Asia - Pacific News
East Timor cardinal-elect 'almost fainted' when he heard Pope Francis had chosen him
The newest — and first — cardinal-elect of the island nation of East Timor says he was completely surprised by... Read more
Cardinal Zen appears in court in Hong Kong
The date set for Cardinal Zen’s trial is Sept. 19. Read more
Final Australian state allows euthanasia and assisted suicide, rejecting religious exemptions
New South Wales has become the sixth and final Australian state to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide. Its legislation forces... Read more
Cardinal Zen may be in Hong Kong court next week
Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun is scheduled to appear in court May 24, according to a report by the British daily... Read more
International community laments Cardinal Zen's 'precarious' position
The arrest this week of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun in Hong Kong continues to attract international condemnation, with the U.S.... Read more
Cardinal Zen released on bail
The news emerged shortly after the Vatican said that it was concerned to hear of reports of his arrest. Read more
Former Hong Kong bishop Cardinal Zen arrested
The 90-year-old was reportedly detained in his role as a trustee of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund. Read more
Australia’s Catholic bishops elect new leader
Archbishop Timothy Costelloe of Perth is the first member of a religious order to lead Australia’s bishops’ conference. Read more
Bishop Paul Hinder, apostolic vicar of Southern Arabia, retires
He led the Catholic Church on the Arabian peninsula for 17 years. Read more
Hong Kong priest: China trying to control religion in Hong Kong
Speaking publicly under his own name for the first time, a Hong Kong priest says the Chinese Communist Party is... Read more
Self-sabotaging Catholicism won't help Australia, archbishop says of plenary council prep
At a time when Catholicism in Australia faces crises such as a loss of faith and declining religious practice, a... Read more
UPDATE: Soldiers searching for weapons leave Burma cathedral
Government soldiers departed from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and its compound in downtown Mandalay Saturday after a thorough... Read more
Burmese archbishop remains under house arrest; 'We are all praying,' priest says
Residents of downtown Mandalay remain on edge as a military occupation of the Catholic archdiocesan compound continues for a second... Read more
Burmese soldiers invade Catholic cathedral, detain archbishop
Approximately 40 Burmese soldiers forcibly took control of a Catholic cathedral in Mandalay on Friday and detained an archbishop and... Read more
In China, Christian human rights activist faces mistreatment, fabricated charges, supporters say
Li Qiaochu, a prominent Christian and labor rights activist in China, has been imprisoned for more than a year. Her... Read more
Sri Lankan cardinal laments slow pace, possible corruption in Easter attacks investigation
The Archbishop of Colombo highlighted the frustrations of his people over the perceived lack of investigation and prosecutions related to... Read more
School credits for Pakistan inmates should apply to non-Muslims, too, petition states
Inmates in Pakistan's Punjab province can cut their jail time by taking classes, but only Muslim inmates are given the... Read more
Catholic archdiocese deplores burning of cardinals’ effigies at Syro-Malabar uniform liturgy protest
‘The archdiocese completely condemns such unchristian protests,’ a spokesman said. Read more
Fearful of world war, Philippines' bishops to join Pope Francis’ consecration of Russia and Ukraine
Voicing concern that the far-away conflict in Europe will have consequences in Asia, the Catholic bishops of the Philippines, one... Read more
India court upholds hijab ban in schools as religious tensions continue in Karnataka
The state of Karnataka may ban Muslim girls from wearing head scarves in schools, the state’s highest court has ruled,... Read more
