Vietnam-Vatican working group hold first meeting
'The two sides had a broad and thorough exchange of views on Vietnam-Holy See relations,' a Vatican communique said
Guangzhou is the capital of Guangdong province, 1,910 kilometers south of Beijing. Guangzhou diocese covers the cities of Guangzhou, Heyuan, Huizhou,Qingyuan, Shanwei and Shaozhou. The church in Guangdong was separated from Macao diocese becoming the Guangdong Apostolic Prefecture in 1858 which was...
The Apostolic Prefecture of Shiqian (Shihtsien) is a Latin pre-diocesan missionary jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in PR China.
It is exempt, i.e. directly subject to the Holy See and its Roman Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, not part of...
Recent Events
Nagasaki cathedral, a testimony of persecution and atomic bombing
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Urakami of Nagasaki is a witness of persecution of Christians from 17th to 19th centuries and deadly atomic bombing during the Second World War. This European-style, red-brick church continues to preserve some relics that survived the atomic bombing. Urakami cathedral, also known as St. Mary’s Cathedral, was almost destroyed when the atomic bomb was dropped on Aug. 9, 1945. The church stood about 500 meters from the hypocenter of atomic explosion. The devastation shattered and charred stone-made statues of saints, which were later preserved as relics along with the surviving head of Virgin Mary statue and one of the church’s original bells.
Vietnam’s Tac Say Cathedral lives the memory of martyred priest
Vietnam’s Tac Say Cathedral is a telltale example of how Catholicism thrived in many parts of Asia through valiance and martyrdom of early Catholics. The church, also known as Father Diep Church, lives the memory of Father Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep who served the parish church for 16 years and died a martyr’s death while defending local Catholics in 1946 from persecution of Japanese soldiers.
India’s Santa Cruz Cathedral, a repository of Portuguese heritage
Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica at Fort Kochi is one of the finest churches and a historic but also a landmark in Kerala state of southern India. Santa Cruz Church blends Indo-European and Gothic architectural style that draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year. The cathedral is a great place of devotion and historic significance that survived colonial conquests and invasions to the city.
Pakistani Church preserves the relic of miraculous Portuguese saint
Asian Catholics who cannot visit Padua in Italy to honor the miraculous Portuguese Saint Anthony can visit St. Anthony’s Church in Karachi to pay tribute to him. The church has preserved a relic of the Wonder Worker since it was established in 1937.
St. Gonsalo Garcia: First Indian missionary martyred in Japan
Gonsalo's martyrdom at Nagasaki with the other Christian missionaries is regarded as the most tragic and historic event for Catholicism in Japan
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St. Pedro Calungsod, Filipino lay martyr and patron of catechists
Calungsod and his companion Father Vitores baptized infants, children and adults, defying the risk of persecution and murder
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St. Lorenzo Ruiz, Filipino layman who became a martyr in Japan
Despite being an ordinary layman, Ruiz remained defiant while facing torture by the Japanese and died a brave martyr
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Pope urges faithful to visit Rome's ancient catacombs
The pope also applauded a decision to expand the number of catacomb sites that are accessible to visitors
Experts hail new Vatican norms on 'supernatural phenomena'
The norms candidly acknowledge they could be used in service of 'a sectarian spirit that seeks division in the church'
First trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via US-built pier
In the coming days, around 500 tonnes of aid is expected to be brought to Gaza amid UN warnings of looming famine
Iran arrests over 260 in raid on 'satanist network'
Three European citizens were among those arrested during the police operation in Shahryar city, west of Tehran
Indonesian bishops to champion social issues
At a special session, Indonesian Bishops’ Conference discusses the papal visit and the plans to mark the 100th anniversary
'AI vs AI’: No conflict is worth human annihilation
The world cannot be left at the mercy of American and Chinese robotic generals
Indian PM claims he pursued Netanyahu to stop bombing during Ramadan
Narendra Modi also recalled the incident of his flying to Palestine through Jordan, escorted by Israeli flight attendants
