Paolo Fossati

The Iranian Foreign Minister: "Our thoughts are with the French and all the Catholics". The Thai Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, expresses "pain". Japan has indicated its willingness to support France in its restoration work. South Korea announces inspections of national monuments. The South Korean Catholic community offers words of consolation and promises solidarity to the French people.

The Constitutional Court ruled that an absolute ban is contrary to the Charter and called for a legislative amendment. In his Easter message the Archbishop of Seoul expresses fears for the consequences on the social fabric of the country. "A nation has the responsibility to protect the life and safety of its people under all circumstances."

The "Garden of Forever Love" was inaugurated two days ago. Unborn under 24 weeks were previously classified as clinical waste and sent to landfills. Before, there were only two realities that offered these services.

Wayne, Autumn and Joseph have been held at their hotel for six days. The US embassy in Laos was informed and is following the case. A local Christian group is trying to help the three. The authorities of the Buddhist country consider Christianity a "foreign religion". The government does not have diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

According to the PIME priest, isolation is main challenge that awaits the missions in northern Thailand. PIME runs four centres in Fang, Ban Thoet Thai, Mae Suay and Ngao. Fr Ribolini will leave Ban Thoet Thai for Mae Suay after Easter. "As soldiers of the Kingdom of God, we missionaries must be ready to go where the Lord and his Church send us,” he said.

For Beijing, the elimination of foreign influences from religious practice in China is an urgent matter. State-controlled religious organizations are leading this ideological campaign. The reasons stem from the Party's fears of possible social unrest. Lamaist Buddhism, Christianity and Islam are under greater suspicion because of their "foreign" origins.

The rule of 1953 prohibits the killing of the unborn in almost all cases. The government called to review it before the end of next year. The Court states it is unconstitutional to punish doctors. Card. Yeom before the sentence: "Welcome every life and improve social assistance".

The election on 17 April is critical for the future of the young democracy. Many Indonesians fear actions by fundamentalist movements. The military stands for national unity. For Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, there is “zero tolerance” for those who undermine unity.

The Bishops' Conference announces an inquiry into all 16 dioceses in the country. The Archbishop of Tokyo: "To demonstrate our seriousness and respond to the Pope's request for zero tolerance". Already in 2003, the Japanese bishops established the Department for the Protection of the Rights of Women and Children.

Families with children in high school would save US$ 1,400 a year. Free high school education comes with a US$ 1.75 billion price tag, shared by the central government and regional offices. For expert, without clarity on costs, the plan will fail.

Eight ceremonies of scrutiny took place on the last three Sundays of Lent. The baptisms will involve mainly adults. For PIME regional superior, the new Catholics "will enhance the vitality of the local Church.”

Those who call suicide lines are mostly in their thirties and forties. In 2018, 56 per cent of users were women, 43 per cent men. Although the overall number of suicides is down, child suicides are up. Girls and young women up to 19 show a "worrying tendency" towards taking their own lives.