Church in Asia Archives

Maryknoll Father Robert Astorino, founder of UCA News, dies at age 77

Jun 27, 2020

Maryknoll Father Robert Astorino, founder of the Asian Catholic news agency UCA News and executive director of the agency for 30 years, died June 25 at Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York. He was 77 and a priest for 50 years.

By Catholic News Service

Father Adolfo Nicolas, former Jesuit superior, dies in Tokyo

May 20, 2020

The Jesuit General Curia in Rome announced that its former superior general, Father Adolfo Nicolas, died May 20 in Tokyo. He was 84.

By Catholic News Service

Asian cardinals give support to May 14 World Day of Prayer for Humanity

May 12, 2020

Catholic clergy in Bangladesh will mark the World Day of Prayer for Humanity with an online retreat on May 14, answering Pope Francis’s call for all religious leaders to pray during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

By Nirmala Carvalho

India exemplifies problems facing Southeast Asia as COVID-19 spreads

Mar 25, 2020

India and other Asian countries are preparing for the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

By Michael Sainsbury

Catholic leaders in Indonesia plan for possible papal trip in September

Mar 6, 2020

Details are beginning to emerge of a potential trip by Pope Francis to Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea in September.

By Michael Sainsbury

Vatican-China deal conceived under JPII, expert says

Mar 4, 2020

After two top prelates recently butted heads over the legitimacy of the Vatican’s 2018 agreement with China on the appointment of bishops, one expert on Chinese affairs stepped in insisting that the deal was not only good, but a product of more than 30 years of Vatican diplomacy.

By Elise Ann Allen

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