South East Asia

The Archbishop of Manila revives the tradition of the bells tolling in the evening to remember the dead. "We cannot promote a human and decent Filipino culture with killing." The appeal to pastors and lay people for solidarity with the victims and their families counter to the campaign of "cleanliness" launched by President Duterte.

In his encounter with the bishops of the entire Latin American continent, Pope Francis invites us not to dwell on past memories, but to "concretize" the hope that comes from the faith. "Encountering the living Christ", "going out", enhancing the "religiousness of the people", through "passion for evangelization". Accompanying young people; to valorize women; pushing lay people to social commitment.

Colombia’s bishops must be in the frontline to “touch the wounded flesh” of their country and people to help them overcome the violence and the inequality that underlie the weakness of so many families and young people threatened ‘by spiritual emptiness and seeking to escape through drug use, frivolous lifestyles and a rebellious spirit.”

In his first meeting in the South American country, Francis calls for the inclusion of all citizens, especially the weak, as well as the protection of the family, life and nature. “Just laws are needed” to “help overcome the conflicts that have torn apart this nation for decades; laws are required which are not born from the pragmatic need to order society but rather arise from the desire to resolve the structural causes of poverty that lead to exclusion and violence.”

Negotiations are underway with the two permanent members of the Security Council. For Myanmar National Security Adviser Thaung Tun, the issue will not go forward. Government rejects allegations of ethnic cleansing, complaining of "disinformation". Rohingya militants set fire to 59 villages. More than 26,000 tribal escaped from Rakhine.

He is the founder of the "Lang Mai" community, which was expelled in 2009 for criticizing Vietnamese politics. It is the third time the religious returns to the country. The official press report his return, but Buddhist leaders ignore the master's intentions.

The area’s Buddhist and Hindu tribal groups are one tenth of Muslims. Some 25,000 have been displaced and are now in camps set up by the army. Ongoing violence has undermined peaceful coexistence. Fear of possible Islamist infiltrations in the country is widespread. Mizzima News blames the Islamic State for the attacks against military outposts. This is part of an attempt to disrupt Aung San Suu Kyi's peace policy.

Pope today tweeted, “Dear Friends, please pray for me and all of Colombia, where I will be travelling for a journey dedicated to reconciliation and peace.” His difficult trip includes several stages.

In her first public comments since the violent flare-up, the Nobel prize winner slammed the “misinformation” that is “calculated to create a lot of problems between different communities and with the aim of promoting the interest of the terrorists”. The statement comes after a call with Turkish President Erdogan. At least 400 people die in Rakhine fighting. About 125,000 Rohingya sought shelter in Bangladesh. More than 25,000 non-Muslim residents have been evacuated.

The priest had urged a political reform in the country. The thugs are local pro-government activists. The pastor will not file a complaint: it would be useless because the security forces and the aggressors are on the same side. District Police Vice-President congratulates his decision: it is a "complicated" case.

Catholics number about 700,000, 1 per cent of the population. “Burmese Catholics are looking forward to giving the Holy Father a warm welcome,” said Mgr Alexander Pyone Cho, bishop of Pyay. “We are very happy. Ours is a very devoted community, dedicated to prayer and church life.” Pope Francis's appeal in favour of the Rohingya causes controversy. “[T]here is no reason to fear for his security." Extremism and economic interests are behind the violence in Rakhine.

The young Pakistani woman calls for an end to the violence and for the Muslim minority to be granted Myanmar citizenship. "If their home in not Myanmar, where they have lived for generations, then where is it?"