Asia News

The new auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mumbai speaks to AsiaNews: "My appointment by Pope Francis a joy and an honor. I will try to be an instrument of the divine ministry with ever greater strength”. Growing religious intolerance in India "witnessing to the values of the Gospel is not only a right but a necessity."

Vice Premier Wang Yang makes statement during a government meeting to prepare a new law on tourism. Over 80 million Chinese visited a foreign country in 2012: "They scream, spit and draw graffiti. We need to educate them to respect religions, and the customs of the places that host them".

The protest was held yesterday in front of provincial government building. The protesters took to the streets for hours braving a massive police cordon. To avoid clashes, the mayor opens a mediation with civil society. On May 4, thousands of people protested against the refinery project which is highly polluting.

In late May in New York Yudhoyono will receive the World Statesman Award from the Appeal of Conscience Foundation (ACF). The recognition for the protection of minority rights and freedom of worship. Indonesian Jesuit: he has never done anything to protect the rights in a country at risk of Islamization.

In this morning's Mass, Francis spoke about Saint Paul's apostolic zeal. "Paul is a nuisance. He is a man who, with his preaching, his work, his attitude irritates others, because he bears witness to Jesus Christ". We can ask the Holy Spirit "to give us all this apostolic fervour to be nuisance in the Church's comfort zones and the grace to reach the outer edges of existence."

A 21-year-old Catholic woman, Nguyen Phuong Uyen, gets six years in prison. Nguyen Dinh Kha, 25, gets eight years for "terrorism". The two handed out leaflets against Chinese "imperialism" in the South China Sea. The young woman is abused during pre-trial detention.

Pope Francis appointed the priest along with Mgr John Rodrigues, as auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Bombay. He will "defend life and the equality of man and woman," as well as stress the importance of rediscovering the holiness of everyday life.

As government persecution continues, six more people are arrested in Bahrain for offensive twitting against the country's customs and institutions. Meanwhile in Saudi Arabia, the religious police warns locals that anyone using social media "has lost this world and his afterlife."

The Ecumenical Patriarch is in Milan to celebrate 1,700 years since the Edict of Constantine, when "for the first time, religious freedom was enshrined into law." Today however, in many places, Christians are seen as enemies of society and the state. Equally, the Christian faith is not tolerated in many countries.

The text is passed with 107 votes in favor. Increasing abstentions. Russia and China slam resolution. For Moscow it does not help attempts at reconciliation between rebels and regime. Approved economic aid to Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to handle the refugee emergency.

Addressing a group of ambassadors, Francis criticizes the role that economics and finance have on people and society today, reducing humanity to being consumers and consumer goods. The rejection of God and ethics "considered counterproductive as too human, because it relativizes money and power, as a threat, because it rejects the manipulation and submission of the person."

So says the central government, who approved the project to meet the "thirst" for energy in the country. The infrastructure will be 314 meters high and will be built on the Dadu River in Sichuan. Authorities: "We know that it will affect local flora and fauna, we will take counter-measures."

AsiaNews speaks to Benedict Rogers, East Asia team leader for Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The situation of the Muslim minority is "tragic and potentially devastating." Some internal elements maneuver to hinder democratization. The Catholic Church has a "key role" as a 'force for peace. "

A Swiss organization detects the presence of 450 thousand small arms on Nepalese territory. According to analysts, most of these used by Hindu fundamentalists to intimidate Christians and other religious minorities. Fears for inter-religious peace.

The incident occurred this morning in Kampong Speu province, the south of the country. At the time of the collapse there were at least a hundred workers inside the building, rescuers still searching for survivors in the rubble. The excessive weight of the stored material resulted in the collapse.

Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, celebrates the divine liturgy at the end of his "historic" visit to China.

The intellectual died in Mumbai at the age of 74 after a long illness. A Muslim who was a friend of AsiaNews, he carried out a relentless fight "against all forms of religious bigotry."

The incident took place on 4 May during Holy Saturday celebrations in Jerusalem. The Patriarchate and local Christians complain of police brutality. For Jerusalem bishop, "denying access to the Holy Sepulchre and mistreating pilgrims, including the elderly and disabled, have nothing to do with security."

Clergyman is behind an initiative that proves successful among members of different religious groups. A pastoral council brought together Catholics and Muslims to ensure poll transparency.

The bishop writes to the Buddhist community on the Buddha's birthday. "In the midst of conflict and division, people of faith are called to give a sign of peace and sharing." Love and mercy should be "rooted in our whole society."