| INDIA

In the year when the Islamic holy month and Lent overlap, Profs Gaetano Sabetta and Nadjia Kebour of the Pontifical Urbaniana University and Jesuit Fr Victor Edwin have coordinated an initiative of interfaith dialogue between Rome and India as a way to learn to “disagree better”, respecting each other.

 

by Santosh Digal

Renamed the 'Lasallian Institute for Evangelisation and Catechesis', it has been training religion teachers for public schools in the capital and other areas of the country since 1952. Archbishop Fisichella praised its commitment "in the development of leadership in catechesis and faith education".

| 18/03/2024
| PHILIPPINES

An investigation reveals the effects of an amendment passed in November affecting thousands of people. The seizures are aimed at creating 'reserve building areas', a temporary measure to speed up recovery. Citizens protest: 'We are able to repair our homes'. 

| 18/03/2024
| TURKEY
by Vladimir Rozanskij

After the plebiscite re-election of the Russian president in the midst of the war even the former Soviet republics of Central Asia are wondering about the repercussions. Many experts believe that in the new mandate there will be a renewed interest of Moscow in the whole area. The knot of Asian migrants.

| 18/03/2024
| RUSSIA - CENTRAL ASIA

Francis expressed relief at the release of a teacher and four religious in Haiti, seized by criminal gangs. He urges the faithful to pray for “populations tormented by war”, especially Syrians, crushed by 13 years of war.

| 17/03/2024
| VATICAN

Goa’s BJP chief minister has asked the Prime Minister Modi to renew the invitation he made in 2021 to the pope to visit India. Set for 21 November 2024-5 January 2025, the decennial exposition attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India. But some fear the announcement is just an electioneering move to woo Christian voters in the coming spring general elections.

| 17/03/2024
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA

In contrast to Europe, Turkey is increasingly focusing on fossil fuels taking advantage of falling prices. According to Ember, coal use for power generation in the country has gone from 25 per cent in 2013 to 36 per cent today. In 2023, more than US$ 3.7 billion were spent on coal imports.

| 16/03/2024
| TURKEY – RUSSIA
Editor's choices
 
On the ninth anniversary of his death, a Eucharistic celebration marked the end of the local investigation towards the beatification of the young man who died protecting others during a deadly Islamist attack in Youhanabad. “We pray for this grace ...
| 15/03/2024
| PAKISTAN
 
Baek Kwang-soon, 53, is being held on espionage charges. The Love Rice Sharing Foundation, a Protestant charity he works for, says that “all sorts of Russians, Thai and North Korean workers” are “in need, and we provide them with clothes, ...
| 13/03/2024
| RUSSIA - SOUTH KOREA
 
Inaugurated by Modi in the foothills of the Himalayas, it will facilitate connections in Arunachal Pradesh, including military links to the de facto border with the People's Republic of China. Claiming sovereignty over the region, Beijing issued ...
| 12/03/2024
| CHINA - INDIA
 
Hong Kong’s Legislative Council is set to fast track the approval of a national security bill tabled today that imposes unprecedented restrictions to all forms of freedom in the former British colony, including life in prison for “treason” ...
| 08/03/2024
| HONG KONG - CHINA
 
The worst case is Myanmar, where both the regular army and armed resistance make extensive use of landmines. Almost half of the countries that are not signatories to the UN treaty are in Asia or the Middle East. In Southeast Asia region, Cambodia has ...
| 01/03/2024
| ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
The 2024 Niwano Peace Prize, the “Nobel Prize for Religions" was given to a Sufi Muslim, who teaches at the American University in Washington, for his "holistic contribution to the cause of peace”. After the Hamas attack sparked Israel's ...
| 27/02/2024
| GATEWAY TO THE EAST
 
An image of Christ on the cross painted in Stanley Prison by the Catholic businessman on trial under the National Security Act is on display at the Catholic University of Washington. Meanwhile Agnes Chow from Canada recounts her imprisonment in Hong ...
| 27/02/2024
| HONG KONG - UNITED STATES
 
by Santosh Digal
The archbishop of Goa was elected today in Bangkok by the heads of the continent's Bishops' Conferences. Next January he will become the third Indian to head the collegial body, taking over from Card Bo, Archbishop of Yangon, who led the organisation ...
| 22/02/2024
| ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”