Events

Singapore urged to halt executions, abolish death penalty

City state which punishes 33 offenses with hanging is also urged to stop targeting anti-death penalty activists

We cannot be silent

Almost six months of war in Gaza, and the guns have not fallen silent. We, the members of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), like so many other Catholics, Christians, men and women of all faiths and non-believers, refuse to be silent.

US: Movie about Sister Cabrini makes a splash

A powerful and inspiring film about the life of Sister Frances Saverio Cabrini has been a great success in the U.S, including among atheists and those of other faiths.

The tide is turning in Myanmar

For a quarter of a century, my spiritual journey — with its inspiring moments and its heartaches — has been intertwined with Myanmar’s.

Tribal body in India's Manipur condemns attack on office

A tribal Christian forum in the strife-torn northeast Indian state of Manipur has condemned the attacks on its office and its spokesperson in two separate incidents.

Indian priest, 10 others get bail after one month in jail

Eleven Christians, including a Catholic priest, have secured bail after they were remanded under the stringent anti-conversion law in a northern Indian state more than a month ago.

Sri Lanka risks water crisis

Climatologists do not expect significant rainfall until May, and already last month the weather was very dry due to the impact of El Niño in the Asia-Pacific region in late 2023. Officials have urged the population to use water sparingly.

World churches group leader visits Holy Land to strengthen call for just peace

The head of the World Council of Churches is visiting the Holy Land and will meet the president of Israel and the Palestinian president as well as Christian leaders.

International day commemorating victims of Holocaust of profound importance, says UN human rights chief

The day commemorating the Holocaust is one of 'profound importance.'

Christians mourn Myanmar air strike victims

Seventeen villagers including six children were killed and at least 30 wounded in the deadly bombings in Sagaing region

2024 elections: Religious leaders call for social peace to be maintained

Convened by Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, the Peaceful Indonesia Forum issued a statement calling for free and fair voting, following a clash between opposing political factions that left one person dead last month.

Adel Misk: Israel’s war in Gaza and now the West Bank will not destroy Hamas

Israel’s 'war machine” wants to 'cleanse' Gaza. Only the intervention of the international community can stop this tragedy.

Islamic Prayer for Guidance

Anytime a Muslim is making a decision, he or she should seek Allah's guidance and wisdom

More than 4,300 killed in Turkey, Syria earthquakes

Rescuers in Turkey and Syria dug with their bare hands through the freezing night Tuesday hunting for survivors among the rubble of thousands of buildings felled in a series of violent earthquakes.

Indian govt against transfer of petitions on anti-conversion laws

The laws are enacted by states, no need to transfer petitions challenging them to Supreme Court, attorney general argues

Thérèse of Lisieux in Asia

On the 150th anniversary of the birth of the patron saint of missions, an exhibition in Paris tells the story of a “woman intellectual, seeker of meaning” with a section dedicated to her relations with the missionaries of the MÉP and the spread of her spirituality in Asia.

Asia, events in 2023

Many political elections and many anniversaries but few international events currently on the agenda of the Asian nations for 2023

Poland: Supporting women refugees

Women fleeing the war in Ukraine are at risk of gender-based violence

Asian Catholics praying for Pope Benedict

Many Catholic communities all over Asia have accepted the invitation Pope Francis made yesterday to recite a “special prayer” for Benedict XVI.

Mongolia, Christmas with Our Lady found in landfill

Consecrating Mongolia to Our Lady, in front of the statue of the Immaculate found among the garbage

Hong Kong will re-open China border as COVID surges

China, grappling with a new wave of COVID-19 infections, took another step towards loosening its pandemic-related restrictions on Saturday

The role of Indonesian women in deradicalisation initiatives

The growing role of women in attacks and bombings has emerged

Pope in Bahrain: religious freedom, education and concrete action against violence

The Forum for dialogue with other religious leaders

Ho Chi Minh City has a new auxiliary bishop

Mgr Joseph Bui Cong Trac, rector of St Joseph's Major Seminary, has been appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City by Pope Francis.

Women protest for third day, this time over lack of job opportunities

A group of women held a small but important gathering in downtown Kabul on Monday to protest against the alarming absence of employment opportunities for women across the country under Taliban rule.

New Mekong dam to force 10,000 residents out of 26 villages

Scores of hydroelectric dams have turned the Mekong into a completely artificial waterway.

International aid workers meet in Milan to face climate crisis issues

Over 100 aid workers from 26 countries have gathered in the northern Italian city of Milan to offer personal experiences, innovative approaches, and new perspectives on the most pressing issues related to the climate crisis.

Hindu nationalists stop bus carrying Christian children in Madhya Pradesh

In Khandwa, Hindu extremists prevented a meeting promoted by the diocese claiming that tribal children were being taken “for religious conversion.

Brother Andrew, a life for persecuted Christians, has died

The founder of Open Doors passed away at the age of 94

Ukraine war: the bloody mobilisation of Buryatia

Putin's order to recruit 300,000 new soldiers for deployment in the conflict is being carried out in a chaotic manner at the local level.