China deemed a top religious freedom concern in 2021
China remains a primary human rights concern in 2021, a federal religious freedom commissioner told CNA this week.
ASIA
Underground Catholic bishop dies in China
According to the Catholic outlet AsiaNews, headquartered in Rome, Bishop Andrea Han Jingtao, 99, a leader in the underground Catholic Church in China, died Dec. 30.
Chinese Patriotic Association announces ordination of new bishop
The Chinese Patriotic Association announced Monday the ordination of a new bishop of Qingdao.
Killing of catechist alarms Indonesia’s Catholic bishops
Catholic bishops in Indonesia met with government officials this week to express concern about the violence in Papua province after a Catholic catechist was shot and killed by security forces.
Brunei’s cardinal-elect says Church can’t be a ‘little bubble’
Cardinal-designate Cornelius Sim certainly was surprised to learn Pope Francis had chosen him to be one of 13 new cardinals.
Malaysia’s first cardinal dies at age 88
Malaysia’s first cardinal died Wednesday at the age of 88.
Indian Jesuit remains in jail, despite call for release from Asian bishops and int’l groups
A Jesuit priest arrested in India on charges of sedition will remain in jail for at least another two weeks, after the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences has called for his release, along with other international organizations.
Vatican and China renew provisional agreement on appointment of bishops
The Vatican and China have renewed a provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops for two more years, the Holy See announced Thursday.
South Korea proposes new law allowing abortion up to 14 weeks
South Korea’s National Assembly is considering a proposal to allow abortion up to 14 weeks as the deadline approaches to revise the country’s abortion law.
Sri Lankan cardinal: It is ‘sad and unfortunate’ that Easter bombing suspects are released
A year and a half after church and hotel bombings killed 259 people and injured another 500 in Sri Lanka, five of seven suspects arrested in connection with the attacks have been released by the country’s government.
This church is now the first minor basilica in Central Asia
The Vatican has named a church in Kazakhstan as the first minor basilica in Central Asia.
Korean bishops back anti-discrimination law, with caveats
A South Korean bill banning discrimination across 26 different categories has hesitant support from the Catholic bishops of the country,