Asia - Pacific News

Catholics celebrate Christmas Mass at the Nativity of Our Lady Church on Dec. 24, 2019, in Macau, China.

Christian population shrinking in China amid ‘crackdown’

Dec 15, 2023

By Zelda Caldwell

This finding, human rights activists told CNA, is not surprising given the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts in recent years to... Read more

The offertory at the installation Mass for the new Archbishop of Imphal Archdiocese, Linus Neli, on Dec. 8, 2023..

More than 10,000 Indian Catholics welcome new archbishop in conflict-torn Manipur

Dec 11, 2023

By Anto Akkara

More than 10,000 Catholics from across the state of Manipur attended the Dec. 8 installation of the new archbishop of... Read more

Cardinal George Alencherry preaches at St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Ernakulam, India, on Palm Sunday 2021.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of head of Syro-Malabar Church, Cardinal Alencherry

Dec 7, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Pope Francis on Thursday accepted the resignation of Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, based in... Read more

Father Caleb Laldawngsanga leads refugees from violence-torn Manipur in the praying of a rosary.

Refugees of ethnic clash in India find open arms in majority-Christian state

Dec 6, 2023

By Anto Akkara

“We are grateful to God [that] we are safe here,” said Mercy Tungdian, who now lives with her three small... Read more

Military personnel stand guard at the entrance of a gymnasium while police investigators (background) look for evidence after a bomb attack at Mindanao State University in Marawi in the southern Philippines on Dec. 3, 2023.

Pope Francis prays for victims of bombing of Catholic Mass in the Philippines

Dec 4, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Dec. 3 blast in a university gymnasium. Read more

Military personnel stand guard at the entrance of a gymnasium while police investigators look for evidence after a bomb attack at a Catholic Mass at Mindanao State University in Marawi, Lanao del sur province in the southern Philippines on Dec. 3, 2023. At least three people were killed and seven wounded, officials said.

At least three killed in explosion during Mass on Philippine campus

Dec 3, 2023

By Shannon Mullen

Authorities are investigating whether Islamic insurgents were responsible for the blast. Read more

This photo taken on October 12, 2014, shows the exterior of a church in Loikaw, Kayah state, eastern Myanmar.

Catholic cathedral complex bombed, bishop flees with refugees in worsening Myanmar civil war

Nov 29, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

The pastoral center of Christ the King Cathedral in Loikaw, Myanmar, was bombed on Nov. 26 and occupied by the... Read more

This work of art was displayed at St. Peter's on the occasion of the Vatican's Celebration of the Canonization of 117 Vietnamese Martyrs on July 19, 1988.

St. Andrew Dung-Lac and companions: vanguards of the faith in a time of persecution

Nov 24, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

On Nov. 24, the Church remembers and honors St. Andrew Dung-Lac and his companions, a group of 117 martyrs who... Read more

World Youth Day pilgrims in Panama City from the Archdiocese of Seoul.

Archbishop to invite young North Koreans to next World Youth Day in Seoul

Nov 23, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick shared this week that he plans to invite a youth delegation from North Korea to the... Read more

Jimmy Lai at a Hong Kong protest.

Hong Kong lawmaker blasts Catholic bishops’ petition for release of Jimmy Lai 

Nov 21, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

“I advise those religious leaders to know when to quit, or else they will have a heavy price to pay,”... Read more

Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the state-managed Catholic organization in mainland China controlled by the CCP’s United Front Work Department.

China’s top patriotic bishop stresses unity, sinicization to guide evangelization

Nov 20, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

After a three-day visit to Hong Kong, Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing stressed the importance of building unity. Read more

Archbishop Li Shan of Beijing, president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the state-managed Catholic organization in mainland China controlled by the CCP’s United Front Work Department.

Beijing archbishop becomes first to visit Hong Kong since Chinese revolution

Nov 14, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The archbishop of Beijing is visiting Hong Kong in a trip that marks a historic first since the Chinese Communist... Read more

null

Shanghai bishop calls on faithful to support Chinese Community Party’s ‘sinicization’ of Church  

Nov 10, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Bishop Joseph Shen Bin was unilaterally appointed as bishop of Shanghai in April without a papal mandate. Read more

Flag of the People's Republic of China.

China’s new ‘Patriotic Education Law’ places further limits on religious instruction

Nov 9, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The new law would require churches and religious groups to adapt their educational activities to promote the party’s official ideology. Read more

Hong Kong media tycoon and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

Catholic bishops call on Hong Kong government to release pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai

Nov 8, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Ten bishops from around the world have called for the release of Lai, who was originally arrested in August 2020... Read more

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Holy Virgin Mary, Moscow, Russia.

Moscow Archdiocese urges return of memorial for bishop imprisoned by Stalin regime

Oct 27, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Earlier this month, plaques dedicated to political and religious prisoners who died at Vladimir Central Prison under the communist regime... Read more

Photos of martyred Christians at a public event in Bhubaneswar in 2010.

Vatican puts 35 Catholic ‘martyrs of Kandhamal’ in India on road to sainthood

Oct 26, 2023

By Anto Akkara

The Christians were killed in the 2008 Christian persecution that took place in the remote jungle district of the eastern... Read more

Pope Francis on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, appointed Father Richard Laurenson as the new bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton in northern New Zealand.

Pope Francis appoints long-standing parish priest as New Zealand bishop

Oct 25, 2023

By Kate Cavanaugh

Pope Francis on Wednesday appointed Father Richard Laurenson as the new bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton in northern New... Read more

Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo blesses refugee Christians at Barakhama in Kandhamal in January 2008.

Thousands mourn Indian Cardinal Telesphore Toppo at funeral Mass

Oct 11, 2023

By Anto Akkara

Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo, Asia’s first tribal cardinal who died on Oct. 4, was remembered for his humility, simplicity, and... Read more

Indian Cardinal Telesphore Toppo arrives for a meeting of pre-conclave on March 9, 2013, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis remembers Cardinal Toppo of India for ‘zeal for the spread of the Gospel’

Oct 6, 2023

By Joe Bukuras

Cardinal Telesphore Toppo was the “first and only cardinal of the tribal communities of Asia,” said Archbishop Andrews Thazhath. Read more