Asia

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  20 March 2025
  ASIA/MYANMAR - In the war zone, among the Kachin, a life of suffering, displacement and faith Banmaw (Agenzia Fides) - "There is crying and despair in the diocese of Banmaw folloowing the destruction of St. Patrick's Cathedral, set on fire by the Myanmar army (see Fides, 17/3/2025). I have seen many faithful cry ...
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  18 March 2025
  ASIA/INDONESIA - A ‘common vision’ for humanity and peace: Interview with the Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations by Paolo Affatato Rome (Agenzia Fides) – “Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia and the signing of the Istiqlal Declaration last September were a crowning achievement of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the ...
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  17 March 2025
  ASIA/CHINA - Two churches dedicated to Saint Joseph reconsecrated and reopened in the diocese of Shanghai Shanghai (Agenzia Fides) – “Since the visible temple has been rebuilt, we must now also make the interior temple of our heart more spiritually alive”. This is the exhortation addressed by Joseph Shen Bin, Bishop of ...
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  17 March 2025
  ASIA/MYANMAR - Banmaw, fire destroys St Patrick's Cathedral Banmaw (Agenzia Fides) - The Cathedral of Banmaw, a town in the state of Kachin, in Myanmar, was destroyed by fire on Sunday 16 March, on the eve of the feast of St Patrick, the Saint to whom it is dedicated. The Cath ...
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  15 March 2025
  ASIA/HOLY LAND - Way of the Cross of the Catholic schools in Jerusalem, praying for peace and for the Pope's health by Dietrich Bäumer* Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) - "God, our Father in Heaven, to you we raise our prayers for all the sick, especially for Pope Francis," read the placards carried by the boys and girls of the Catholic ...
• 15 March 2025
  ASIA/VIETNAM - Appointment of auxiliary bishop of Hung Hoá Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Paul Nguyen Quang Dinh, until now vicar general of the diocese of Hung Hoá, Vietnam, responsible for Son Loc Cathedral and the diocesan liturgica ...
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  14 March 2025
  ASIA/JAPAN - Manga comics bring the stories of hidden Christians to life Tokyo (Agenzia Fides) - How can the treasure of a testimony of faith that took place centuries ago, of which only a few traces remain in historical documents, be passed on to new generations? Manga comics were used for t ...
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  12 March 2025
  ASIA/CHINA - A new "Rosary Group" is formed in Huangzhou to pray for the Pope's intentions Wenzhou (Agenzia Fides) - Pray according to the intentions indicated each month by the Pope, the diocese, and the parish community, following each day the path indicated by the humility of Mary. This was the intention wi ...
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  12 March 2025
  ASIA/INDIA - New violence in Manipur: a “comprehensive dialogue plan” is needed to address it Imphal (Agenzia Fides) – New episodes of violence have broken four months of relative calm in the Indian state of Manipur, rekindling tensions in this northeastern region. Clashes broke out on March 8, leaving one Kuki ...
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  11 March 2025
  ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Rodrigo Duterte arrested as country prepares for mid-term vote Manila (Agenzia Fides) - Executing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), Philippine police arrested former President Rodrigo Duterte, 79, today, March 11, at Manila airport, immediately afte ...
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  10 March 2025
  ASIA/CHINA - The intense beginning of Lent for Chinese Catholic communities: Pilgrimages, catechism courses, works of charity Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Pilgrimages, Lenten catechism courses, liturgies to confer the “missionary mandate” to catechists and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, works of charity of social importance such a ...
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  10 March 2025
  ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Moratorium on mining in Palawan, to protect indigenous people and territory Puerto Princesa (Agenzia Fides) – The provincial government of the island of Palawan, in the western part of the Philippine archipelago, has approved a decree imposing a 50-year moratorium on mining on the island, both ...
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  10 March 2025
  ASIA/MYANMAR - Between suffering and war, the special prayer of the Rosary for the Pope Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – “In their homes, at 5 p.m. every evening, Catholic families, women, children and the elderly, gather to pray the Rosary for the health of Pope Francis. Others do it in the camps for displaced ...
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  9 March 2025
  ASIA/SYRIA - Sectarian massacres: Patriarchs of the Churches call for an end to the logic of revenge Damascus (Agenzia Fides) – The Patriarchs of three indigenous Churches historically rooted in Syria have signed a joint appeal to stop the “horrible massacres” perpetrated in recent days in several provinces of the ...
• 8 March 2025
  ASIA/INDIA - Appointment of bishop of Cuddapah Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Paul Prakash Saginala, of the clergy of Cuddapah, India, until now professor of sacred scripture at Saint John’s Regional Seminary in Hyderabad, ...