India’s Supreme Court has ruled that all citizens have the right to bury their dead in public cemeteries, ending illegal exhumations in a region of central India. The decision addresses incidents where Christian bodies were forcibly removed from communal graves by opponents of Christianity. A United Christian Forum welcomed the ruling as a step for minority rights. A church leader urged the state government to implement the decision to prevent further suffering. The court emphasized that obstructing burials carries criminal consequences and that shared grounds cannot be restricted to specific groups. This follows a recent injunction halting such exhumations after complaints of discrimination and police inaction.
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Catholics in Hong Kong celebrated 130 years of missionary presence at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Pok Fu Lam. Cardinal Stephen Chow rang a 1909 bronze bell to mark the anniversary, linking the current community to its historical roots. A Marian procession retraced the path of the Paris Foreign Missions Society, which began work in the area in 1896. Participants visited sites including a preserved clinic and former seminaries. The event highlighted the enduring Catholic identity of the district, shaped by early education and healthcare initiatives. The parish plans to make the procession a regular annual feature to honor this legacy.
A province in Pakistan has enacted new legislation raising the minimum marriage age to 18 for all genders. The governor issued this measure to strengthen penalties against forced child marriages, which disproportionately affect Christian and Hindu girls. Violations are classified as non-bailable offenses punishable by up to seven years in prison. Advocates hope this reform reduces abductions and forced conversions, addressing a loophole where minors were moved to this region to bypass stricter laws in neighboring areas. UN Women Pakistan welcomed the step but emphasized that strict enforcement and community engagement are essential for lasting change.
Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, Malaysia, has called for interfaith unity and charitable action as Lunar New Year, Lent, and Ramadan converge in early 2026. The archbishop described the rare calendar overlap as an opportunity to strengthen social bonds and support vulnerable communities. He highlighted that Chinese New Year traditions, Christian Lenten practices, and Muslim zakat all emphasize giving to those in need. Poh invited citizens across different faiths to collaborate on charitable works, aiming to make Kuching and Sarawak better places through shared generosity and reconciliation during this significant period.
Jesuit leaders across Asia are calling for prayer and solidarity with Myanmar as Christians begin the Lenten season. During an assembly in a city in Vietnam, a Jesuit superior highlighted the five-year anniversary of the military coup that plunged Myanmar into conflict and humanitarian crisis. The gathering emphasized that Lenten practices should include concrete acts of charity and advocacy for peace. Leaders stated that supporting displaced families and standing for justice are essential expressions of faith during this period of reflection and preparation for Easter.
The Catholic Diocese of Thai Binh in northern Vietnam is constructing a permanent residence for leprosy patients following the closure of a state-run facility last year. On February 21, Bishop Dominic Dang Van Cau presided over a thanksgiving Mass at Dong Tho Sub-parish Church in Hung Yen province. According to Caritas Thai Binh, the initiative provides stable shelter for those displaced when the Van Mon camp dissolved in June 2025. The bishop urged the faithful to view patients as integral members of the Church, emphasizing concrete acts of solidarity during the diocese's Jubilee Year. This effort ensures sustained care and a safe environment for the affected community.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Hussain Ali on UnsplashGood news
A senior church leader in Pakistan has urged Christians and Muslims to foster peace during the rare simultaneous observance of Lent and Ramadan in 2026. According to Vatican’s Fides News Agency, the archbishop described this convergence as a divine invitation for shared spiritual growth. He encouraged churches and mosques to serve as centers of compassion and solidarity. The leader highlighted that both faiths emphasize fasting, prayer, and charity, viewing these practices as bridges for unity rather than division. The statement aims to strengthen interreligious harmony in Pakistan, where Muslims are the majority and Christians a minority, by promoting mutual respect and service to the vulnerable.
Bishop Vincentius Setiawan Triatmojo of Tanjung Karang joined approximately 80 volunteers to plant 2,000 mangrove seedlings in Pesawaran district, South Lampung, Indonesia, on Valentine’s Day. The event, part of the diocese’s Ninth Pastoral Fundamental Guidance, included students, local activists, and members of the moderate Muslim GusDurian community. Sr. Vincentia HK, who initiated the movement, stated the bishop wanted to demonstrate practical care for the environment rather than just speaking about it. The initiative aims to reach 5,000 trees by July 2026 to help prevent coastal erosion and support marine life.
Siayan, a municipality in the Philippines' Zamboanga del Norte province, has launched a community-based poverty mapping initiative. Friends of Saint Mary MacKillop, Inc. (FSMMI) began Phase 1 of its Zero Poverty PH 2030 program in collaboration with local government officials, Indigenous leaders, and St. Isidore the Farmer Parish. The Social Understanding for Responsive Interventions (SURI) project will run from February to March 2026 across 10 barangays. Organizers state the goal is to gather detailed community data to guide sustainable programs. The initiative aims to improve incomes and expand access to social services for 100,000 Filipino families by 2030. Local officials and tribal leaders expressed support for the cross-sector collaboration. (LiCAS News)
A senior church leader in Myanmar stated that hope in the country is currently suffering but remains alive despite ongoing conflict, poverty, and perceived international neglect. He described a national mood marked by anxiety, fear of violence, and uncertainty, particularly among youth facing displacement and forced recruitment. However, the cardinal emphasized that despair has not taken over. He identified resilience in poor communities, continued prayer, and the Church’s commitment to reconciliation as sources of enduring hope. He affirmed that the Holy See remains concerned and urged citizens to maintain hope as a moral duty against violence.
