Rubric Freedom of religion

Benedict XVI meets with members of the Pontifical Council for Promotion of the New Evangelization, meeting in plenary session. He asks them to contribute to the next Synod in October 2012. Reinvigorating the missionary spirit and offering a credible way of life "of poverty and detachment, of freedom from the powers of this world, in a word, of holiness."

For Angelo Del Boca, journalist and Libya expert, the high costs of the No Fly Zone have reduced to nothing any hope to see the blitz against Gaddafi succeed. Instead, the war might last several months because the Libyan leader still has troops, weapons and personal assets worth more than a billion Euros. The president of South Africa is in Libya to try a last moment deal with the Libyan government.

The plan by the Ministry of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms entails courses in Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism. Religious and spiritual leaders warn that however praiseworthy the initiative may be, it entails a great deal responsibility, and teachers must be well trained.

Arkan Jihad Yacob, vice director of a cement factory, was married and a father of four. Twice before he had escaped kidnapping attempts, but this time, his attackers were able to stop and kill him on his way to work. The guns used had silencers. Fear continues to grip the Christian community.

A first draft of the new constitution and guidelines to reintegrate Maoist fighters should be ready in three-month time. However, there are many questions about how prepared the parties are to work together. The deal for example lacks binding principles and a detailed agenda.

According to an Australian institute, India is one of the “least peaceful” nations of the world, ranked 135th out of 153 countries. For Fr Felix Raj, the Church must play an active role in establishing peaceful and harmonious coexistence among people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Korean-American Eddie Jun Yong-su spent six months in North Korean custody. He appeared in good conditions but did not make any statement. After landing in Beijing, he will see his family “in a day or two”. US diplomat denies rumours about a deal involving aid in exchange for the release.

The girl's father reported the kidnapping. In response, the police accused him of abusing alcohol and his daughters. Neighbour: the authorities overturned the facts, because they are colluding with criminals. Catholic priest killings and kidnappings of young Christian women common practice, encouraged by the mullahs and supported by the government.

A score of prominent Israelis have signed an open letter to European leaders in particular asking for support in September, for the recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations. A similar petition was made one month ago by 17 Nobel and other Israeli scientists and intellectuals.

Monk’s whereabouts are unknown. Police have occupied his monastery for more than a month, forcing monks to undergo “patriotic re-education”. Anyone who resists is removed.

At least 200 Catholics took part in a Mass held at St Margaret’s Church. More are scheduled until 3 June. On the anniversary, the faithful are urged to join the evening vigil at Victoria Park, where 150,000 people are expected. Some 20 Tiananmen Mothers have died without the opportunity of publicly mourning their children killed by tanks.

Despite a sea of propaganda, the meeting between Kim Jong-il and Hu Jintao ended with a revolutionary agreement: the creation of at least two areas of joint sovereignty open to the free market. Sources tell AsiaNews: "It's probably only a smoke screen, where China will fling its dissidents and North Korea will hide its weapons."

The authorities hope to complete the restoration work in three months. Those who carried out the attack are however still at large. Sources tell AsiaNews that the military are playing both sides, helping the actions of Muslim extremists.

Dozens of tribals arrested on false charges of trying to convert Hindu villagers. Members of the upper castes and the Hindu radicals are trying to block the battle against the caste system.

In addition to the faithful from Shanghai, Catholics from the diocese of Wenzhou and Yongnian. Shanghai’s underground Catholics absent. Silence surrounding the Vatican's beatification cause for Paul Xu Guangqi, converted at the time of Matteo Ricci. Bishop Xing: We wait patiently with Mary for full communion of the Church.

The bishop sent a letter to the "competent authorities at all levels", claiming the rightful ownership of the building. Yesterday a meeting with the local government, described as "a waste of time." The pain of the faithful for the continuing cases of forced evictions, despite a 2004 law to protect places of worship.

During a visit to South Korea with Mgr Celata, the president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue met President Lee, whose nation promotes “universal values”. The prelate notes that unity requires religion and culture, not politics alone.

According to the Scheduled Castes Order, only Dalit Hindus and Buddhists can enjoy the rights provided for their status. Christians and Muslims loose all rights, including the right to political representation. But even within Christianity, non Dalits alienate their outcast brothers and sisters.

The “dear leader” leaves Beijing after meeting the Chinese president. During talks with the Chinese leader, he asked for economic aid to North Korea. Sources tell AsiaNews that Hu Jintao is “tired of Pyongyang’s attitude”, and that he warned North Korean rulers that they “either sink or open up” their economy like China did. Kim Jong-il also travelled to Yangzhou, home of former President Jiang Zemin.

Muslim landowners use tractors to plough over a Christian cemetery in order to seize the land illegally. A 29-year-old mother is drugged and raped by six men. In both cases, police covers up for the culprits. Government must act, Faisalabad priest says.

Archbishop Louis Sako has been recognized by the Stephanus Foundation, in Germany. It is the third prize for the Iraqi archbishop, after the Defensor Fidei in 2008 and Pax Christi in 2010. In his acceptance speech he stresses the importance of Christian-Muslim dialogue and calles for greater commitment to peace.

The country is deadlocked, slipping deeper into economic crisis, as tourism and trade shrink. Politicians fight over positions, whilst more and more people are forced to emigrate. The patriarch tries to mend fences between Christian leaders on opposite sides of the political divide.

Catholics denounce the lack of mutual trust and shallow relationships. Problems "internal" plus the restrictions on religious freedom. To serve this "good shepherds" to promote the "communion" among the faithful. Learning from positive examples, as John Paul II and Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan.

Taking up Benedict XVI’s appeal, many dioceses in the north and south celebrated masses for the World Day of Prayer for China. Youth: The situation in Vietnam is similar to that of China. But atheism and the Marx-Leninism will collapse.

The tour of the relics of the patron saint of missions, which began on 14 March, has been marked by processions and moments of prayers and adoration in many cities. For security reasons, the stage in Gaza was cancelled. The urn containing the mortal remains of Saint Thérèse will remain in the Holy Land until 31 May.

The five pillars of the state, that led to the creation of Indonesia, are back on the political agenda. The institutional leaders promote them to counter the fundamentalist drift in the archipelago. Starting next year, it will be included on school curricula. Recruitment of adherents to the fundamentalist cause continues, through brainwashing.

All factions have agreed to suppress any sign of dissent, that could lead to a dreaded "jasmine revolution". But this persecution will only further distance the country from the international community. The analysis of one of the sharpest experts on the political reality in China

South Korean Protestant Pastor: "In North Korea there are still about 40 thousand Christians: some tortured and committed to labour camps, but who set an example for everyone." The Catholic Church does not confirm these figures but praises the attitude of those who managed to escape, "missionary of hope for us all."

The National Advisory Council approves a draft bill that would enable the central government to intervene in cases of communal violence. Parliament is expected to vote on the bill on Saturday. The “proposed legislation that purports to makes the executive more accountable and the judiciary prompt will act as a strong deterrent for those thriving on fomenting communal violence, particularly in the name of religion, caste and language,” the Bishops’ spokesman says.

Fighter planes carry out more than 20 raid against military buildings near Gaddafi bunker. France and Britain announce the use of helicopter gunships in future operations. President of the Italian Bishops, Cardinal Bagnasco calls for a ceasefire and the European Union to provide funds for the thousands of Libyan refugees fleeing to Italy and other European countries.