Cardinal Isao Kikuchi of Tokyo stated that Christian unity in Japan is advancing through shared social action rather than formal church mergers. Speaking during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, he noted that while doctrinal dialogue has occurred, organizational unity remains difficult. However, cooperation across denominations on social issues has become common. The cardinal emphasized that this practical collaboration represents significant progress in living the Gospel. He called for deepening this bond into shared spiritual life. An ecumenical service was held at Tokyo Cathedral on January 18, presided over by Kikuchi, with a message by Rev. Yoshitaka Kano.
South Korean Ambassador Hyung Sik Shin told Fides News Agency that World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul aims to foster peace in East Asia. The government allocated three billion won for preparations, expecting one million pilgrims. Shin stated the event, potentially featuring Pope Leo XIV, could open diplomatic channels and encourage dialogue with North Korea. Officials hope to engage youth in a participatory peace process, shifting focus from confrontation to reconciliation. The gathering seeks to promote a culture of encounter and position the peninsula as a hub for global cooperation rather than division.
The Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is providing humanitarian and pastoral aid to communities recovering from Cyclone Ditwah. The storm killed over 600 people and affected 2.3 million residents late last year. Father Basil Rohan Fernando stated that the church aims to keep hope alive through material, financial, and spiritual assistance. The government, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is also rebuilding infrastructure and providing subsidies to vulnerable families. Reconstruction costs are estimated at $7 billion, posing a significant challenge as the nation recovers from its 2022 economic collapse.
In late November 2025, the Catholic Church in Indonesia held its fourth national workshop in Jakarta to expand support for women facing unwanted pregnancies. Organized by the Forum Komunikasi Penyayang Kehidupan, the event brought together church leaders, medical professionals, and advocates to implement pastoral services established in 2021. Participants mapped regional needs and discussed integrating medical, psychological, and shelter resources. Bishop Yanuarius Yan Olla and Dr. Felix Gunawan emphasized the importance of comprehensive care and counseling. The gathering aims to strengthen diocesan networks and coordinate ongoing pro-life efforts across the country through shared information and practical collaboration.
Families along the Thai-Cambodian border are returning home as tensions ease following a December 27 ceasefire. Bishop Stephen Boonlert Promsena of Ubon Ratchathani confirmed that Catholic evacuees have largely left shelters, with the Church shifting focus to pastoral care and healing. While many have returned, Thai authorities warn that over 180,000 civilians should not yet go back due to unexploded ordnance. Cambodia reports that approximately 460,000 displaced people have returned by January 7. Border crossings remain closed, and humanitarian needs persist on both sides of the frontier. (Source: LiCAS News)
Pope Leo XIV urged Catholic communities to deepen their prayers for the full unity of Christians during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which began on January 18 in Vatican City. Speaking after the Angelus, the Pope highlighted the initiative's historical roots and its current theme from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. The reflections were prepared by an ecumenical group coordinated by the Armenian Apostolic Church. The week concludes on January 25 with a Vespers service presided over by the Pope at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome.
Christian denominations in Hong Kong have issued a joint statement urging deeper cooperation ahead of the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The appeal, released by the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, and the Hong Kong Christian Council, emphasizes living out unity despite divisions. The observance centers on Ephesians 4:4. Scheduled events include a Joint Ecumenical Communion Service on January 22 at Truth Lutheran Church, led by the Rev. Wong Ka-fai, and an Ecumenical Prayer Evening on January 24 at Ward Memorial Methodist Church. Churches are also encouraged to observe Unity Sunday on January 18 by exchanging pulpits and praying together. (Source: Sunday Examiner)
Catholic leaders in Myanmar convened in a major city for an assembly, concluding with a Mass at the local cathedral. Presided over by Cardinal Charles Maung Bo, the gathering addressed Pope Leo XIV’s peace appeal amid the nation’s deepening security crisis. The bishops highlighted the Church’s role in reconciliation and noted that Catholic institutions are assisting earthquake victims regardless of background. They also addressed stalled education due to civil war and reviewed the political landscape as military-controlled areas hold elections without democratic parties. The event underscored the need for dialogue and justice in a nation where conflict persists.
On Kei Besar Island in Southeast Maluku, Indonesia, the St. Brigitta Learning Centre provides nonformal education for local children and teenagers. The initiative was founded by Dr. Angelina Vanessa, a former DoctorShare program officer, and Father Patrisius Jeujanan, a priest from the Indonesian Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The center focuses on developing practical skills, including music, English proficiency, and public speaking, alongside Christian faith formation. Daily operations are managed by educator Mrs. Tien Jeujanan and supported by volunteers. The founders also plan to establish a kindergarten and a mini soccer field to encourage healthy physical activity among the youth.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto addressed the 2025 National Christmas Celebration in Jakarta on Monday, urging national unity and harmony. He emphasized that Christian values of love and sacrifice align with Indonesia's motto of Unity in Diversity. The event, attended by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming and religious leaders, featured the theme 'God Is Present, Saving the Family.' During his speech, Prabowo announced that Indonesia achieved rice self-sufficiency by December 31, 2025, claiming this reduced global rice prices. He also highlighted historical examples of interfaith cooperation, such as the Istiqlal Mosque's Christian architect, to illustrate the nation's commitment to religious moderation and social welfare.