Residents in a Thai border town heard aerial bombardments from Myanmar on Ash Wednesday, disrupting Lenten observances. A local priest stated the blasts, mistaken for fireworks, highlighted the fragile peace along the border. The violence has forced civilians to flee, with some seeking safety in Thailand. Catholic agencies are providing humanitarian aid to displaced communities in refugee camps. The priest urged Christians to reflect on the need for peace and solidarity with those affected by the ongoing conflict that began after the 2021 military coup.
Caritas Philippines launched its 2026 Alay Kapwa Lenten Campaign on Ash Wednesday, urging Filipinos to address systemic injustice rather than relying solely on charity. Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, president of the organization, stated that Lent requires communal and structural conversion. The campaign, now in its 51st year, aims to transform relief efforts into long-term resilience. Alminaza warned against normalized inequalities and described poverty as a cry challenging societal systems. He emphasized that fasting should keep the hunger for justice alive and free believers from complacency. The initiative seeks to move the nation from charity toward transformative accountability.
Catholic networks in Indonesia are advocating for community-based waste management strategies following the closure of the Piyungan disposal site in January 2026. A recent forum in Yogyakarta brought together church leaders and environmental experts to address the growing crisis in Yogyakarta, Sleman, and Bantul. Participants emphasized that while the state remains responsible for waste governance, the Church can foster awareness and pilot green initiatives at the parish level. Speakers highlighted the need to shift from disposal to processing and to educate communities about environmental responsibility, aiming to transform waste into a resource through sustained local action.
Bishop Jose Colin M. Bagaforo of Kidapawan in the Philippines stated that the simultaneous start of Ramadan and Lent on February 18, 2026, offers a unique chance for Muslims and Christians to promote peace and solidarity. He described the convergence as a grace that encourages believers to slow down and return to God. The bishop emphasized that fasting should transform personal faith into concrete actions supporting the marginalized. He linked ecological degradation to social injustice and cited Catholic social teaching alongside Qur’anic teachings to argue for inclusive peace. Bagaforo invited global faith communities to collaborate on caring for the poor and protecting creation as sacred tasks. (LiCAS News)
Catholic clergy in Negombo, Sri Lanka, held a silent protest on January 24 after Father Milan Priyadarshana was allegedly beaten by police. The incident occurred in Gampaha when the priest, wearing his habit, was attacked while riding a motorcycle. Six officers were detained and later suspended. Religious leaders gathered to condemn the violence, emphasizing that no citizen should face physical or mental abuse. They expressed satisfaction with the ongoing investigation but urged authorities to prevent future incidents to ensure national progress. The demonstration highlighted solidarity with the victim and a call for an end to police brutality against all citizens.
Thailand’s Ministry of Education confirmed that all children, including migrants and stateless persons, can enroll in national schools for the 2025 academic year. This policy addresses concerns arising from regional instability in Myanmar and tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. Secretary-General Pichet Phophakdee stated that schools will use a special G Code to register undocumented students, ensuring they receive government subsidies. The government argues that inclusive education promotes social stability and national security. Catholic institutions, such as the Bamboo School in Kanchanaburi, partner with the state to support displaced youth, aligning with international human rights standards and UNICEF guidelines.
Father Paul Chatsirey Roeung, a missionary in Cambodia, reports that thousands of refugees remain displaced in provinces bordering Thailand months after the 2025 conflict escalated. The border remains closed, forcing travel through Laos or by air, while social media battles intensify mutual hostility. Although the Cambodian Ministry of the Interior states that nearly 500,000 internally displaced persons have returned home, over 100,000 still reside in camps. Caritas Cambodia continues to provide food and essential goods to families in Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, and other affected areas. Roeung notes that upcoming Thai elections on February 8 may influence future diplomatic efforts to restore normal relations between the two nations.
The Conventual Franciscan Order ordained three new priests in Sasi, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, to mark 25 years of mission in the region. Bishop Dominikus Saku presided over the Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church in late January. The new priests are Fr. Joseph Agung Bathara Sembiring, Fr. Nikolaus Rufinus Nahampun, and Fr. Mauritz Dicki Nubatonis. They will serve in North Sumatra and Uzbekistan. The order chose Sasi to highlight its expansion from western to eastern Indonesia. Local officials and hundreds of faithful attended the ceremony, celebrating the order's growing pastoral commitment in the remote area.
A bishop in Bangladesh expressed concern regarding the country's upcoming elections and constitutional referendum. He stated that the process lacks inclusivity because a major political party is banned, causing public discontent. Additionally, he warned that the resurgence of Islamist groups threatens minority rights, including those of Christians. The bishop noted that many voters do not fully understand the referendum's implications. He emphasized the Church's commitment to human rights and pluralism, despite not engaging directly in political activities. According to the outlet, these developments create a delicate situation for religious minorities in the Muslim-majority country.
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