For ten years, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea has held two visits annually to listen to people in places that are important for the life of the Church and society. On the mudflats near the longest dyke in world, built 20 years ago, the bishops saw first-hand the dyke’s environmental impact on local communities, which was front-page news following last year’s Scouts Jamboree debacle.
A study sponsored in London by the British and Foreign Bible Society measures the impact of the arrival of more than 200,000 Hong Kongers in the country over the past three years. There are now 18% Christians in the communities, a much higher percentage than in China, Taiwan or Hong Kong. But even among those who are not linked to any religious denomination, interest in Christianity is emerging.
In the Indian state of West Bengal, two PIME Fathers and two Sisters of the Immaculate accompany a Christian tribal community that is very poor but proud of its roots.
On the occasion of the World Day for Vocations, the 50th anniversary of the Major Seminary of the Holy Spirit, which has trained 445 priests as well as numerous religious and lay people, was celebrated. Card. D'Rozario: "A great gift from God and the heart of our local Church in Bangladesh".
Archbishop Gallagher’s meetings in Hanoi brought to the fore the unique relationship between Vietnam’s Catholicism and the country’s rulers, a topic revisited a few weeks ago in Paris in an interesting conference by Prof Claire Tran at the headquarters of the MÉP. It all started with the “instructions” given by Pope Alexander VII in 1659 to the first apostolic vicar Pierre Lambert de la Motte.
In a letter circulated on Palm Sunday by the Archbishop of Yangon an appeal 'to end the long nights of conflict and fear'. A prayer that God will "soften the hearts of those rooted in violence and enable them to embrace the path of reconciliation".
Goa’s BJP chief minister has asked the Prime Minister Modi to renew the invitation he made in 2021 to the pope to visit India. Set for 21 November 2024-5 January 2025, the decennial exposition attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India. But some fear the announcement is just an electioneering move to woo Christian voters in the coming spring general elections.
A seminar sponsored in Taiwan by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue with Fu Jen Catholic University in a move to formulate some guidelines on a confrontation that the focus on the Chinese world makes increasingly necessary. Also starting tomorrow in Hong Kong is the third Christian-Taoist Dialogue.
Bishop Ri Iong-hoon, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, issued an appeal in the wake of labour dispute that has paralysed South Korean hospitals for the past two weeks. For the prelate, “the sanctity of life takes precedence over everything else.” Both sides “must find a compromise” so that patients are not held “hostage to unavoidable conflicts.”
The priest passed away this week at the age of 80. For decades, he was the soul of the STF Driyarkara in Jakarta. It was he who brought many lay people closer to the study of a discipline that was thought to be reserved for seminarians and who promoted 'Indonesian studies' on the thinking behind local values and multi-ethnic cultures.
A book published in Italy traces the story of the missionary bishop of Zhengzhou, the immediate predecessor of one of three recently appointed bishops in the People's Republic of China. Paul VI praised him for his extraordinary example of courage and fidelity to the Gospel in communist imprisonment and for the love he always kept alive for the flock that had been entrusted to him, even in exile.
Founded by PIME missionaries, it is the destination of pilgrimages of hundreds of thousands of faithful. Bishop Raja Rao: "Mary is blessed here even by non-Christians". PIME Superior General Fr. Brambillasca: "Let it be a place where missionary vocations continue to be born for the whole world".
The Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Piero Pioppo led the episcopal ordination of the new coadjutor Archbishop Fransiskus Nipa. The metropolitan archbishop, Mgr Johannes Liku Ada', was also present. He recently turned 75 and has health problems, limiting his activity. One of the new prelate’s first assignments will be taking care of 49 parishes in four provinces on the island of Sulawesi.
A support centre has been set up in Kanazawa parish to collect aid from other dioceses for survivors of the earthquake that struck the area on New Year Day, killing 232. In the worst-hit towns of Wajima and Nanao, restarting kindergarten services is a priority despite serious difficulties. A “restaurant” has also been set up to provide a hot meal as well as serve as a venue for people to come together.
The solemn ceremony in Phan Tieh following the 'paralell' one held on 29 October in Hanoi for Bishop Francois Pallu. The 17th century french missionarieswere the country's first two bishops. They encourgaed the first local priests and the first congregation of nuns in Asia. A symbolic gesture of the vitality of the Vietnamese Church.
