Asia

• 10 December 2009
  ASIA/VIETNAM - A path marked by steps forward, standstills, and hopes Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – Relations between the Holy See and Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a journey that has undergone painful stages, difficult times, signs of openness, and new hopes. The visit to the Vati ...
• 9 December 2009
  ASIA/CHINA - One month after Cardinal Bertone's Letter, Chinese Bishops and priests offer their reflections; the letter “re-emphasizes the principle and direction of dialogue and reconciliation according to current circumstances and the evolution of Sino-Vatican relations.” Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The publication of the Letter from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone to Chinese priests on the occasion of the Year for Priests (see Fides 16/11/2009), which is dated Novemb ...
• 9 December 2009
  ASIA/PHILIPPINES - Martial law established in Maguindanao and distribution of arms; Church raises voice Manila (Agenzia Fides) – The use of "martial law" must be an extreme measure and of short duration: the purpose is to combat impunity and restore the rule of law. A serious problem to tackle is the circulation and prol ...
• 7 December 2009
  ASIA/CHINA - Over 3,000 faithful of the Diocese of Han Dan celebrate ordination of three new priests on feast of Saint Francis Xavier Han Dan (Agenzia Fides) – On the great feast of Patron of the Missions, St. Francis Xavier, over 3,000 faithful from the Diocese of Han Dan, in the He Bei Province on mainland China, celebrated the ordination of three ...
• 5 December 2009
  ASIA/HONG KONG - Faithful of the Cathedral of Hong Kong, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, contribute to new church in Guang Dong under the same patronage Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - The faithful of the Cathedral in Hong Kong dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, are celebrating the 120th anniversary of foundation of the Cathedral with an "Action of Charity", i.e ...
• 5 December 2009
  ASIA/SRI LANKA - Tamil refugees freed, while risk of field mines remains Colombo (Agenzia Fides) – The international community has shown its widespread approval of the Colombo government's decision to allow freedom of movement of at least 136,000 Tamil refugees, victims of the civil conflic ...
• 4 December 2009
  ASIA/CHINA - Bishop Peter Chen Bolu dies at 97: Diocese of Yongnian/Handan doubled in Catholics, thanks to his zealous labor Yongnian/Handan (Agenzia Fides) – This past November 5, the Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Yongnian/Handan, Hebei (China Mainland), Bishop Peter Chen Bolu, passed away. He was 97 years old. The Bishop was born June ...
• 4 December 2009
  ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Chinese religious leaders visit Catholic community Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – A delegation of religious leaders from mainland China, Chinese members of the Commission "Religions and Peace," in recent days paid a visit to the Korean Catholic community, stopping to visit th ...
• 3 December 2009
  ASIA/HONG KONG - Salesians in Hong Kong celebrate 150th anniversary reflecting on preventative education and renewing their commitment to the youth, especially the disadvantaged Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Reconfirm the validity of the Salesian charism and apostolic zeal applying the recommendations of the Inspector General “to mobilize the cooperation of the entire great Salesian family to ...
• 3 December 2009
  ASIA/INDIA - Cardinal Telesphore Toppo tells Fides: “Francis Xavier is a model for evangelization in India today.” Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – "Francis Xavier is a model for evangelization in India today. The faithful love him and venerate him as a patron. His commitment and his missionary zeal are an example to us, also in the ...
• 3 December 2009
  ASIA/THAILAND - “It's always difficult to meet someone severely suffering that we have never seen before." The importance of missionary training, from a PIME missionary Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - A three-week meeting of missionary training being held for 12 seminarians of Thailand's Major Seminary in the Bangkok area has recently ended. Father Adrian Pelosin, a PIME missionary who has be ...
• 2 December 2009
  ASIA/CHINA - Chinese Catholic pilgrims to the island of Shang Chuan show their great devotion to Saint Francis Xavier, Patron of the Missions Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – The small island of Shang Chuan, in the Province of Guang Dong, on the coast of southern China, where St. Francis Xavier died on December 3, 1552, is a favorite destination for pilgrimage amon ...
• 2 December 2009
  ASIA/INDIA - Christians accused of “illegal conversions” for political motives Bangalore (Agenzia Fides) – Accusing Christians in India of carrying out a campaign of illegal or fraudulent conversions is a tactic being used by Hindu fundamentalist movements for mere political reasons, says an ecum ...
• 2 December 2009
  ASIA/INDIA - Every month in Talavadi: "Festival of Life" - a day of games, prayer, and sharing for disabled children sponsored by Opera Don Guanella Talavadi (Agenzia Fides) – Among the traditional events in India is the "Festival of Life" promoted by “Guanelliani” (Servants of Charity, Opera Don Guanella), which is held in Talavadi, Diocese of Ooty, in the nor ...
• 1 December 2009
  ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Christians and Buddhists sign a joint declaration for the abolition of the death penalty: “We universally support the complete elimination of such extreme punishment that does not consider the sacredness of life.” Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - "Every life that has come into existence on this earth is sacred. The death penalty is for us 'murder' in the name of law and institution that artificially deprives a human being of his irreplacea ...