Asia - Pacific News
North Korea reportedly detains Christian missionary
The North Korean government has allegedly detained a 75-year-old Christian missionary named John Short, possibly for distributing Christian pamphlets. Read more
Australian bishops emphasize St Valentine on his feast
The Australian bishops’ marriage and family council produced a resource kit for strengthening marriages for St. Valentine’s Day this year,... Read more
Indian bishops commit to renewal of Church, society
At their plenary assembly held Feb. 5-12, the Indian bishops discussed pastoral challenges in the nation and continuing the implementation... Read more
Church in Korea prayerful ahead of family reunions
As North and South Korea prepare for reunions for some families separated by the 1953 partition of the peninsula, the... Read more
Oil tanker strikes, knocks down, St. Anne statue in Thailand
A landmark 26 foot Thai statue of St. Anne revered by local fishermen was knocked down last week, after being... Read more
South Korea's cardinal-designate: a descendent of martyrs
Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, who will be given the red hat of a cardinal Feb. 22, is himself descended from... Read more
Churches offer refuge to Indonesians fleeing volcano
Following a Feb. 1 volcanic eruption on the Indonesian island Sumatra, the local Church has been providing shelter and assistance... Read more
Thai religious renew vows on Day for Consecrated Life
Vowed religious in Thailand gathered to celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life this weekend, fostering and encouraging religious life... Read more
Caritas Australia disappointed by government budget cuts
Even as the Australian government has reduced funding for foreign aid, the nation's branch of Caritas intends to continue its... Read more
Catholics' celebration of Lunar New Year centers on family
East Asian Catholics celebrating the Lunar New Year this weekend are focused on family ties and charity, particularly in the... Read more
Church in Papua New Guinea warns against sorcery, violence
Observing World Communications Day, Papua New Guinea Catholics gathered with local media to discuss charges of sorcery there, which often... Read more
Anti-superstition health drive launched after child dies in India
Negligence and blind faith led to the death of a student in far north-east India, and the Church there has... Read more
Burmese bishop sees 'new dawn' of hope for his nation
The bishop of Burma's largest city has written a New Year's message encouraging the Burmese to remain united and to... Read more
Sri Lankan Catholics rejoice in receiving Saint Sebastian relic
Catholics in Sri Lanka are celebrating the reception of a reliquary containing a fragment of the arm of St. Sebastian,... Read more
Christmas celebration in India promotes peace, harmony
Catholics gathered with those of other traditions last week in a city of South West India to celebrate Christmas with... Read more
Malaysian church choir seeks to balance Catholic, local traditions
The “Laudis” chamber choir based in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur is seeking to revive the tradition of sacred music... Read more
Study finds contraceptives boost breast cancer risk
A study by doctors in India suggests that women who regularly use oral contraceptives face almost ten times greater risk... Read more
Bangladeshi bishop calls for peace amid pre-election violence
As Bangladesh experiences widespread strikes and violent protests in the run-up to its parliamentary elections, the bishop of the nation's... Read more
Church in Papua New Guinea hosts training for journalists
The social communications office of the bishops' conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands recently held a series... Read more
Archbishop: Muslims, Christians united in fight for equality in India
Recent efforts from Christians and Muslims in India have united the communities to end the practice of untouchability, including a... Read more
