Democracy Archives

Cardinal urges hope as Myanmar undergoes own ‘way of the cross’

Apr 2, 2021

In his Easter message, Myanmar Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon drew a parallel between Jesus’s own suffering and death and his country’s fight for democracy.

By Elise Ann Allen

Myanmar cardinal urges nonviolence as coup death count climbs

Mar 25, 2021

Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, in Myanmar, has asked that as tensions national rise and the death count grows amid the country’s military coup, protesters reaffirm their commitment to non-violence.

By Elise Ann Allen

Catholic nun gives Myanmar own Tiananmen moment

Mar 2, 2021

On Sunday, Myanmar had its own “Tiananmen moment” when a Catholic nun stopped military forces from advancing on protesters amid the country’s ongoing military coup.

By Elise Ann Allen

New archbishop says Vatican courtship of China doesn’t imperil Taiwan

Jul 20, 2020

In comments to media over the weekend, Taipei’s new Archbishop Thomas Chung An-zu said he is confident that the Vatican’s apparent courtship of China will not have an impact on Taiwan’s relationship with the Holy See.

By Elise Ann Allen

Hong Kong church leaders divided on protests

May 27, 2020

One of the Catholic Church’s leading experts in Chinese affairs has said church authorities in Hong Kong are divided about pro-democracy protests over a new national security measure that China is attempting to pass in the territory, and there is also a degree of disappointment over the Vatican’s silence on the issue.

By Elise Ann Allen

In Hong Kong, going back to Mass could be calm before the storm

May 25, 2020

On Friday Cardinal John Tong Hon, administrator of the Hong Kong, announced that the city will return to public Masses in June – at the same time China is expected to pass a new national security law that has pro-democracy activists already taking to the streets.

By Elise Ann Allen

Zen awarded US pro-democracy prize as Vatican steps closer to China

Feb 15, 2020

Several days after Chinese Cardinal Joseph Zen, an outspoken critic of the Vatican’s approach to China, received a prize from the U.S. government for defending democracy in communist China, the Vatican’s foreign minister had an historic meeting with his Chinese counterpart.

By Elise Ann Allen

Hong Kong conspicuous by absence from list of Pope’s Christmas concerns

Dec 26, 2019

When Pope Francis ticked off all the countries suffering political and violent unrest during his traditional Christmas blessing and prayed for peace in these nations, one city, Hong Kong, which is currently in the thick of months of heated protests, was notably absent from this list.

By Elise Harris