Asia - Pacific News
Sister Agnes Sasagawa, Our Lady of Akita visionary, dies at 93
Sister Agnes Sasagawa, a Japanese nun who purported visions of the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of... Read more
New Zealand Church’s safeguarding efforts praised, but report highlights need for action
An assessment of Catholic safeguarding protocols in New Zealand highlighted progress in many areas while also pointing to the need... Read more
Australian archbishop calls for faith protections in wake of shelved religious bill
“It is regrettable that such important legislation is not proceeding,” Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli said in a statement. Read more
Hong Kong court rejects Catholic democracy activist Jimmy Lai’s appeal of 2021 conviction
Lai and other demonstrators had been convicted in 2021 of taking part in what the Hong Kong government had argued... Read more
3 Marian holy sites in the Muslim nation of Indonesia
Records dating back to the 16th century indicate that the first Catholic traditions in Indonesia were established following the first... Read more
The Nagasaki mission house built by St. Maximilian Kolbe that survived the atomic bomb
While the bombing devastated both the city of Nagasaki and its large Catholic population, the monastery of Seibo no Kishi... Read more
Jimmy Lai remains in solitary confinement after Hong Kong trial delayed until November
Media mogul and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai will remain in solitary confinement after a Hong Kong court delayed his national... Read more
Seoul paves the way for World Youth Day 2027 with launch event
The launch event for World Youth Day 2027 was held at the Myeongdong Cathedral on July 28 and drew more... Read more
Australian bishops release companion guide to address assisted suicide
In Australia, all six of the country’s states currently allow assisted suicide, or “voluntary assisted dying.” Read more
New Zealand commission finds Church guilty of ‘inadequate’ responses to abuse and neglect
The abuse commission conducted its study over six years. It is notably the most wide-ranging investigation into abuse and neglect... Read more
Led by bishops, Indian Christians mount pressure on government to curb atrocities
Amid ongoing attacks, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India has put pressure on the national government to address violence against... Read more
Australian bishop hails U.S. Eucharistic Congress as model for global Catholic renewal
The Sydney auxiliary bishop, observing the Indianapolis event, sees it as inspiration for Australia’s hosting of the 2028 International Eucharistic... Read more
Church leaders praise Pakistan amendment raising legal age for marriage of Christians
Pakistan’s National Assembly unanimously approved the raising of the minimum legal age for marriage to 18 earlier this month. Read more
Syro-Malabar Church in India initiates plan to resolve bitter liturgical feud
“The Holy Qurbana [Mass] should not be the reason for division in the Church,” Father Antony Vadakkekara, Church spokesperson, told... Read more
Top Catholic app reportedly removed from app store in China
Alex Jones, Hallow’s founder, posted on social media Monday afternoon that the app “just got kicked out of the App... Read more
Filipino bishops urge nation to ‘take a little more time’ before legalizing civil divorce
The Philippines is the only nation in the world, other than the Vatican, where divorce is still outlawed. Read more
11 Vietnamese Christians missing from detention amid religious freedom concerns
A report released July 5 claims the missing individuals were sentenced between 2011 and 2016 to a combined total of... Read more
Holy See encourages Catholics in Philippines to ‘listen to their pastors’ on divorce bill
The Absolute Divorce bill passed the Philippines’ House of Representatives on May 22 with 131 votes in favor of the... Read more
Cardinal calls for beatification, canonization of WWII heroine and nurse from Malaysia
Sybil Kathigasu is a heroine and lay martyr who protected information and housed and nursed local members of the anti-Japanese... Read more
Indonesian island set to become an international Catholic pilgrim destination
The government of Indonesia plans to boost religious tourism on Flores Island, famous for its history and Catholic heritage. Read more
