03/11/2014KOREA - VATICAN Bishop of Daejeon: The Pope's visit, a source of hope and strength for youth of Asia by Lazzaro You Heung-sik Bishop Lazzaro You Heung- sik will host the Sixth Asian Youth Day in the presence of Pope Francis. In a letter to the faithful and to the diocesan clergy, he invites Catholics to take a cue from the Pope's visit to "go beyond a childish faith, always intent to ask for something for us. Strive to become adults in the faith, with thanksgiving and sharing ". Daejeon
(AsiaNews) - The Pope's visit to Korea "is a source of hope and strength
for the youth of Asia" and an opportunity "for a decisive change of
direction, so that the Korean people and Church - so often weighed...
03/11/2014CHINA - IRAN - UNITED STATES Beijing overtakes Tehran as America's 'number 1 enemy' Iran topped America's list of hostile nations since 2006. Rising threats elsewhere and Iran's steps towards nuclear disarmament push it into second place. North Korea still ranks among the first.
03/11/2014SYRIA - LEBANON Exchanged for the wife of an al Qaeda member, Ma'aloula Sisters shout "Allah Akbar" by Paul Dakiki In a video, the nuns are seen thanking everyone, including the kidnappers, and calling on God to bless them. The al-Nusra Front pledges to continue its efforts until all prisoners are freed from Syrian jails. Reports says a ransom of US$ 4 million, but mediators deny.
03/11/2014JAPAN After three years, Japan stops to honour the victims of the Great Earthquake On 11 March 2011, nature unleashed its fury against the Sendai region. More than 18,000 people died and about half a million abandoned their homes. Three years later, some 267,000 survivors are still forced to live in temporary shelters. An additional 3,000 and more have taken their life. The Church, Mgr Kikuchi said, will continue to help "locals," but "It is clear that the main role in the reconstruction of the areas" belongs to them.
03/11/2014INDIA - VATICAN For Card Gracias, Pope Francis' first year centred on the Church's first task, the mission by Card. Oswald Gracias The archbishop of Mumbai gives his thoughts. "Since his election, Francis has strengthened the mission of the Church in India, focusing on 'an option for the poor' as a concrete way of proclaiming God's love in today's world."
03/11/2014VIETNAM Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia find common ground against Beijing's "imperialism" by Paul N. Hung Southeast Asian nations are increasingly concerned over repeated attacks by Chinese (paramilitary) boats against their fishing and commercial vessels. Hanoi stands with Manila as the latter sues China over maritime boundaries in an international court. Malaysia also join the fray, worried over Chinese incursion near James Island.
03/11/2014KOREA - VATICAN Francis in Korea, five days for young people and for peace in Asia The program of the papal visit is not yet official, but several sources tell AsiaNews that in addition to the Asian Youth Day and the beatification of the 124 Korean martyrs, the Pope will visit a home for the disabled and homeless, the birthplace of St. Andrew Kim Taegon and the fortress where the first Korean Catholics were martyred. A planned visit to the "Cathedral of Reconciliation " in Paju, on the border with the North.
03/11/2014LEBANON - VATICAN Cadillac used 50 years ago by Pope Paul VI is offered for Pope Francis' visit to the Holy Land by Fady Noun The car has great symbolic value. Provided by King Hussein of Jordan to Paul VI, the car was later given to the Maronite Patriarch el-Meouchi after the papal pilgrimage. Carefully maintained over the decades, the car is currently undergoing renovation at a specialised car repair shop in Lebanon.
03/11/2014IRAQ Chaldean Patriarchate and Caritas Iraq aid Muslim families fleeing violence by Joseph Mahmoud A delegation led by Mar Sako visited the Sunni mosque of Umm al- Qura , west of the capital , and distributed food and medicine. His Beatitude expresses "solidarity" with the displaced from Fallujah and Ramadi who have fled from the al Qaeda militias. He invites all to pray to God "so the country may return to normal". Muslim leader : "Fraternity , characteristic of Iraqi Christians".
03/11/2014INDONESIA Indonesian Church urges citizens to vote to fight corruption and political crisis by Mathias Hariyadi In 2014 the country will vote in two crucial elections: the general elections in April and presidential elections in July. The electorate is discouraged, tired of the "same faces" and calls for a renewal of the ruling class. The Catholic leadership promotes education and calls for active participation in the democratic process.
03/10/2014ASIA - PIME Eighty-five years of grace and joy by Piero Gheddo With, as his passion, the Christian message to proclaim as a missionary and journalist, Fr Gheddo is grateful to his parents and teachers. After 61 years as a priest, it is still great to be a priest. As he marks his birthday, he offers it as an invitation to young people.
03/10/2014MALAYSIA - CHINA - VIETNAM Kuala Lumpur: terrorism suspected in the disappearance of a Malaysia Airlines flight There is still no news about flight MH370. All leads remain open. The authorities deny claims that pieces of the wreckage were found. One of two passengers who boarded the plane with a stolen passport has been identified. Malaysian authorities come under increasing pressure to shed light on the incident.
03/10/2014VATICAN - KOREA Seoul and Vatican confirm the Pope to visit Korea The Pope 's trip will take place August 14 to 18 , 2014. Francis will preside at the Mass of beatification of 124 Korean martyrs, a mass for peace with North Korea in mind and he will participate in the Asian Youth Day in the Diocese of Daejeon.
03/10/2014BANGLADESH Caritas Bangladesh opens new facility for typhoon victims by Sumon Corraya A local government official, a Muslim, inaugurates the new building, thanks Caritas for its work on behalf of "local residents". The new facility has solar panels and a big safe water tank, and will be used as a short-term disaster rescue centre as well as long-term shelter. Caritas runs about 250 such shelters in Bangladesh's coastal regions.
