Asia Archives

No handshakes: Viral outbreak spooks Asian places of worship

Feb 17, 2020

In a popular Catholic church in the Philippines, nearly half of the pews were empty for Sunday Mass. The few hundred worshippers who showed up were asked to refrain from shaking others’ hands or holding them during prayers to prevent the spread of the virus that started in China.

By Jim Gomez

No handshakes: Viral outbreak spooks Asian places of worship

Feb 16, 2020

By Jim Gomez

On pope’s Asia swing, doctrinal tension is the dog that’s not barking

Nov 20, 2019

As Pope Francis opens his third trip to Asia today, visiting Thailand and Japan, there’s a pretty big doctrinal dog that hasn’t uttered a peep – debates over the theology of religious pluralism.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Amid protests and holidays, summer proves to be a busy season for Asia

Aug 16, 2019

While many places around the world tend to slow down during the hot summer months, in Asia things seem to be heating up in a different sense, as several major stories continue to unfold.

By Elise Harris

Myanmar cardinal says West’s conflicts with Islam punish Christians in Asia, Africa

May 31, 2019

Innocent Christians are sacrificed because of five decades of geo-strategic conflicts between the Islamic countries and the West, according to the president of Asia’s main Catholic bishops’ organization.

By Nirmala Carvalho

Annual Marian pilgrimage keeps in mind tragedy in Sri Lanka

May 7, 2019

The Vatican envoy to the U.S. recalled the persecution of Asian Catholics, making special mention of victims of the recent bombings Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka, during the annual pilgrimage of Asian and Pacific Island Catholics to the country’s largest Marian shrine on May 4.

By Rhina Guidos