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Illustrative photo
Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Farid Ershad on UnsplashPersecuted church
A recent global assessment identifies Asia as the most dangerous region for Christians, with over 181 million believers facing severe persecution or discrimination. The report highlights that two in five Asian Christians live under high or extreme pressure. While Africa accounts for most killings, Asia’s challenges stem from state control, legal restrictions, and social exclusion rather than mass violence. Countries in the region rank among the most hostile. Converts and ethnic minorities are particularly vulnerable. Globally, 388 million Christians face significant hardship, highlighting a worsening situation for religious minorities worldwide.
A high court in Pakistan has ordered the return of a thirteen-year-old Christian girl to her parents after she was abducted late last year. The court rejected claims by the accused that the girl was an adult who consented to marriage and religious conversion. Official records confirmed she is a minor, making her legally incapable of consenting to such acts. The court ordered the accused's arrest under relevant penal code sections. A legal aid representative welcomed the decision as a significant victory for child protection and minority rights. The case proceeds in a district court in Punjab province.
Fides News Agency reports that 17 Catholic pastoral workers were killed globally in 2025 due to their ministry. Africa suffered the highest toll with 10 deaths, including five in a country in West Africa, two in a nation in the Sahel, and one each in other African states. The Americas recorded four fatalities, with two nuns murdered in a Caribbean nation, one priest in a North American country, and another in a large North American republic. Asia saw two priest killings in Southeast Asian nations, while one priest died in a European country. Pope Leo XIV highlighted their witness as a prophecy of good over evil. The report notes 626 such deaths occurred between 2000 and 2025.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports authorized the resumption of classes in Banteay Meanchey province on January 5, ending a month-long shutdown caused by security tensions with Thailand. The closure had affected 1,311 schools, impacting over 322,000 students and 15,000 teachers. The decision follows a fragile ceasefire announced on December 27. The Don Bosco Poipet School, serving vulnerable youth, organized transport to ensure student attendance. While the Thai army maintains high operational readiness, the Ministry reported high attendance rates, signaling a return to normalcy for border communities. (LiCAS News)
The Catholic Church in Indonesia has formally initiated the beatification process for Bishop Arnoldus Johannes Hubertus Aerts and twelve Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Bishop Seno Ngutra of Amboina announced the decision during a ceremony on December 30, 2025, at the Kei Martyrs Pilgrimage Park in Southeast Maluku. The group was executed by Japanese troops on July 30, 1942, for their fidelity to the Christian faith. According to the outlet, the missionaries chose to remain with local communities rather than flee to Australia. The process seeks recognition of their martyrdom, which the bishop described as a sacrifice that helped spread Christianity in the region.
A bishop in India highlights a stark contrast between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public gestures of inclusivity toward Christians and ongoing attacks against Christian communities. In a reflection, the auxiliary prelate notes that violent incidents against churches and worshippers often occur during the same periods as the Prime Minister’s outreach. The bishop argues that this pattern suggests ideological hostility rather than spontaneous disorder. He criticizes the government’s lack of condemnation and calls for constitutional accountability, asserting that silence in the face of violence erodes public trust and challenges state authority. The bishop emphasizes that Christians seek equal treatment under the law while continuing their charitable work across the country.
Ms. Surarak Chainiramol, known as Teacher Lian, has directed the Don Bosco Home in Bang Sak, Phang Nga Province, Thailand, for nearly two decades. Established after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Salesian-run facility supports orphaned and vulnerable children. Currently caring for 43 students, the home emphasizes education and non-violent discipline inspired by St. John Bosco. According to the outlet, nearly 300 alumni have achieved self-sufficiency. Teacher Lian states that success is measured by character and happiness rather than wealth, highlighting the home's role in rebuilding young lives through consistent care and hope.
Indigenous youth filmmakers from Cambodia, East Timor, India, and Papua New Guinea participated in the Second Namuncurá Short Film Festival in Kep, Cambodia, in late December. Organized by Don Bosco Cambodia with support from ROOTS Asia, the event showcased short films highlighting rural and Indigenous stories. According to the outlet, top awards went to works by Rith Soton, Dersiana da Cruz, and Khraw Kupar Kharrsyntiew. The initiative aims to empower communities through creative tools, aligning with the Salesian theme of hope. Father Samnang Albeiro Rodas stated the next edition will connect to a seminar in February 2026 to strengthen Indigenous leadership in media production.
A senior Catholic leader in India issued a New Year message expressing deep concern over rising attacks against Christians. He stated that these incidents threaten the nation's constitutional and moral foundations. A legal group documented a spike in violence, citing systematic intimidation across multiple states. The group accused law enforcement of complicity and urged federal intervention to uphold religious freedom and accountability. The leader called on authorities to act impartially to restore confidence in democratic values and protect believers from persecution.
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