Asia - Pacific News

The Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia.

Civil claim brought against Cardinal Pell and Australian Archdiocese

Jul 14, 2022

By AC Wimmer

An Australian court on Thursday heard from the lawyer representing a man seeking legal action against the Catholic Church and... Read more

Participants in the Church in Australia's Plenary Council in Sydney, July 9, 2022.

As Catholic Church in Australia ends plenary council, members hope for lasting impact

Jul 12, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

The Catholic Church in Australia has concluded its Fifth Plenary Council. After months of debate and discussion on Church governance... Read more

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Human rights advocates respond after Pope Francis says Vatican-China deal ‘moving well’

Jul 6, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Human rights advocates have raised concerns about heightened restrictions on Christians in China after Pope Francis expressed hope that the... Read more

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Hong Kong. Credit: Volodymyr Dvornyk/Shutterstock

Hong Kong missionary head reportedly warned Chinese repression could worsen

Jul 5, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A Catholic priest overseeing missionaries serving in Hong Kong reportedly told the missionaries that they should prepare for a much... Read more

A protest of the coup d'etat in Hpa-An, the capital of Karen State, Burma, on Feb. 9, 2021. Credit: Ninjastrikers (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Amid Burma conflict, diocese bans two priests from political involvement

Jun 29, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

A Catholic diocese in Burma has ordered two priests to stop participating in politics and posting on social media against... Read more

St. Matthew Catholic Church appears gutted by fire, allegedly set by government soldiers, in eastern Myanmar on June 15, 2022.

Myanmar troops set fire to Catholic church, rebel group says

Jun 16, 2022

By CNA Staff

Soldiers of the military junta that controls Myanmar have frequently attacked Catholic churches and other civilian targets. Read more

Archbishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili, who will be made a cardinal Aug. 27, says Mass April 9, 2016.

East Timor cardinal-elect 'almost fainted' when he heard Pope Francis had chosen him

May 31, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

The newest — and first — cardinal-elect of the island nation of East Timor says he was completely surprised by... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun departs the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.

Cardinal Zen appears in court in Hong Kong

May 24, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The date set for Cardinal Zen’s trial is Sept. 19. Read more

Credit: Photographee.eu / Shutterstock.

Final Australian state allows euthanasia and assisted suicide, rejecting religious exemptions

May 19, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

New South Wales has become the sixth and final Australian state to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. Its legislation forces... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Cardinal Zen may be in Hong Kong court next week

May 17, 2022

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun is scheduled to appear in court May 24, according to a report by the British daily... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

International community laments Cardinal Zen's 'precarious' position

May 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

The arrest this week of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun in Hong Kong continues to attract international condemnation, with the U.S.... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Cardinal Zen released on bail

May 11, 2022

By CNA Staff

The news emerged shortly after the Vatican said that it was concerned to hear of reports of his arrest. Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, speaks at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.

Former Hong Kong bishop Cardinal Zen arrested

May 11, 2022

By CNA Staff

The 90-year-old was reportedly detained in his role as a trustee of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund. Read more

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Perth, Australia.

Australia’s Catholic bishops elect new leader

May 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth is the first member of a religious order to lead Australia’s bishops’ conference. Read more

Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar emeritus of Southern Arabia

Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, retires

May 2, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

He led the Catholic Church on the Arabian peninsula for 17 years. Read more

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Hong Kong. Credit: Volodymyr Dvornyk/Shutterstock

Hong Kong priest: China trying to control religion in Hong Kong

Apr 26, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Speaking publicly under his own name for the first time, a Hong Kong priest says the Chinese Communist Party is... Read more

Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart

Self-sabotaging Catholicism won't help Australia, archbishop says of plenary council prep

Apr 13, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

At a time when Catholicism in Australia faces crises such as a loss of faith and declining religious practice, a... Read more

Myanmar, also known as Burma, is a country in Southeast Asia.

UPDATE: Soldiers searching for weapons leave Burma cathedral

Apr 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

Government soldiers departed from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and its compound in downtown Mandalay Saturday after a thorough... Read more

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Mandalay, Burma.

Burmese archbishop remains under house arrest; 'We are all praying,' priest says

Apr 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

Residents of downtown Mandalay remain on edge as a military occupation of the Catholic archdiocesan compound continues for a second... Read more

Sacred Heart Cathedral in Mandalay, Burma.

Burmese soldiers invade Catholic cathedral, detain archbishop

Apr 8, 2022

By CNA Staff

Approximately 40 Burmese soldiers forcibly took control of a Catholic cathedral in Mandalay on Friday and detained an archbishop and... Read more