Voices from Asia with a Catholic perspective

This Gospel today recounts the evangelist’s way of accommodating in Matthew’s Gospel the reach of Jesus’ message: completely beyond the boundaries of Israel but still taking up its foundation in the way God has been revealed to Israel. It is an event recalled everyday in every Mass we celebrate by stating just how graciously blessed we to be welcoming Jesus as Communion and then to look forward to to the healing union with Jesus that lasts forever.

When we say Christ is King, we say we belong to him and to no others. We cannot, then, be used or abused, since that is an attack upon his subjects and his sovereignty.

Timor-Leste paid tribute to independence heroes on the 30th anniversary of the Santa Cruz massacre. In other parts of Asia, there were stories of triumphs and struggles against oppression and injustice.

Poland’s bishops were recently in Rome for their ad limina visit that bishops make every five years. While there they complained about the rigor with which the Vatican now deals with bishops who have been derelict in their duty by failing to respond properly and promptly to sexual abuse by clergy. They are learning how the real world responds to dereliction.

With 132 million people aged between 15-33, Pakistan is the fifth largest young country in the world. The Muslim-majority nation also has the second-largest youth population in South Asia after India. However, young people from religious minorities, such as Christians and Hindus, face social discrimination. They have fewer opportunities for education, jobs, and to develop their talents. Organizations like Youth Development Foundation or YDF attempt to bridge this gap through collaborative programs. Shahid Rehmat, YDF, Executive Director in conversation with Kamran Chaudhary.