Ecclesia in Asia

The testimony of Fr Elbert Balbastro, a young Filipino priest of the St Columba missionaries in the province of Sindh. ‘Meeting generous and authentic people who, despite having little, share what they have with all their heart, has revealed to me the joy of serving the Lord’.

Heir to the first seminary opened in 1665 to train the local clergy in Ayuthia in present-day Thailand, the College General has seen more than 50 graduates give their lives for the Gospel, including the martyrs of the Vietnamese persecution in the 18th century and those who perished in Pol Pot’s Cambodia. For Card Francis, “May the exemplary and courageous spirit of these martyrs continue to inspire” today’s priests in Malaysia.

The Archbishop of Mumbai, who represents Asia in the Council of Cardinals wanted by Pope Francis, comments on the Instrumentum laboris in view of the October Assembly released these days. "We need to discuss how to give women their rightful role, involving them more in decision-making processes in the Church. Being inclusive, welcoming everyone, does not mean changing what the Gospel teaches."

By the end of the year, two priests and three nuns from Italy, India and Myanmar will set up a new outpost in the Diocese of Tanjung Selor, Indonesian Borneo, together with other congregations established elsewhere in the world inspired by PIME’s charism. For the Institute’s Superior General, Fr Brambillasca, this is “a project to renew in everyone the desire to leave for the mission.”

A Creole people descended from the Portuguese, the Kristang celebrate their patron saint every year with four days of celebrations that attract tourists and visitors from all over Malaysia and other countries. "Today there are no more shrimps on our shores and this creates problems for the future. But we strive to maintain our faith and our traditions."

Tharman Shanmugaratnam was received in audience at the Vatican, during which the two underscored the importance of this crossroads in Asia as a place of interfaith harmony. Meanwhile, a diocesan app will be up and running tomorrow to apply for tickets to the Mass scheduled for 12 September at the National Stadium. Groups of faithful are also expected from the dioceses of neighbouring Malaysia.

Three years now since the death of his apostolic vicar Fr. Sim that Pope Francis had wanted to create cardinal, the small local Church continues its journey keeping the faith alive in this Muslim state of Borneo. The contribution of the lively community of Filipino migrants in the life of the three parishes.

A community in Jiangxi wanted images of the Irish priests who served it between the 1920s and 1950s to appear on the stained glass windows in the renovation of its parish restored after long being a kindergarten. Including a martyr killed by Communist militias, whose grave is still a place revered by local Catholics.

Entitled ‘From Samurai to Manga, the Christian epic in Japan’, an exhibition is on display until 13 July at the Mep premises. On display are objects from various collections that trace the history of persecutions and ‘hidden Christians’ but also the vitality of today's ‘little flock’.

For ten years, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea has held two visits annually to listen to people in places that are important for the life of the Church and society. On the mudflats near the longest dyke in world, built 20 years ago, the bishops saw first-hand the dyke’s environmental impact on local communities, which was front-page news following last year’s Scouts Jamboree debacle.

A study sponsored in London by the British and Foreign Bible Society measures the impact of the arrival of more than 200,000 Hong Kongers in the country over the past three years. There are now 18% Christians in the communities, a much higher percentage than in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong. But even among those who are not linked to any religious denomination, interest in Christianity is emerging.

On the occasion of the World Day for Vocations, the 50th anniversary of the Major Seminary of the Holy Spirit, which has trained 445 priests as well as numerous religious and lay people, was celebrated. Card. D'Rozario: "A great gift from God and the heart of our local Church in Bangladesh".