South East Asia

Interviewed by AsiaNews, the activist who denounced Daniel Bosio confirms: a "strange" situation, that had to be reported to the police. The ambassador’s lawyer speaks of a "terrible mistake" and the man "terribly affected". A support page on Facebook with hundreds of likes who believe he is "unfairly accused".

The last century has seen that these dictatorships "have ended up killing a lot of people." And even today, "you have to think in this way and if you do not think this way, you're not modern, you're not open or worse".

Francis receives participants at the II international conference on Combating Human Trafficking: Church and Law Enforcement Authorities in partnership. The meeting includes " law enforcement authorities, who are primarily responsible for combating this tragic reality by a vigorous application of the law. It also includes humanitarian and social workers, whose task it is to provide victims with welcome, human warmth and the possibility of building a new life”.

Over 450 women to part in the Poso Women Conference in March. Mostly simple uneducated people, but willing to rebuild a peaceful coexistence in an area long plagued by conflict. They aim to promote greater political, social , civic and economic participation of women on a local and national level.

At the General audience, Francis recalls "my fellow Jesuit" Father Frans van der Lugt , who was killed in Homs. A new cycle of catechesis dedicated to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The first, "wisdom " that is not "human wisdom" but "seeing the world, situations, problems, everything, through the eyes of God."

Catholic bishops and believers react to the Supreme Court ruling on the country's Reproductive Health law. Deemed constitutional, the Act had nevertheless some of its provisions nullified. For the president of the Bishops' Conference, while the Church "cannot see eye-to-eye" with some people, "We can work hand-in-hand [with them] for the good of the country".

Early results show the PDIP of former President Megawati leading the pack with almost 20 per cent of the vote, riding on the coattails of the Jakarta governor, who is poised to run in the upcoming presidential poll. The Golkar Party is in second place. Islamist parties are a flop. Mired in scandals and corruption accusations, outgoing President Yudhoyono's party fares badly.

Bishop Broderick Pabillo, auxiliary of the capital, intervenes in territorial disputes and attacks the United States for "meddling" in the dispute. The prelate calls for a frank and open dialogue between China and the Philippines, to reach an agreement that averts the use of violence. Meanwhile, Indonesia strengthens its military against Chinese maneuvers.

"Christianity is not a philosophical doctrine, it is not a program for life survival, or education, or in peacemaking. These are consequences. Christianity is a person, a person raised on the Cross, a person who annihilated himself to save us".

Italy's Foreign Ministry has already suspended Daniel Bosio, 46, from his duties as Italian ambassador to Turkmenistan. During a holiday in the Philippines, he was arrested in the company of three children. A complaint by a local NGO proves crucial in the affair. Speaking to AsiaNews, sources talk about a "murky" case in which the Italian official showed poor judgment. Now he is waiting for the investigation to take its course.

The highest court in the land rules in favour of the Reproductive Health Act, but nullifies some of its provisions, thus acknowledging the principle of conscientious objection. The law bans therapeutic abortion but encourages couples to have no more than two children. For its part, the Catholic Church will continue "to uphold the sacredness of human life [. . .] from conception to natural death."

This morning an Australian ship picked up a new signal, which follows the repeated sightings of Chinese vessels at the weekend. But it is a race against time because the electronic device will soon stop sending signals. Yesterday in the Malaysian capital at least 4 thousand people prayed for passengers on board flight MH370: "Not a ceremony for the dead”.