Quang Ha

The rally was held in front of the World Center, in central Manila. Seven Filipino priests celebrated Mass for protesters, who want Beijing to respect The Hague ruling and suspend its operations in disputed waters. China announces military exercises with Russia in the East China Sea.

For the past few days, peaceful protests have been occurring in Vietnam’s main cities following a mass fish kill caused by Hung Nghiep, a steel company. At least 200 people have been arrested and forcibly loaded into vans, including women and children. A priest was also among those detained. A petition calling for a stop to the pollution and for the payment of damages reaches a million signatures.

Fr Joseph Nguyen Van Huong founded the Free Rice Free Shop in 2012 in Ho Chi Minh City’s central district, where life is expensive. Every day, the facility provides a free meal to hundreds of workers, seniors, orphans and the poor. For Pham Thi, 72, it offers much more: “Whilst we are eating, parish volunteers talk to us, ask about our life and problems.”

The President of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community will remain in the country until 17 January, where he will meet with the main officials and groups of the local Church. The “missionary’s nature is everyone’s vocation. Each of us needs to look at the signs of the times. In particular, we have to look at the example of the Holy Father." For Vietnamese Catholics, the visit is a "milestone", a sign of closeness to the Church harassed by the Communist Party.

At least 5 thousand faithful of Đăk Lâk parish and 3 thousand others in the Xê- Đăng parish were not allowed attend Christmas Day celebrations. The faithful denounce a "serious violation" of human rights and religious freedom. Priests are targeted as "unwelcome" by local Communist leaders. The area is inhabited mainly by tribal Montagnards.