The Catholic Register

Church leaders across Asia voice alarm over decline in press freedom

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Fri, 03 May 2019 16:53:12 -0400

MANILA, Philippines - Church leaders across Asia have expressed alarm over threats to press freedom amid reports of increasing attacks and intimidation of journalists, resulting in growing levels of self-censorship.

Vatican-China agreement motivated by mission, Cardinal Parolin says

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Mon, 18 Mar 2019 09:14:31 -0400

VATICAN – The Vatican's tentative agreement with the government of mainland China obviously has a diplomatic component, but it was motivated by a desire to spread the Gospel and ensure the appropriate freedom of the Catholic Church, the Vatican secretary of state wrote.

Church leaders treat them as outcasts after going public, nuns in Indian rape case say

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 15:54:11 -0500

COCHIN, India – As the Vatican grapples to devise stronger protocols and responses following a historic summit focused on clergy sex abuse of minors, five nuns in India complain of church repression for their support of a former superior general who was allegedly raped by a bishop.

'War is not an option': Pakistani Catholic groups join protest against military escalation

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 11:01:13 -0500

LAHORE, Pakistan – Catholic groups joined a protest against a military escalation in Pakistan and India following the recent suicide bombing in Indian-administered Kashmir, reported ucanews.com.

Only a matter of time: Abuse allegations from Asia make some worry that more to follow

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 14:56:55 -0500

BANGKOK – Recent credible sexual abuse allegations in India and East Timor have underscored the fears of many in the church that clerical sex abuse is rife in South, Southeast and North Asia, which have a collective population of at least 120 million Catholics.

Myanmar cardinal says China-funded dam project must be stopped

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:36:37 -0500

YANGON, Myanmar – A controversial China-funded dam project in Myanmar must be stopped, said Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Yangon, noting that the affected river is the country's most sacred symbol.

Philippine bishops break silence on 'disturbing issues', 'culture of violence'

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 11:22:13 -0500

MANILA, Philippines – Catholic bishops in the Philippines broke what they described as their "collective silence" over "many disturbing issues" that have confronted the country in recent months.

Philippine president open to talks, despite comments against bishops, spokesman says

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 09:56:45 -0500

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is open to talking with church leaders, his spokesman said after the president called on people to kill and rob bishops.

Indonesian archbishop urges Catholics to ditch plastic bags

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:45:18 -0500

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Months after Indonesia's military was summoned to unclog Jakarta Bay, Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo has joined a chorus of disapproval of the nation's growing plastic waste problem by calling parishioners to action.

Police, Muslim youth help guard churches at Christmas in Indonesia

cns@catholicregister.org (Catholic News Service) — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:17:17 -0500

JAKARTA, Indonesia – More than 90,000 police and soldiers and a moderate Muslim youth group will help guard nearly 50,000 churches across Indonesia, including some previously attacked by terrorists, during the Christmas period.