East Asia

The 21 year-old Catholic Nguyen Phuong Uyen will be released from jail. Sentence reduced from eight to four years for the second accused, the 26 year old Nguyen Dinh Kha. Hanoi had promised an "open" trial but at least 400 policemen guarded the building and refused entry to family and friends. Activist slams judges and government under the control of the Communist Party.

On his return from World Youth Day, Francis announced a trip to Asia for 2014. Speaking to AsiaNews, Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik said, "If he chose our country we would all be very happy. A visit by him to Korea would be a huge boost to missionary action, not only for the Korean Church but for all Asian Churches." South Korean authorities have already invited him. Even non-Catholics love him.

At the Angelus Francis stresses that the "division" that Jesus brings implies that faith is not the “icing on the cake”, rather faith means “renouncing evil, selfishness and choosing good, truth, justice, even when it requires sacrifice and renunciation of one's own interests. " And this can divide "even the closest bonds." Faith and violence are incompatible. In this Year of Faith, we must keep our gaze fixed on Jesus. A prayer for the victims of the ferry disaster in the Philippines and for peace in Egypt.

North Korea’s Parliament passes a constitutional amendment that identifies the country's government with the ruling family, attacks the "bourgeois who traffic in foreign currency" and eliminates the concepts of socialism and communism, replacing them with the delusional "Juche revolution."

Though belonging to the unofficial community, the provincial government allowed the faithful to gather. In previous years there were arrests and raids during services. He always carried a bag with clothing, shoes and toothbrush, for when he was taken by police.

The following list of 58 looted and burned buildings (including convents and schools) has been verified by representatives of the Christian Churches.

For broadcast on public television in Taiwan, produced by Kuangchi Program Service. Yesterday, the feast of the Assumption, the blessing of Fr. Jerry, a priest and vice president KPS. He stresses the importance of educating children, which "will bear much fruit" in the future. The mimed stories talk about "love and acceptance."

Talking over dinner about democracy and the rule of law has become a crime in the PRC. Li Huaping and Liu Jincai are among the 50 and more activists taken into custody in recent months. For China's rulers, Russia in the 1990s and today's Egypt are bad examples, not to follow.

The act has been branded an attack on religious freedom, which is guaranteed by the laws of the country. However, Kathmandu does not want to displease its "good neighbour" Beijing.

Francis celebrates Mass in Castel Gandolfo. The Assumption is a "canticle of patience and victory, of struggle and joy." The Church and every Christian struggle daily against "the forces of evil." May "Mary accompany us, fight with us, and sustain Christians in the struggle against the forces of evil."

A group of more than a hundred industry tycoons including the well-known Ren Zhiqiang, send an open letter to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly to request that "everyone" be allowed to denounce the crimes against the environment: "Clean water and breathable air are essential parts of the Chinese Dream ".

On August 15, the Church celebrates Mary, and Japan remembers not only the end of World War II but also the introduction of Christianity by St. Francis Xavier. A missionary of the Sacred Heart: "The Japanese live this feast in a particular way, remembering the dead and praying for peace."