03/03/2015TAIWAN Taiwan, conversion becomes mission even in the media by Xin Yage Dean Ferng received baptism last Christmas, after drawing near to the Catholic faith by the witness of Christians he met in his life: "They have a goal, a vision, they know where they want to go." He is now working to introduce the Pope more thanks to two documentaries, which will be aired on national television. Taipei (AsiaNews) - The decision to become a Catholic
"came from the witness of Christians that I saw around me. Their
personalities revealed a goal in their lives, they had a vision, they knew
where they wanted to go in...
03/01/2015VATICAN Pope: Let us not forget those who are suffering in Syria, Iraq and Venezuela; let us pray for them Francis comments the Gospel of the Transfiguration of Christ. "Jesus reveals himself as the perfect icon of the Father, the irradiation of his glory. It is the fulfilment of revelation. [. . .] Jesus' journey always leads us to happiness [. . .]. Love transfigures everything." The task he leaves for the disciples and the faithful is simple: "Listen to and follow the Saviour." After the Marian prayer, the Holy Father issued an appeal to the peoples of the Middle East, noting that "We are praying insistently for an end to the intolerable brutality of which they are victims."
02/27/2015CHINA - LATIN AMERICA China, a record 2014 for loans to Latin America Beijing has lent $ 22 billion a year to the South American continent and is poised to break the of 2010 record, when the figure touched 37 billion. Analysts warn: "China may tacitly require that Chinese companies have a hand in some projects". "Diplomacy of the yuan" continues to spread from Southeast Asia to Africa.
02/27/2015HONG KONG Hong Kong, employer who tortured Indonesia maid jailed for six years The case of Erwiana Sulistyaningsih rocked the former British colony. The immigrant, without friends or relatives, lived as a domestic worker in the home of Law Wan-tung: the woman abused her in every possible way and then tried to smuggle her home. The judge: "A regrettable story ". The victim: "Not completely satisfied"
02/26/2015CHINA China, first ever Holocaust commemoration for the Shanghai Ghetto This was announced by the World Jewish Congress. During the Japanese occupation, approximately 23 thousand Jews were closed into the area to pay homage to Hitler, Tokyo’s ally. Liberated on September 3, 1945, "it is a part of the extermination that is never remembered."
02/26/2015TAIWAN Lent in Taiwan: proclaiming the Gospel by defending migrants by Xin Yage Migrant workers face a tough situation on the island. Their rights are denied, their contracts are not respected, and some of them have been tortured by their employers. After years of legal and cultural struggles, things are getting better. The Church and its affiliated groups help workers become better integrated in their milieus. Mhike So's story illustrates this fight for justice for those who have none.
02/25/2015MACAO - CHINA Beijing's anti-corruption drive sinks Macau casinos Casino revenue in the former Portuguese colony slumped for the eight month in a row, leading casino shares to perform poorly on the benchmark Hang Seng Index. Macau authorities announce restrictions on mainland visitors. Xi Jinping urged the city to change direction.
02/25/2015CHINA The Chinese Church mourns Fr. Ye Yaomin, who died aged 105. He spent 25 years doing hard labor He was the oldest priest in the country. On his deathbed he prayed that new vocations for the local church flourish and condemned hate, which "is always a sin." Catholic sources tell AsiaNews: "He was the last of the 'elder' priests, ordained before the advent of Mao. They had kept the faith and dignity intact."
02/25/2015TAIWAN Taiwan, a Lent dedicated to evangelization by Xin Yage Chinese Catholics "no longer want to complain because they are few, but are beginning to work harder to make themselves better known and especially to share the Gospel. This period leading up to Easter must be rich in fruits and testimonies." The story of Paul Su, a manager in the media industry.
02/23/2015TIBET - CHINA Tibet, thousands of Buddhists celebrate the Dalai Lama’s birthday in public Defying the authorities, about 3 thousand people gathered in the rural districts of Ngaba and Golok to wish long life to the Buddhist leader, who turns 80 this year. The ritual gifts placed under an life-sized cutout of the Tibetan leader on a traditional throne.
02/22/2015VATICAN Pope gifts "Guard your heart" booklet as an aid to conversion in Lent At today's Angelus Pope Francis gave away booklets containing "the wealth of our doctrine," the essentials of the faith: "the seven sacraments, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Ten Commandments, the virtues, works of mercy. .. ". The booklet was distributed by volunteers and homeless people. "Those who are in need are also the ones who give us this great wealth." Lent is a time "for spiritual battle against the spirit of evil", already won by Jesus in the desert. "We go into the desert without fear, because we are not alone, we are with Jesus." This afternoon, the Pope goes to Ariccia on retreat with the Curia: "Pray so that in this desert we can hear the voice of Jesus and correct our many defects".
02/21/2015CHINA Year of the Goat: Forecasts for trade the lowest in 8 years Less credit from banks, deflation, low prices lead to pessimism. The central bank has reduced interest rates and decreased the level of commercial bank reserves. It will be "a difficult year".
02/20/2015ASIA Asia’s Catholics celebrate Year of the Goat with acts of charity Amid lavish dinners and firework displays sprout activities related to Lent: the PIME fathers in Hong Kong launch a mission among the prisoners of the Territory, while the South Korean Catholic Church send two containers of humanitarian aid to the North. In the Philippines a "new push" for Alay Kapwa, the program launched 40 years ago in support of the poor.
02/20/2015CHINA Beijing wakes up to New Year covered with snow According to popular tradition, snow on the first day of the New Lunar Year brings "abundant fruit" in the coming year. The departure of migrants empties the capital and makes it livable. The air quality, however, again exceeds the danger threshold after enormous New Year fireworks spectacle.
