Asia - Pacific News
Philippines priestly formation program targets problem of homosexuality among seminarians
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’s new Program for Priestly Formation has included express guidelines to help seminary directors... Read more
Privatization of water ‘a sin’, says Catholic South African activist
While street protests in South Africa recall images of the fight against apartheid, the current struggle in the southern-most African... Read more
Catholic condemned to 10 months in prison and 300 lashings for mission work in Saudi Arabia
The Fides News Agency is reporting on a new call by Christians in India for the release of Brian Savio... Read more
Pope honors largest shrine to St. Joseph with Golden Rose
The largest shrine to St. Joseph in the world is now the rare recipient of a top Vatican honor. Pope... Read more
Catholic pharmacist fights for conscience clause, right to refuse to provide abortion drugs
Calgary pharmacist Maria Bizecki, who had been fired for refusing to fill prescriptions for the morning-after pill, says Catholics must... Read more
Carmelites sell oldest monastery in Canada
Seeking the peace and quiet needed for their monastic life, the Discalced Carmelites sold their first foundation house in Canada.... Read more
Bishops got tough reaction from Supreme Court of Canada
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops were met with skepticism from Canada’s highest-ranking justices when they presented their brief against... Read more
Same-sex marriage hearings begin in Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada began its three-day hearings on same-sex marriage today. The court is expected to hear 28... Read more
Thousands gather in Canada to end capital punishment, target public opinion in the U.S.
Juan Melendez, a native of Puerto Rico, spent 17 years, eight months and one day on death row in Florida... Read more
Urban monks set up first mission in North America
A thousand voices echoed through the large Montreal cathedral for sung vespers Sept. 25 during the welcoming ceremony for a... Read more
Same-sex marriage legal in another Canadian province, Supreme Court holds hearings next week
Yet another Canadian province legalized same-sex marriage, making it the sixth jurisdiction in the last 18 months. Read more
Indian bishops condemn attacks against Missionaries of Charity
The state of Kerala in southern India was the scene Sunday of a new attack on Catholics. This time, the... Read more
Church in China growing despite persecution
Aid to the Church in Need has issued a report saying the Catholic Church in China is growing despite communist... Read more
Quebec bishops respond to government’s news of late-term abortions
Late-term abortions should not be made available in Quebec, said the Assembly of Quebec Bishops in a statement Sept. 16.... Read more
Another Canadian province approves same-sex marriage
The fifth Canadian jurisdiction legalized same-sex marriage last week. Manitoba follows Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and the Yukon Territory in... Read more
Canada grants world’s first same-sex divorce
A lesbian couple was granted a same-sex divorce Sept. 13, just 15 months after they were married by an Ontario... Read more
Quebec to start granting late-term abortions in local clinic
Dozens of Canadian women must travel to the United States to receive late-term abortions. But Quebec health officials are “hopeful”... Read more
Canadian Church funds are still getting through to Iraqi people
The Canadian bishops’ aid and emergency-relief agency says its partner-agencies in Iraq are still operating in the war-torn country, despite... Read more
World’s largest shrine to St. Joseph celebrates 100 years
The world’s largest shrine dedicated to St. Joseph is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Read more
Religion, politics and love make for top prize at Montreal film fest
A love story, wrought with the tensions of politics, religion and cultural difference, won four prizes at this year’s Montreal... Read more
