Bernardo Cervellera

The Patriotic Association and the government want to force Catholic clergymen to take part in the upcoming Assembly of Catholic representatives, an organization that is contrary to Catholic teachings. Wanted as a “dangerous criminal”, one bishop has disappeared. Another one was abducted from his official residence where the faithful had taken and defended him after days in isolation.

The world’s second largest economy still relies on feudal practices worthy of the Middle Ages. Its religious policy is in the hands of one man, Liu Bainian, whose action is a throwback to Mao Zedong’s time. The new bishop’s destiny is one of isolation among Christians who reject him.

The Assembly is the sovereign and "democratic" body governing the Chinese Church. In his letter the Pope says that it is "incompatible" with Catholic faith and the Vatican advises against participation. So far it has been delayed owing to the resistance of many bishops. But many Chinese prelates fear retaliation against their pastoral work and funding for the work. Risk of division in the Church.

An online petition (to be sent to AsiaNews, or directly to the President of Pakistan) for the revocation of the death sentence for a Christian woman sentenced to hang for blasphemy. But we are also asking for the cancellation or overhaul of the blasphemy law, which is destroying harmony and development in Pakistan.

An extensive post-synodal exhortation on the Word of God A tool to renew the life of the faithful and of the community to help rediscover a commitment to mission to non-Christians and the secular post-Christian world. The most important document of the Church on the Holy Scriptures, after of Vatican II’s Dei Verbum. A link to the full text.

Over the years not only the continued growth of our readers, but also increased attention to the Christian presence on the largest of the continents.

The CCP reasserts its role as the guarantor of the country’s development. It does not address social problems, like the gap between haves and have-nots, corruption or pollution. Xi Jinping is promoted, whilst Kang Rixin is expelled. The future of the Party’s “princelings” weighs heavily on China’s future, marks the defeat of Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao. No political reform is on the horizon.

The 12th five-year plan (2011-2015) is on the agenda and could lead to a new model of economic development based on “inclusive growth”. The gap between haves and have-nots and “hatred of the rich” have become a major social problem. Corruption represents about 30 per cent of GDP. Wen Jiabao speaks of reforms, but there is resistance. Vice President Xi Jinping might be promoted.

The prize is a comfort to all signatories of Charter 08. Respect for human rights and religious freedom are the only way to save China from pending disaster signs of which are already visible today. A warning for Beijing, but also for the West, which only sees the Chinese giant as a means to solve economic problems.

In Brussels, European parliamentarians and bishops call for greater attention to persecution, religious freedom and human rights in relations between the EU and other countries, a few steps away, the meeting with Wen Jiabao and other Asian representatives speaks only about economics. Yet the EU has always been proud to stand as a champion of human rights. The emptying of words is one of the methods of totalitarianism (H. Arendt).

The infamous law is 30 years old. It has stopped the birth of at least 400 million children. It is a source of violence, abortions, forced sterilizations, injustice. And it is revealing its problems: an aging population, lack of manpower, imbalance between males and females.

Former managers, editors, employees have sacrificed their holidays to the Congress and to be of service to participants. Card. Cheong stresses the value of the Korean Church, a highly respected minority in the country. The cult of the martyrs and evangelization the characteristics of mission in the Third Millennium in Asia.