesia will be alert during Holy Week in light of church attacks

Mar 19, 2018

As there has been an increase in violence committed against parishes throughout Indonesia, Church officials in the country have urged... Read more

Legalizing divorce would devastate families, warn Philippines bishops

Mar 16, 2018

As the Philippines considers legalizing divorce, the nation’s bishops are speaking out against the measure, warning that it would be... Read more

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, speaks with CNA at the Vatican, March 17, 2016.

Alleged abuse victims testify against Cardinal Pell at Australian court hearing

Mar 15, 2018

Alleged victims of abuse of Cardinal George Pell gave testimonies this week during a hearing in an Australian court which... Read more

Tiwi children.

How one nun's lifelong service changed Australia's Tiwi community

Mar 13, 2018

By Elise Harris

For Sr. Anne Gardiner, a 62-year-long mission serving Australia's remote Tiwi indigenous population began with one simple instruction: “Love them.”  Read more

The flag of China.

In China, government-appointed bishops support Xi, Vatican-China deal

Mar 13, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Government-backed bishops have spoken out publicly in support of the Vatican-China deal in a Chinese media interview at the Chinese... Read more

The flags of North and South Korea.

Vatican's Korea diplomat to help bridge the gap between North and South

Mar 9, 2018

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican’s recent diplomatic appointment to South Korea gained added significance as President Donald Trump announced that he will meet... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen. Courtesy Photo.

Cardinal Zen: Vatican-China deal weakens the Church

Mar 8, 2018

Vatican diplomats’ efforts to reach an agreement with the Chinese government would turn bishops into government officials who cannot adequately... Read more

Chinese president Xi Jinping at a press conference after a meeting with the German chancellor in Berlin, July 5, 2017.

With lifelong rule by Xi Jinping, how will Christians fare in China?

Mar 6, 2018

By Courtney Mares

This month’s meeting of China’s National People’s Congress, convened March 5, will likely confirm a constitutional change eliminating term limits... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on September 2, 2015.

Pope prays for victims of devastating Papua New Guinea earthquake

Mar 6, 2018

Pope Francis is praying for all those affected by a major earthquake in Papua New Guinea this week, offering his... Read more

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, meets with child abuse victims outside Rome's Hotel Quirinale, March 3, 2016.

Cardinal Pell begins hearing in Australia over abuse charges

Mar 5, 2018

Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, arrived at a Melbourne court Monday to begin the first... Read more

Chinese flag.

Analysis: La Civiltà Cattolica and the 'sinicization' of Catholicism

Mar 2, 2018

By Andrea Gagliarducci

At the Chinese Communist Party’s 19th National Party Congress in October 2017, the country’s president, Xi Jinping, promised to “sinicize... Read more