CNA Daily News - Asia - Pacific

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.

Bishop fears for health of kidnapped priest in the Philippines

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:04:00 -0500

Rome, Italy, Oct 22, 2009 / 08:04 pm (CNA).- Bishop Emmanuel Treveno Cabajar of Pagadian in the Philippines is urging that direct contact be made with the kidnappers of the elderly Irish missionary priest Father Michael Sinnott, as "he urgently needs his medication."

Traditional Anglican group 'profoundly moved' by Pope's new provision for converts

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:57:00 -0500

Blackwood, Australia, Oct 22, 2009 / 02:57 am (CNA).- The Primate of the Traditional Anglican Communion has responded to the Vatican's announcement of a new provision for Anglicans who wish to convert to Catholicism, saying his church is "profoundly moved" by Pope Benedict's generosity. He added that the provision will now be taken to the national synods of his Communion.

Mother Teresa's remains will not be returned to Albania, Indian government says

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:37:00 -0500

Calcutta, India, Oct 21, 2009 / 01:37 am (CNA).- The government of India has told the Albanian government that it will not allow the remains of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta to be returned to the land of her birth. Church officials insisted that any decision would ultimately rest with the Missionaries of Charity, who dismissed reports of the move as speculation.

Efforts continue to free missionary kidnapped in the Philippines

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:02:00 -0500

Rome, Italy, Oct 20, 2009 / 12:02 pm (CNA).- The Vicar General of the Diocese of Pagadian in the Philippines, Father Gilbert Hingone, reported this week that although there has not been any direct contact with the kidnappers of Father Michael Sinnot, he is hopeful for his release thanks to the work being done by the civil-military committee to free the missionary.

Protecting rights of children will bear fruit in a culture of peace, Holy Father says

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:29:00 -0500

Rome, Italy, Oct 19, 2009 / 02:29 pm (CNA).- In a brief greeting to the participants of the SIGNIS World Congress, which began on October 17 in Thailand, Pope Benedict XVI encouraged efforts by those working in communications to promote the rights of children and to make them a priority in their daily work, so that they might bear fruit in a culture of peace.

Catholics and Muslims defend life against abortion law in Indonesia

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:07:00 -0500

Rome, Italy, Oct 16, 2009 / 04:07 pm (CNA).- Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, Buddhists and Hindus have joined together to protest the liberalizing of Indonesia's abortion laws. Although the bill has been approved by the country's Parliament, it still needs to be signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.