| VATICAN

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue issues a message for the Islamic holy month, noting that Ramadan should be a time to boost “existing friendships” and “peaceful and friendly coexistence”.


He replaces Cui Maohu, who was recently removed after being placed under investigation for alleged corruption. Chen has also served as deputy director of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party. Born in Shandong, he has government experience in Wuhan and Qinghai province.

| 24/03/2023
| CHINA
by Sumon Corraya

Today is World Day for the fight against a disease that still causes 100 deaths a day in Bangladesh. The testimony of a Missionary of the Immaculate, a doctor, active for 12 years in Khulna on this frontier: "Many still do not know TB and arrive when they are already serious. By treating them I am a sign of Jesus' love for all".

| 24/03/2023
| BANGLADESH
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I supports the creation of a new ecclesiastical jurisdiction on Lithuanian soil. It will give autonomy to the Lithuanian Orthodox who no longer want to depend on the Moscow Patriarchate. Analogy with the Ukrainian Autocephalous Church founded in 2018. A response to Patriarch Kirill's support for the Putin war against Ukraine.

| 24/03/2023
| ORTHODOX CHURCH

The German broadcaster Deutsche Welle shut down its Turkey office after losing its operating licence, primarily because of the close race ahead of the 14 May elections. Government pressure has intensified after the 6 February earthquake. Turkey ranks 149th out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom. In the 2018 elections, Erdogan got 181 hours of coverage on state television; his main rival, 16.

| 24/03/2023
| TURKEY

Francis urged the delegates of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) to pursue this goal. The latter elected an Italian, Bishop Mariano Crociata, as its new president. It is possible to have “unity in diversity,” the pope said, “if there is strong inspiration: otherwise, apparatus prevails, the technocratic paradigm prevails, but it is not fruitful because it does not enthuse people”.

| 23/03/2023
| VATICAN

The four civilians, who had lit a fire to celebrate Nowruz, were shot at by a splinter group supported by Ankara. The incident has increased tensions between factions, in an area long disputed by Kurds, anti-Assad groups, and pro-Turkish militias. For Human Rights Watch, the area has seen “over five years of unaddressed human rights abuses”.

 

| 23/03/2023
| SYRIA – TURKEY
Editor's choices
 
by Sumon Corraya
Today is World Day for the fight against a disease that still causes 100 deaths a day in Bangladesh. The testimony of a Missionary of the Immaculate, a doctor, active for 12 years in Khulna on this frontier: "Many still do not know TB and arrive when ...
| 24/03/2023
| BANGLADESH
 
Back in 2015, more than 75 per cent of Asia lacked was water insecure. Water insecurity affects mainly China, South Asia and the urban areas of Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Asia represents about half of the global bottled water market, a factor that discourages ...
| 22/03/2023
| ASIA-PACIFIC
 
by mons. Michel Sabbah *
In Nazareth, the Latin Patriarchate celebrated the pastor emeritus, whom John Paul II chose as the first Arab leader of this community. His message: 'I ask God for new eyes that see God and man, see lost peace and know that security exists only ...
| 20/03/2023
| HOLY LAND
 
This is the government's likely response to the effects of the rapidly aging population on the welfare system. Survey: 74% of respondents want retirement under 55; only 6% accept it over 61. Reform to raise the retirement age to 65 under consideration: ...
| 18/03/2023
| CHINA
 
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak wants to send all asylum seekers crossing the English Channel to Rwanda. At least 250 girls from a Kabul school have moved to Kigali via Doha after the Taliban came back to power in August 2021. Rwanda’s government ...
| 15/03/2023
| AFGHANISTAN - RWANDA
 
by Giorgio Bernardelli
The text was officially made public today. It contains the reflections of Asian Bishops' Conferences brought to the assembly held last October in the Thai capital. Nine emerging challenges have been identified in Asian societies, from the role of ...
| 15/03/2023
| ASIA
 
by Dario Salvi
The Vicar of Anatolia recounts a situation "still in full emergency" and with a strong psychological impact. The earth continues to tremble and the toll - between Syria and Turkey - has exceeded 55,000 dead. The work of Caritas in cooperation with the ...
| 15/03/2023
| TURKEY
 
From Korea to Kazakhstan, from the victims of Typhoon Yolanda to the Rohingya, from Mother Teresa to Matteo Ricci, Pope Francis has paid constant attention to Asia over the past ten years. On the tenth anniversary of his election we present ten excerpts ...
| 12/03/2023
| ECCLESIA IN ASIA
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”