Dario Salvi

Bishop Martinus Dogma Situmorang, President of the Indonesian bishops, is in Rome for their ad Limina visit. He describes a "vibrant and lively "church with “fervour of faith and the contribution" of Catholics in building the nation. Dialogue with Muslims, and an invitation to the West: not only "compassion and charity".

Mgr. Schmitthaeusler says the gathering of young people from 200 countries will underline the "universal" dimension of Catholicism. Before Madrid, a stop in Rome to discover the lives of early Christians and understand the "choice of faith" that leads to martyrdom. A school of biblical and theological formation to prepare them for "the proclamation of the Word of God."

Mgr Schmitthaeusler, in Rome for John Paul II’s beatification, stresses the late pontiff’s plea to “be free” and to “experience love as a gift”. The Church in Cambodia remembers him with affection. Thanks to him, Buddhist religious leader have a “positive view” of Catholicism. Bearing witness to Christ and contributing to the development of Cambodian society are some of the challenges of the future.

The country is held hostage by Muslim extremists who feed on ignorance and fear to maintain power. Government inertia pervades while the international community focuses on trade and weapons. Christian and Muslim leaders and intellectuals argue that any revival must start from the schools. An AsiaNews dossier on education in Pakistan.

The Bible of the slain Catholic minister is added to the collection of tokens kept at Rome’s Saint Bartholomew Basilica to remember the martyrs. Faisalabad bishop says Bhatti bore witness to “peace and love” in a country victimised by intolerance in the name of religion.

In May,Fr. Llorenç Braz De Oliveira, originally from Minas Gerais, will travel to Thailand, a majority Buddhist nation. Proclaiming the Good News not just in words, but "concrete works and acts." Confirmation of vocation during his theological studies in the Philippines. An appeal to South America to become a land of missionaries.

“With Brazil, we can make it,” says North Korea’s forward; however, bookmakers give North Korea, Japan and South Korea very few chances of winning. In parallel with the FIFA World Cup, Thailand organises its own world cup for prison inmates, whilst mainland China and Cambodia crack down on World Cup betting.

Fr. Alberto Caccaro in Cambodia since 2000, describes a country-oriented towards "materialistic capitalism." Society still bears the marks of violence committed by the Khmer Rouge. The need for institutions "to educate new generations to critical thought” to rebuild unity. The conversion of a French atheist in missionary territory.

In a press conference organised by AsiaNews, Pakistani Christian activists launch an international campaign to raise awareness about the problem. Their goal is to have blasphemy laws repeal in their home country because they have caused too much violence and discrimination against religious minorities. Pakistan’s civil society wants changes too, unlike the empty promises of the government and the ideology of extremists.

The blasphemy law - prison and death sentences for those who offend the Koran or Muhammad - is a tool to eliminate religious minorities. AsiaNews launches an awareness campaign for its repeal. Because of this law, since 2001 at least 50 Christians have been killed, families and entire villages destroyed. In the country Islamic and Christian voices appeal for its cancellation.

Joseph Yacoub, an export on Christianity in the Middle East, denounces “discriminatory policies” of the Baghdad government, incapable of guaranteeing “unity and security” in a land that is “divided and selfish”. The withdrawal of the American troops is a “superficial” change, while Christians continue to suffer persecution.

Fr Bruno Rossi, whose name appeared on an al-Qaeda-linked website, said inter-religious cooperation is good. AsiaNews sources warn against foreign fundamentalist groups operating in Thailand.