CNA Daily News - Asia - Pacific

Archbishop calls for overturning territory's recognition of same-sex unions

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:15:00 -0500

Canberra, Australia, Nov 18, 2009 / 06:15 am (CNA).- Calling on Australian Prime Minster Kevin Rudd to overturn the Australian Capital Territory Government's new laws recognizing same-sex civil unions, Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn Mark Coleridge has charged that the unions "mimic" marriage and will undermine its importance.

Catholic bishops of India propose National Day for Indian Martyrs

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:47:00 -0500

New Dehli, India, Nov 17, 2009 / 02:47 am (CNA).- The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has proposed to make the last Sunday of August a National Day for Indian Martyrs to commemorate the Christians who died in the August 2008 massacres in Orissa.

Breast cancer-abortion link highlighted by Chinese study

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:31:00 -0500

Shenyang, China, Nov 13, 2009 / 07:31 am (CNA).- Chinese researchers claim to have found a 17 percent increased breast cancer risk among women who have had induced abortions.

Irish missionary priest freed after month of captivity

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:56:00 -0500

Manila, Philippines, Nov 12, 2009 / 12:56 pm (CNA).- After being held hostage for just over a month, Irish missionary priest Fr. Michael Sinnott was freed on Nov 12. Despite a serious preexisting heart condition, Fr. Sinnott was reported to be in good health.

Novenas to Our Lady of Remedies seek safe return of kidnapped missionary

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:56:00 -0500

Manila, Philippines, Nov 10, 2009 / 03:56 am (CNA).- The Columban community in Manila has begun novena Masses to Our Lady of Remedies to pray for the immediate release of kidnapped Irish priest Fr. Michael Sinnott.

Dominican Order in Vietnam flourishes

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:03:00 -0500

Saigon, Vietnam, Nov 10, 2009 / 01:03 am (CNA).- In a celebratory event in Saigon on Saturday, Fr. Joseph Ngo Si Dinh announced to thunderous applause that the "number of friars, nuns, sisters, and lay Dominicans in our family in Vietnam has increased substantially and already reached to the population of a diocese!"

Vietnamese preparations for Holy Jubilee celebrations are well underway

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:11:00 -0500

Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov 6, 2009 / 04:11 am (CNA).- The Archbishop of Hanoi has said that preparations for Vietnam's Jubilee celebrations are "well underway." Despite "enormous obstacles," the Catholics of the country will celebrate the 350th anniversary of the first apostolic vicariates of the country and the 50th anniversary of the elevation of the country's three archdioceses.

Vietnamese bishop condemns government take over of monastery

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:19:00 -0500

Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov 3, 2009 / 04:19 am (CNA).- A Vietnamese bishop has strongly condemned the initiation of a "sorrowful" project to convert a monastery in the Diocese of Vinh Long into a public square.

Indian state releases postage stamp honoring founder of Little Sisters of the Poor

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 02:05:00 -0500

Bangalore, India, Oct 31, 2009 / 02:05 am (CNA).- On Thursday the governor of India's state of Karnataka released a postage stamp honoring St. Jeanne Jugan, the founder of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Cardinal Pell sees anti-Christian motives in government bid to take over hospital

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:25:00 -0500

Canberra, Australia, Oct 30, 2009 / 10:25 pm (CNA).- The Australian Capital Territory Government's bid to buy Calvary Public Hospital in Canberra could endanger other public hospitals run by religious organizations, Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell has said. He has also asserted that anti-Christian motives may be driving the proposal.