Located in a neighbourhood near the border, the new church of St Joseph parish was consecrated on the Solemnity of the Epiphany. The old church was too small in a fast-growing area with housing projects changing its nature as mainland students and government workers settle in. For Fr Pietro Paolo Dossi, a PIME missionary and the local parish priest, this represents an opportunity for the community to “renew itself”.
In parishes across the country but also in the diaspora of migrants in every corner of the world, the tradition of Simbang Gabi, the dawn celebrations on the days of the Christmas novena, is renewed. Bishops' Conference president Msgr. David: "They help us to truly welcome Christ into our lives."
Archbishop Louis Nguyễn Anh Tuấn of Ha Tinh, who participated in the recent synod, offers his testimony. He speaks about the joy of the faithful for Pope Francis's letter, their expectation about his visit, the solidarity Christians showed during COID-19, all of which boosted their confidence. Can Vietnam be a model for relations between the Vatican and China? This “will not be easy for China because of the different context.” Vietnam wants to open up to the world. The Vietnamese can be “good citizens” as well as “bear witness to the Gospel.”
At least four people were killed and dozens injured in a very serious attack against Christians at the university in the Muslim-majority city in Mindanao, which was the scene of five months of war in 2017 after a local Islamist group took control and proclaimed Islamic State. Philippine bishops' president Msgr David: 'Killed while professing their faith. But the Church will go on working for peace'.
In an exclusive account, AsiaNews is publishing the thoughts of the Turkish prelate who was ordained bishop yesterday. He is committed to dialogue, rebuilding, and working to consolidate the local Church. In his homily, the vicar of Istanbul noted the new bishop can be “an instrument of consolation and a messenger of hope” to a community marked by the earthquake. Today he had lunch with Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and led his first Mass with young people.
The testimony of a nun who has been ministering for 20 years to the homeless and needy in the slums of Bihar: "Too often they experience that they do not matter; no one stops to notice them. Instead, we listen to their questions that are difficult to answer."
A missionary with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, he has been serving the poor near Seoul for over 30 years, in a highly competitive society that refuses to see the least.
The Archbishop of Beijing expected in a few days to return Chow's visit to the Chinese capital in April. Words to the diocese from the new cardinal after his journey to Rome for the Consistory and Synod: "Even in Hong Kong we are divided: let us take a few steps to reach out to those who are far from us, both in the physical and digital worlds."
The first session of the Synodal Assembly ended with a vote of the synthesis report. On many issues, the latter highlights the convergences, open questions and proposals that emerged during the work in Rome. Below, we publish chapter 5 on the relationship between mission and inculturation, which is a major issue for many Churches in Asia. The typically Asian image of "taking off one's shoes" to meet others is offered to the whole world.
Synod assembly enters final week of gathering in Rome.
Pope Francis has appointed Archbishop Linus Neli to lead the archdiocese of Imphal, which has been shaken for months by ethnic violence that has already caused 200 deaths. The new archbishop tells AsiaNews: "We pray for a peace that is not just cosmetic, strong in a hope that has its root in God. We will remain close to the refugees who still suffer in the camps'.
On the eve of the Assembly that opens in Rome and where two of its own bishops will also be present, the Catholic Church in Vietnam sent a message to the faithful indicating the theme of enhancing the mission of the laity in 2024. "In Vietnam, due to historical circumstances, combined with difficult living conditions and a misunderstanding of doctrine, some live their faith passively. But the heritage of faith transmitted by the blood of the martyrs is entrusted to each of us".
The Royal University of Phnom Penh, Missions Étrangères de Paris, and local historians are behind the conference, which drew young researchers interested in a history that began five centuries ago, well before the French protectorate. For Fr Legnani, from PIME, it was important to remember all those who share “history and suffering with the Khmer people.”
In Pagadian, South Zamboanga province, the foundation promoted by St. Columba missionaries celebrated its anniversary of supporting poor families with children with disabilities. Educational pathways, home care and help with job placement the activities brought forward. But above all, the elimination of prejudice.
The small Church of Mongolia that is currently meeting Pope Francis is closely connected to the Diocese of Ningxia in China, home until three years ago of the only Mongolian (underground) bishop in the history of the Catholic Church. Known in Chinese as Ma Zhongmu, he was jailed for 11 years for refusing to join the Patriotic Association. After the Cultural Revolution, he sought out each one of his scattered flocks. He translated the Bible and the Roman Missal into Mongolian.
