South East Asia

At Mass for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and of the 51st World Day of Peace, Pope Francis exalts the figure of Mary, through whom "God is close to humanity as a child to the mother who bears him in her womb". "Humanity is dear and sacred to the Lord". " The Gospel does not report a single word of hers in the entire account of Christmas.... His Mother joins her Son and keeps these things in silence". The Church is " is mother and woman. While a man often abstracts, affirms and imposes ideas, a woman, a mother, knows how to “keep”, to put things together in her heart, to give life".

During the Angelus, Pope Francis prayed for the victims of the Cairo attacks and the conversion of “all violent hearts”. Speaking about the Holy Family, he said that "the child belongs to God" and the parents "are the guardians of his life, not the owners". Even for the families that have been “wounded” or marked by “failure”, the “path of resurrection” is open. The pontiff calls on people to thank God for the past year and every good thing they may have received.

The Blessed Virgin is the country’s main patroness. To allow Filipinos to celebrate Mary’s Immaculate Conception, the government will give schools and offices the day off. Some of the faithful react.

Built by the French in 1917, the church had been abandoned for decades. The intervention of the Ministry of the Environment was decisive. The Catholic Church is now tasked with restoring the place of worship. After that, the building might serve as a shrine.

At least 20 soldiers belonging to the 57th battalion stationed in Makilala reportedly planned the killing. Fausto was disliked by the army, businessmen and local politicians for his activity in favor of the tribals against the exploitation of the mines.

For the eighth consecutive year, the highest number of murders is recorded in America, where 11 pastoral workers were killed (8 priests, 1 religious, 2 lay people); Africa follows, with 10 pastoral workers (4 priests, 1 religious, 5 lay people); in Asia 2 pastoral workers were killed (1 priest, 1 lay person). From 2000 to 2016, 424 pastoral workers were killed in the world, including 5 bishops.

Arrested January 25, 2017, she is found guilty of "propaganda against the state". The sentence and trial have aroused harsh criticism. The prayers of the Vietnamese Catholics and the appeal of Human Rights Watch for her release are unheard by the government.

Vinta hit the island of Mindanao violently displacing 118,596 families,leaving 164 victims and 176 missing. The affected communities already suffering from the devastation of the Marawi siege. The prayer of Pope Francis and the appeal of Card. Tagle.

The archbishop reiterates Pope Francis’s message of peace and love. Economic, social and political wounds continue to make the nation bleed. He calls for reconciliation in Rakhine and Kachin states and actions against economic exploitation.

Like Saint Martin, the members of Xa Quê help out parishes and missionary communities. The percentage of Vietnamese below the poverty line is 13.5 per cent (2014). However, almost half of the rural population still lives under harsh conditions.

Indonesia’s police chief, Armed Forces commander, and Home Affairs minister visited Jakarta cathedral on Christmas eve. Jakarta governor arrived in the church after the liturgy had already started. Official Christmas celebrations will be held tomorrow in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

"In our time, especially in Europe, we are witnessing a sort of" distortion "of Christmas: in the name of a false respect for those who are not Christians, who often hide the aim to marginalize the faith". Jesus is "the gift", "that's why at Christmas we exchange gifts. The true gift for us is Jesus, and like him we want to be a gift for others ".