East Asia

The famous journalist is 71 years old and suffers from heart problems. In prison, she has not received regular medical treatments. Gao was sentenced to seven years for revealing state secrets, but has always maintained her innocence. Her lawyer is ready to provide new evidence to back her claim.

Mgr Kikuchi tells AsiaNews that "Pope Francis’ encyclical confirms the efforts of the Church in Japan. All the faithful have a duty to do something for Mother Earth. We must act to protect the lives of future generations." He also focuses on the power of developed countries and financial institutions, on the lifestyle of modern society and nuclear energy.

The leading Sunni institution slams the ban on fasting and religious activities imposed on Muslim Uighurs in Xinjiang. It appeals to the international community, the UN and human rights groups to end violations by the Chinese government in the province.

"Right-wing” Catholics reject it as "communist"; the "left-wing" applaud it’s novelty, but what Francis writes in his "Laudato sì (Praise be)" is in line with the social doctrine of the Church. In keeping with John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI. Some apocalyptic voices announce "the end," the failure "of the modern era" and its "misguided anthropocentrism". Criticism of the political powers, an invitation to all to work together.

CSW East Asia team leader Benedict Rogers has recently carried out a mission in the country, where many issues remain unresolved, from the Myanmar government’s responsibility in the Rohingya crisis to the violence by Buddhist extremists. Aung San Suu Kyi’s visit to China marks her transition from human rights icon to political leader. Myanmar’s Catholic Church contributes to peace and reconciliation.

The Muslim holy month, which began yesterday, requires fasting from dawn to dusk. Beijing tightens its grip over the province, home to nearly nine million Muslim Uighurs. Civil servants, students and teachers must follow the guidelines. Uighur leader slams ban as “a provocation” that “will only lead to instability and conflict.”

This morning’s Vatican meeting between Francis and Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East focused on "The blood of the martyrs" as the "seed of unity of the Church". Bemoaning “So much suffering! So many innocent victims,” the pontiff added that “In the face of all this, it seems that the powers of this world are incapable of finding solutions.”

"There are so many wars in our world nowadays because of greed for power and wealth. We can think of the war in our own hearts,” the pope said. When “the Lord blesses a person who has wealth, he makes him an administrator of those riches for the common good and for the benefit of everybody, not just for that person.”

The president of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace, Bishop. Lazzaro You Heung-sik, comments to AsiaNews on Laudato sì: "A fundamental text for our country and for the Asian continent, a practical roadmap to combine economic growth and respect for creation. Korean society takes it very seriously, now our task as the local Church is to study it and learn about it as much as possible. " The question of energy and industrial pollution "problems to be solved as soon as possible."

Manila archbishop calls on faithful, clergy and non-Christians to study the papal letter. The Bishops' Conference of India plans a three-pronged (diocesan, regional and national) approach to implement its principles. The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences is planning four seminars to raise awareness.

After the Legislative Council voted down Beijing’s election reform package, Hong Kong’s Cardinal Tong calls for healing and prayer to overcome polarisation. Pro-Beijing lawmakers apologise to Hong Kongers, one weeps.

Package wanted by mainland China, denies real democracy for the former British colony. Legislative Council vote a historic victory for the democratic movements. Pro-Beijing deputies leave hall ahead of vote over "a problem of internal communications." Emily Lau: "A clear signal for the central government and for the international community: We want our rights." Lee Cheuk-yan: "History is always on the side of democracy."