A conference in Taipei marked the centenary of Pius XI’s historic decision in October 1926 to ordain the first six bishops born in China. This was a crucial step on a path of inculturation which, after 1949, however, had to contend with control from Beijing. The challenge of the Church’s identity in China remains as relevant as ever.
The Christian leader has been sentenced to 12 years for his opposition to the theft of church land by the authorities of Nanle. Officials have launched a campaign of violence and intimidation against his relatives: daughter, son in law and 1 year granddaughter forced to leave the country.
The leader of Tibetan Buddhism: "We need a realistic approach to the situation. If we continue to look to the past end up like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a permanent". He also urges Tibetans: "viewing the dispute merely through the prism of history would only aggravate the situation."
Five-day US-South Korean naval exercises being in South Korean territorial waters. Pyongyang reacts by protesting, calling for the drill's cancellation, whilst continuing to fire projectiles into the sea. Meanwhile, the two Koreas are, asks to cancel the event and continues to fire short-range missiles. Meanwhile, the two Koreas organise joint meet to prepare for Asian Games in Incheon.
To great media fanfare, China’s top prosecutor’s office announces criminal proceedings against three former senior government officials: two were protected by the powerful ex national security "czar". Increasingly insistent rumors of a possible arrest of Zhou, considered until two years ago the "most powerful and feared" politician in all of China.
Notwithstanding facile slogans, China's economy is at an impasse. It contributes little to the world's wealth, once its huge population is factored in. This is due to the errors of Maoism and Deng Xiaoping's transition, who proposed economic modernisation but left the Communist system intact, as it still is today. The urgency of an economy centred on people and freedom means that China is likely to drown in social conflict and insignificance. Here is the first of a three-part analysis by an economist.
For r Marco Villa, a PIME missionary working in Japan, "the Abe government's decision to revise Article 9 has divided Japanese society and public. As the memory of World War II fades, so are old certainties. The belligerent position of China and North Korea is not helping." In a letter to the prime minister, Japan's Catholic bishops say his choice is wrong and "dangerous".
The report is supposedly based on five months of consultation with Hong Kong residents, but its content reflects what Beijing wanted. According to the document, 'mainstream opinion' wants no change. Occupy Central movement is backed by Card Zen and Hong Kong's three new auxiliary bishops.
The Dongguan Shinyang Electronics is suspected of employing children under 16: the Korean giant and the Chinese authorities open an investigation and announce "zero tolerance" of phenomenon. In the meantime, the battle for supremacy in the smartphone market continues: Beijing accuses Apple of using the iPhone to endanger national security.
Mission is no longer delegated to religious, or priests. It is a dimension of the everyday life of the faithful. The testimony of Filipino domestic workers has led to the conversion of many of their employers. Families also bring their Christian faith on holiday to China.
Catholics in Hong Kong and mainland China welcomed papal appointments with joy. A Catholic from northern China hopes to see the Holy See choose new bishops for the Chinese Church. The three new bishops will be ordained on 30 August. Card Tong's episcopal mandate has been extended for another three years.
Mgr Goro Matsuura, auxiliary bishop of Osaka and president of the Episcopal Commission for Refugees and Migrants, released a message for Sea Sunday, a day celebrated yesterday and mentioned by Pope Francis. As part of God's creation, it is not enough to think globally. Christians must act "based on the perspective of the changeless Gospel;" hence, "if they were to meet with some great difficulties," please "pray for seafarers".
Nothing is known about Tenzin Lhundrup, a Tibetan monk arrested by Chinese police for causing a "disturbance," namely giving a lecture on "the status of the Tibetan language and nationality." Since his arrest, severe restrictions have been imposed on freedom of movement, speech and religion in Diru County.
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