Asia

Indonesia's parliament approved a new criminal code on Tuesday (Dec 6) that bans sex outside marriage with a punishment of up to one year in jail.

The Bishops of Asia say they have been “challenged” by the voices of the poor, the earth, women, young people, and struggling families.

As the Bishops of Asia wrap up their General Conference in Bangkok, Indian-born Cardinal Oswald Gracias says FABC delegates have been “eagerly trying to listen to every whisper of the Holy Spirit”.

In his address to the Asian Bishops' General Conference on Saturday, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle focuses on the importance of reading in an age of social media to develop critical thinking and empathy.

Laywomen are also participating as invited guests at the General Conference of Asian Bishops, and they have much to say about the important role they are playing at the Conference.

As the Bishops of Asia draw near the end of their first General Conference, Cardinal Charles Bo expresses his hopes that the Church in Asia might embrace harmony with the poor, other religions, and the surrounding culture.

The Cardinal and Bishop delegates, along with priests, religious and lay people attending the General Conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences, went on pilgrimage on Thursday to explore Thailand’s Catholic and social history.

Among those participating in the FABC General Conference in Bangkok are laymen who have been invited as guests. They too come from all over Asia. Their presence makes the People of God “complete”.

Susan Pescoe, a member of the team who drafted the Synod Continental Document shares with delegates at the FABC General Conference how Pope Francis was involved in the process.

Six women religious attending the Asian Bishop's General Conference in Bangkok explain that their presence is important, since they represent the poor, minorities, the vulnerable, and local people across the region.

Three Asian Cardinals attending the General Conference of the FABC taking place in Bangkok meet with members of the press on Monday, each sharing how the Holy Spirit is guiding the process undertaken.

The first week of the General Conference of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conference (FABC) meeting in Bangkok wraps up with a challenge to reflect on how participants can bring hope in our contemporary world.

The head of the Asian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Bo, told a gathering of bishops from across the continent that Asian spirituality’s emphasis on actions over words is a gift to the modern Church.

Pope Francis encourages members of the Federation of Asian Bishops gathered in Thailand this month to discern what the Holy Spirit is saying to them, while maintaining fraternity and embracing the poor, young people, and dialogue.

The President of Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) highlights the important achievements of the Churches in Asia over the past five decades, and calls for 'comprehensive change and robust renewal' to address the new pressing challenges of our times.

Celebrations are underway as the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) marks fifty years of its existence, beginning on Monday with an inauguration at the shrine of Thai martyred priest, Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung. The events are taking place in the context of its first ever General Conference.

The Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences requests prayers from the faithful as it prepares to inaugurate the FABC 50 General Conference in August, with the aim of charting their direction for the coming years.

Protesters say they don't need support from chief prelates and would like to see President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in jail

A survey by Save the Children Fund finds that a third of Afghan families have lost their entire household income since the Taliban takeover of the country in August.

The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) invites applications for the following positions at the CCA headquarters in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

India’s Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu paid homage to the country’s Catholic Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara for his contribution to harmony, tolerance and social uplift through spiritual, educational, social and cultural reforms.

Archbishop Joseph Mitsuaki Takami of Nagasaki highlights the importance of joint efforts toward peace, as Japan commemorates the 76th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The world’s largest humanitarian network has raised an alarm that the world's fastest surge of Covid-19 is taking place in Asia, pushing hospitals and health systems in the continent to the brink of collapse.

Pope Francis says he is praying for the victims of devastating floods and landslides that engulfed a cluster of islands in Indonesia and East Timor.

In a joint message, twelve cardinals from across the continent call on all in Myanmar for an end to violence and express their closeness to Cardinal Bo and the Church in the troubled nation.

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AA): Indonesia’s top Muslim body on Friday declared China’s Sinovac vaccine for COVID-19 halal, or permissible under Islam.

LWF speaks at Canadian Parliament on human rights in Rakhine State

The national director of Caritas Philippines appeals for everyone’s “kindness, generosity and compassion” to help those hit by Typhoon Goni, the world’s most powerful tropical storm this year.

The Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences is calling for the release of Indian Jesuit priest Father Stan Swamy and 15 human rights activists facing trial for alleged links with Maoist rebels.

With the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, the Mother Church of the Philippines is reopening its doors to the public on September 16, while limiting numbers.