South Asia

China cites "international law” and “the UN Charter" to stand with Venezuela (while not respecting it in the South China Sea). Xi Jinping calls on South Korean President Lee to make the “right strategic choices”. A former Japanese defence minister is concerned about a possible domino effect involving Taiwan. India is cautious in order to keep a door open for Trump on tariffs.

Dedicated to Saint Francis, the church was built by PIME missionaries called to this area of ​​Bangladesh by some Santals who wanted to learn about the Gospel. The community, which now numbers some five thousand, led to the birth of other parishes. Bishop Tudu expressed gratitude for those who “planted the seed of Christian faith” in the area.

Cardinal Ranjith and the country's Buddhist leaders marked the New Year, calling on people to overcome ethnic and political divisions to heal the wounds caused by Cyclone Ditwah. More than 270,000 people remain displaced by the natural disaster, which left 643 dead and 183 missing.

A reflection by the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mumbai on the growing contrast between images of the Indian prime minister in churches at Christmas and his silence on attacks against these same places by people ideologically close to him. ‘Calling violence an act of violence is not an act of enmity: it is a gesture of hope.’

The country's first female prime minister, a long-time protagonist in Bangladeshi political life, has died at the age of 80. An unprecedented crowd gathered at her funeral. Bishop Bejoy D'Cruze: ‘Despite differences of opinion, she loved the nation deeply’. The Church's appeal for peace and unity in a moment of profound grief.

The report by Agenzia Fides includes the death of two Catholics engaged in pastoral work killed in Asia: Father Donald Martin Ye Naing Win, of the Archdiocese of Mandalay, and layman Mark Christian Malaca, a teacher in Laur. Last year, no deaths were reported. This year’s figures reflect a growing trend.

Many young doctors avoid psychiatry due to social stigma and family expectations. Cultural myths and fears over marriage prospects discourage especially female students. Meanwhile, suicide and mental health disorders are on the rise in the Northern Province, amid poverty and isolation.

The religious sister is the first female director of Caritas Nepal. She spoke to AsiaNews about her social work and missionary commitment in a country ravaged by landslides, floods, and earthquakes, where many people live at a subsistence level in inaccessible places, between tropical forest and the Himalayas. In rural groups and cooperatives, women represent 60-70 per cent of participants.

This is the alarm raised by activists from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (Bhbcuc). At least 73 incidents triggered by accusations of religious offence. In addition to killings, there have been murders, rapes, arson attacks on places of worship, misappropriation of land and forced displacement. Ahead of the vote, the student party is allying itself with Islamic radicals.

In the city of Bareilly, members of the Hindu nationalist groups Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad protested in front of a Catholic church on 24 December, accusing a school of offending Hinduism during Christmas celebrations. The diocese rejected the accusations and explained that this was a serious distortion of the content of the theatrical performances, which were dedicated to social issues and universal values. Bishop Ignatius D'Souza once again denounced the climate of growing religious intolerance.

In a statement, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India slammed the “alarming” escalation of attacks and violence on the eve of the holiday. In one incident, a visually-impaired woman was insulted and harassed. In Kerala, a 24-year-old man linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh was arrested for attacking children singing Christmas carols.

The Punjab government has promoted the Christmas Interfaith Harmony Rally. Thousands of participants, with the capital decorated for the festivities. The Christian community rejoices at this sign of recognition and public dignity and the fight against discrimination. A step by Maryam Nawaz's administration towards the inclusion of Christians in Pakistani society.