The prelate last week addressed the plenary session of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference (ACBC), highlighting his country’s multiple challenges, from earthquakes and healthcare to war and the economy. He bore witness to the devastation caused by the 2021 military coup while reiterating the strength of the local Catholic community. The US State Department acknowledges religious persecution.
The historic Orthodox church of Agios Nikolaos will become a public library. According to scholars, the building’s remarkable architecture offers a unique atmosphere for reading. Meanwhile, Bartholomew I has announced for September the reopening of the historic seminary with a grand ceremony, but its future use remains uncertain.
The victims, members of the Thadou Baptist Association, were attacked in Kangpokpi district as they made their way home from a religious conference, sparking concern in a region ravaged by ethnic violence for the past three years. For the archbishop of Imphal, the parties to the conflict must not deepen the pain. He calls for life to be defended, as well as “forgiveness” and “peaceful coexistence,” urging the authorities to restore trust.
A nun has been attacked, the door of the Armenian cathedral has been spat upon, symbols of the faith have been desecrated. Abbot Schnabel spoke to AsiaNews about what is happening. Some places like Mount Zion are more at risk because extremists and radicals consider them their own. In the case of the attack against the Tabgha church, the “lawyer who defended the arsonists was Itamar Ben-Gvir. Now he is the minister in charge of national security, in charge of my security,” said the abbot.
In a village in the district of Banswara, four Catholics were arrested on charges of “conversion” for organising a Marian prayer in a private garden. At St Teresa’s Academy in Modinagar, a dispute with a teacher has become a “cause” for nationalists. Orissa human rights group: “Police and authorities complicit in violence against Christian Adivasis and Dalits”.
Parts of the place of worship have been vandalised, causing fear among residents of the Fateh Chowk district. Members of the community organised a demonstration, blocking traffic and chanting slogans in support of religious freedom. The details of the attack and the identity of those responsible remain unclear. The police intervention, and the promise to punish those responsible, has restored calm.
From India to Australia, Tibetan expatriates in 27 countries elected the 45-member assembly with 93 candidates running. Just over 91,000 voters cast their ballot. The five-year parliament, based in Dharamsala, serves as the representative body for the approximately 150,000 Tibetans living in exile. Young voters call for greater attention to the community's future.
AsiaNews reports the heart-wrenching story of survival and the struggle for freedom of a young father of two. For months, the factory owner kept him in conditions of slavery to exploit his labour without paying his wages. Freed thanks to the intervention of an NGO and a court ruling. Azhar Saeed: this is not an isolated tragedy, but part of a much wider injustice.
The BJP-led state government has renamed a 16th-century pillar to make it a symbol of Hindu victims of the Inquisition. For scholar Frazer Andrade, the new name is misleading, lacking any verifiable historical evidence. Meanwhile, a local nationalist leader lashed out at Saint Francis Xavier in a debate, calling him "a terrorist”. The archdiocese expressed outrage, saying that the saint is “revered not only in Goa but by millions of people across the globe,” an example of “peace and unity”.
On Sunday, a mob attacked Sanka Christian Para, a tribal village, injuring six. The raid stemmed from ongoing tensions over land claimed by Rezaul Islam. Catholics in the area, where PIME missionaries were the first to proclaim the Gospel in 1965, have appealed to the authorities for help and protection.
The Israeli activist, who has fought for years in Jerusalem against religious intolerance, spoke about the action of an IDF soldier who tore down and smashed a cross in southern Lebanon. Israel’s military and foreign minister have apologised. Harani calls for education, even in the religious sector. She hopes to see an exemplary sentence.
A new release by the human rights NGO highlights the increased pressure by Chinese authorities on Catholics in the shadow of "sinicisation" and the agreement with the Holy See on episcopal appointments. A member of an underground community merged into an official diocese laments that, “We started praying like we were thieves.” A United Front document has emerged calling for telling on parents who “instill religious ideas to their children”.
Activists call this a "long-awaited step" that ends a process that began three years ago. The goal was to ensure that non-Muslim children could also study their own religious tradition in school. However, issues related to the practical application of the policy remain. Teacher recruitment, training, and budget allocations are among the "significant challenges”.
An analysis from an observer familiar with the Church's journey in mainland China notes that Pope Leo’s remarks about China clearly show him as the shepherd with the “smell of the flock" hoped for by Pope Francis. For this reason, the faithful today hope to see a change that will give hope for the future, even to those who wish to live their faith in China.
The accident occurred while a group of worshippers were on their way to a Easter vigil. The vehicle drove into the crowd at high speed. Following the incident, the local Catholic community protested the police failure to deploy officers to protect the celebration.
