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.
ASIA
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,
Hong Kong cardinal warns priests to ‘watch your language’ in homilies
The leader of the Diocese of Hong Kong has instructed priests to avoid politics in homilies and admonishing them for “offensive” and “provocative” preaching.
Knights of Columbus donating $250,000 after Beirut explosion
The Knights of Columbus is donating $250,000 to aid relief efforts following a massive explosion in Beirut earlier this month.
Korean cardinal to consecrate Pyongyang diocese to Mary on Assumption
The Archbishop of Seoul, Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, has announced that he will consecrate the Diocese of Pyongyang to Our Lady of Fatima on the Solemnity of the Assumption.
Cardinals condemn China’s ‘potential genocide’ of Uyghurs
The Chinese government’s treatment of Uyghurs is “one of the most egregious human tragedies since the Holocaust,” two Asian cardinals and 74 other religious leaders wrote in a statement released August 8.
Lebanese cardinal: ‘The Church has a great duty’ after Beirut explosion
After at least one explosion occurred at the ports of Beirut on Tuesday, a Maronite Catholic cardinal has said the local Church needs support to help the people of Lebanon recover from this disaster.
China accused of hacking Vatican ahead of negotiations
State-sponsored hackers have reportedly targeted Vatican computer networks in an attempt to give China an advantage in negotiations to renew a provisional deal with the Holy See.
China turns surveillance state on religious gatherings
China is using advanced technology to monitor both public and private religious gatherings, witnesses told a federal hearing on Wednesday.