Asia

Scholas Chairs Congress: AI must liberate, not enslave

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue participated in the meeting in Indonesia organized by Scholas Occurrentes and United in Diversity. In addition to commemorating the second anniversary of Pope Francis’s apostolic journey to Southeast Asia and the signing of the Istiqlal Interreligious Declaration, the event reflected on themes from the encyclical “Magnifica humanitas” and the “sensible” use of technology.

Filipinos celebrate 40th anniversary of People Power in Rome

Filipino clergy, religious, and lay faithful residing in Rome gather to remember EDSA People Power as a moment of courage, unity, and moral clarity.

Indonesian Church strengthens fight against human trafficking

Following the rescue of 13 young women in Flores, the Church in Indonesia is doubling down in its efforts to combat human trafficking.

Children of Myanmar celebrate World Mission Sunday

Despite ongoing suffering, more than 1,500 children of Myanmar's Archdiocese of Yangon celebrate World Mission Sunday, with a call by Myanmar's Cardinal Charles Maung Bo to love the Lord like the recently-canonized young Saint Carlo Acutis and to be missionaries full of faith and joy despite all the difficulties.

Thai Catholic Church voices concern over Cambodia border conflict

In an interview with the Italian Catholic news agency AgenSIR, the President of the Thai Bishops’ Conference expresses his concern over the conflict brewing at the border with Cambodia and calls for a culture of solidarity and fraternity.

A Marian festival in Indonesia brings Christians and Muslims together

For five weeks on Flores Island, 26 parishes partake in processions and prayers ahead of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

FABC welcomes new executive secretary of Social Communication's Office

Father John Mi Shen, program director of Radio Veritas Asia, has been appointed as the executive secretary of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences' Office of Social Communication, succeeding Father George Plathodam, SDB.

Cardinal Bo rejoices over new Bishop in Myanmar's troubled Kachin State

The President of Myanmar's Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, commends the faith and service of newly-consecrated Bishop John Mung La Sam in northern Myanmar's Kachin State. He also remembers all those displaced and suffering due to conflicts and tensions in the region.

Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão officially assumes office as new FABC President

On 1 January 2025, Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão officially assumed his role as the President of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences. The President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) and Archbishop of Goa succeeds Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar who had served two terms.

Cardinal Bo bids farewell: 'We have forged a legacy'

Cardinal Charles Maung Bo issues farewell message as he concludes his second and final three-year term as President of the Federation of the Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC), in which he expresses gratitude for varied successes which 'forged a legacy,' and warmly welcomes his successor Cardinal Felipe Neri Ferrão of India.

Promoting peace: Thai youth go the “Ektra” mile for religious harmony

Over 200 students from more than 40 schools in Thailand come together at the Sarasas Suvarnabhumi Institute of Technology in Bangkok to present creative solutions for fostering interreligious harmony.

Thailand’s Divine Mercy chapel brings Laudato si’ to life

In a rapidly urbanizing district east of Bangkok, a new chapel aims to stand out—not just for its spiritual significance but also for its innovative commitment to sustainability.

An overview of the Church in Singapore

As Pope Francis prepares to visit Singapore on his Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, we offer an overview of the Catholic Church in the country.

An overview of the Church in Timor-Leste

As Pope Francis prepares to visit Timor-Leste on his Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, we offer an overview of the Church in the country.

An overview of the Church in Papua New Guinea

As Pope Francis prepares to visit Singapore on his Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, we offer an overview of the Catholic Church in the country.

An overview of the Church in Indonesia

As Pope Francis prepares to undertake his Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, we offer an overview of the Church in Indonesia, where he will visit on September 3-6.

Well-known Asian evangelizer buried in India

Metropolitan Moran Mor Athanasius Yohan, dubbed Asia’s richest evangelizer, died in the US in a road mishap a fortnight ago

Japan opens its doors wider to foreign workers, refugees

Real challenge lies in integration of vastly different worldviews, lifestyles into a society that has been relatively insular.

Myanmar's Cardinal Bo: In wounded world, let us kneel in solidarity

This Holy Week, the President of the Myanmar Bishops' Conference, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, urges the faithful to join together in praying for peace to 'stop the turmoil of war,' and encourages people of good will to welcome Pope Francis' calls for dialogue and reconciliation.

Myanmar’s democracy protesters turn armed rebels to fight junta

At least 4,400 people have been killed in the military's crackdown on dissent since the coup, according to local monitoring group

Stop the systematic targeting of Christians in Myanmar

Muslims have already faced a genocide that the world failed to stop, so let’s act now

Asian Church holds ‘Bishops Meet’ to renew communication mission

Asian Catholic media professionals descend on Thailand for the 28th annual Bishop’s Meet to share their desire to help the Church communicate the mercy and joy of the Gospel.

Hong Kong Bishop visits Beijing in the name of unity

Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan concluded a five-day visit to Beijing at the invitation of Archbishop Li Shan. He was thus able to meet the Catholic community of the Chinese capital. The purpose of the visit was to promote communion between the two dioceses.

Church of Asia: ‘Taking off our shoes’ expresses synodal journey

The Churches in Asia find their voice and publish their response to the Continental Stage of the Synod, which is characterized through an ancient traditional Asian custom.

FABC Bangkok document ushers in kairos moment for Church in Asia

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) held a 50th anniversary General Conference from 12-30 October 2022. On Wednesday, the document Conference delegates drafted was launched during an online event.

Digital Synod brings Catholic Church ‘closer to digital natives’

The “Digital Synod” reached an estimated 20 million people and gleaned tens of thousands of responses from non-Catholics and non-believers, according to Fr Jeffrey Segovia, who points out that real people lie behind all the clicks and likes that fill social media.

Cardinal Hollerich: 'Church of Asia has a lot to give the world'

The third and final day of the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality opened with an orientation by Cardinal Hollerich, who focused his remarks on synod as symphony and the need for conversion.

Laymen contribute their Asian voices in the synodal process

Laymen participating in the Asian Continental Assembly see the synod as a vehicle for bringing change, new ways of thinking, and new directions, and are happy to have contributed their Asian voices to the process.

Sr Nathalie Becquart: ‘Synodality – the process that ecclesializes'

Day two of the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality began with an orientation provided by Sr Nathalie Becquart, who praised the delegates for their ability to talk about tensions without tension.

Lay women speaking out on behalf of others in Asian synodal assembly

Women speak on the sidelines of the Asian Continental Assembly on Synodality, assuring their peers that, ‘In the synodal process, we are with you and our voices should be heard.’