Church in Asia

The Pontifical Mission Society (PMS) in the Diocese of Rajshahi in Bangladesh celebrated Holy Childhood Day for the children at Good Shepherd Cathedral Church on January 30.

The missionary Congregation of Xaverian Sisters in Pathein Diocese located in Ayeyarwaddy Region in Myanmar celebrated the Golden Jubilee of their Novitiate House on January 31.

St. Fransiscus Assisi parish, Tentang, in collaboration with the local government of the Ndoso sub-district, West Manggarai Regency, Indonesia, launched the Golong Geleng Nature Tourism Park on January 28.

Pakistani Sister Mishal Mary Khokhar, a member of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Castres, makes her first profession of vows at the Holy Family Church, Cubao, the Philippines, on February 2, 2022 (Photo: Santosh Digal, RVA News).

Myanmar's Catholic leaders expressed solidarity with the suffering people due to the military coup, as the country recalls the takeover on February 1, 2021.

Myanmar's Myitkyina Diocese elected a new diocesan youth leader amidst the political crises. Myanmar has been under military rule since February 1, 2021, as young people moved into the forest, identifying themselves with People Defense Force (PDF) to oppose the ruling military junta.

A nun died in a vehicular accident in Andhra, a southern state of India on January 30. She was 53.

Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Arnaldo Sanchez Catalan as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Rwanda.

A forty-one-year-old Dominican priest was killed while listening to confession in the diocese of Kon Tum on January 29.

A group of 60 Chinese Christian refugees in South Korea are liable to face extradition after courts rejected their asylum applications.

A retired Catholic priest from Yangon archdiocese says the Marian devotion is necessary to re-animate faith amid the pandemic and political crisis.

Myanmar Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay offered mass with Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on January 30. The prelate urged them not to lose hope and be cautious of viral news on social media.

Metropolitan Archbishop of Patna, Sebastian Kallupura, in a letter to all Church dignitaries in Bihar and neighbouring states, has officially cancelled the annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Divine Grace, Mokama, citing the covid-19 restrictions imposed by the Bihar government. The event was slated for February 6.

The death of a poet, philosopher and priest is mourned in south India.
Father A. Pitchaimuthu died on January 30 at Viruthachalam, Tamil Nadu, south India. He was 82.

The Christian community in India will observe Martyrs Day–the anniversary of the assassination of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi—with nationwide fasting and prayers for the unity and progress of the country

Seoul Archdiocese in South Korea on January 28 ordained 23 new priests including three from missionary orders at Myeongdong Cathedral in the capital Seoul.

Tushar Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, whom India reveres as 'The Father of the Nation,' has sent out an appeal to citizens as well as Christian clergy in India to sing the hymn "Abide with Me" as part of Church services on Sunday, January 30. Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1948.

An American Maryknoll missionary in the Philippines for the last 52 years is set to return to his home country on January 29. Father James H. Kroeger is the last Maryknoll missionary working in the Philippines to leave the southeast country.

At least three priests have died of Covid-19 in recent days in India.

Christian leaders met government officials to discuss issues and look forward to plausible solutions in the Indian state of Telangana on January 25.