After decades of moving from place to place, the Tesalonika Ecumenical Christian Congregation in Banten province celebrated Good Friday in their own house of prayer. However, they still have to contend with the seals placed on the place of worship by local authorities who refuse to issue permits, partly due to hostility from local residents. Minority groups often face this kind of obstacle in Indonesia.
Bishop Palinuro tells AsiaNews about the Holy Week celebrations, just a few months after the Pope’s visit. The repercussions of the Gulf War are hitting the most vulnerable: the poor, migrants and refugees. Ankara “has not responded” to Tehran’s “provocations” and remains a “moderating presence” in regional conflicts. Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey continues to “yield positive results”.
The event took place yesterday at the National Press Club in the capital, organised by the Bangladesh Christian Association. Leaders pointed out that other religions enjoy numerous public holidays, whilst Christians have only one at Christmas. Among their demands is greater participation in the country’s public life.
The celebrations for the start of Holy Week were subdued in response to recent violence. In Suqaylabiyah, extremist groups targeted Christian businesses and young women walking down the street. The archbishop of Homs reports that the situation is calm now, but problems remain unresolved. It is wrong to entrust weapons and security solely to Sunnis. A “cycle of revenge" is “silently” unfolding.
The extremists set up a tent and raised an Israeli flag. The attacks aimed at seizing land carry religious, political, legal, and symbolic implications. For the local parish priest, Father Bashar, despite difficult circumstances, the Christian community wants to celebrate Easter "with deep faith”. The patriarchs and heads of the Churches of Jerusalem issued a message of peace.
A statement from all the bishops of the state where the Archdiocese of Mumbai is located, which has become the thirteenth to adopt the regulations sought by Hindu nationalists against “forced conversions.” The complaint: “Direct and unjustified interference in the legitimate religious practices of the Catholic Church, particularly in its program for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.”
The bishops will meet between 9 and 15 April to choose a new patriarch. The former head will not participate nor vote so as not to "influence" the decision. This ancient Eastern Church, rooted in Mesopotamia, is currently experiencing a period of difficulty due to the exodus and war. The challenges of the last decade include the Islamic State group and the revocation of the presidential decree.
The measure was made official on 9 March, a few days after a delegation met with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The memorandum was also presented to opposition leader VD Satheesan. Now they will be able to enjoy benefits and concessions in line with those of other Christian groups. Local Catholic source of AsiaNews: a positive move, even if there are still some critical issues in these communities.
The auxiliary bishop of Bombay weighs in on the ongoing debate in this Indian state over the bill against "forced" conversions that the state government wants to submit to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. “[I]solated incidents [. . .] could be addressed under existing criminal laws.” A source of concern, the bill is contrary to personal freedom since it would allow a relative to file a complaint.
21-year-old Marcus Masih died on 4 March at the farm where he worked. The owners spoke of ‘suicide’, but there are clear signs of violence on the body. The community takes to the streets and demands justice, but the police report them for obstructing traffic. The family is under pressure to avoid trial and prison for the suspects.
Speaking to AsiaNews, the Chaldean prelate described a situation on hold, with schools and universities closed amidst great instability. Iraqi Kurdistan is once again impacted by foreign wars. People are concerned about the future and are trying to avoid being dragged into the conflict between Israel, the United States and Iran. Christians pray for peace, remember Francis’s visit to Iraq, and receive support from Pope Leo XIV.
In a letter to the authorities and the people, the apostolic vicar speaks of days “marked by the pain and uncertainty of war”. He calls for a “common and tireless commitment to peace”. Iranian attacks continue, with two buildings and a hotel hit overnight. In the background are the sectarian tensions between Shiites and Sunnis that have inflamed the country in the past.
Attieh Fard, a political leader and lawyer who has lived in the United Kingdom for many years, spoke to AsiaNews about a country willing to accept war to end the clerical regime, its torture and killings. The nomination of Mojtaba Khamenei is a source of concern as some see him as "worse than his father”, Ali Khamenei. The lack of external support for the popular uprisings and the need to protect the borders are important issues.
Renewed fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban is further exacerbating the precarious situation of families registered as refugees by the UNHCR but without a clear pathway to permanent resettlement. Often living incognito for security reasons, they fear repatriation to Afghanistan, under a government that persecutes them. One woman pleads: "I want my children to be able to grow up without fear.”
The latest victim is a 47-year-old teacher and mother of three, shot to the head in the Wadi al-Nasara region. Activists and NGOs warn of targeted attacks and disturbing disappearances under the influence of Islamic extremism. With the start of Ramadan, shops and restaurants have been attacked for selling alcohol. In Homs, at least 10 Alawites have been killed.
