Sr. Nina Benedikta Krapic, a communication expert at the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, addressed students at the MISSION POSSIBLE Youth Social Hackathon in Antipolo, Philippines, on October 26. She urged young people to move beyond traditional church roles and take active leadership in solving social issues. The event, organized by Assumption Antipolo and LiCAS.news, brought together students from twelve Catholic schools to design faith-driven responses to community challenges. Sr. Krapic emphasized that youth are capable collaborators and should serve the poor with full presence, citing Pope Leo XIV’s exhortation Dilexit te as a guide for renewal and service.
The Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo inaugurated Tarakanita University in East Jakarta on October 22, 2025. Previously a college, the institution gained university status through a decree from LLDIKTI Region III. The new university offers programs in exact and non-exact sciences, targeting affordable education for lower-middle-class students. Sr. Dr. Yustiana Wiwiek Iswanti stated the mission focuses on inclusive learning. Dr. Antonius Singgih Setiawan, the first dean, highlighted the Single Tuition Fee system. Government officials praised the move as a step toward national educational progress.
A global report highlights a severe deterioration in religious freedom across Asia, driven by authoritarian control and ethno-religious nationalism. The study identifies significant restrictions in specific Asian nations, alongside increased attacks on Christians in other regions. Governments are increasingly treating religious expression as a threat to state security. Globally, nearly two-thirds of the world's population resides in countries with serious violations of religious liberty, underscoring the urgent need for protection and awareness regarding these widespread human rights abuses.
Bishop Elmer Mangalinao of Bayombong urged local officials in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines, to address police violence against environmental defenders in Bitnong village. Residents from five communities are protesting Woggle Corporation’s mining exploration permit, citing threats to their land and water. The Order of Friars Minor expressed solidarity with the villagers, stating that protecting the land is a moral duty. This conflict highlights ongoing tensions between extractive industries and Indigenous groups in the Cagayan Valley region.
The Archdiocese of Bangkok honored World Mission Sunday with Laity Sunday at St. Louis Church on October 19. George Varakorn Techamontrikul, president of the Catholic Business Executives and Professionals, urged attendees to act as missionaries of hope in their daily lives. He emphasized that evangelization extends beyond priests to all baptized Catholics. Chutima Sevikul shared how her media program spreads Gospel values, while Dr. Virachai Techavijit highlighted the need for more committed lay catechists to support the aging clergy. The event underscored the vital role of laypeople in the Church's mission across Thailand.
The Mission Possible Youth Social Hackathon opened on October 24 in Antipolo, Philippines, bringing together students from 12 schools for a three-day event running through October 26. Co-organized by Assumption Antipolo and LiCAS News, the initiative aims to help young people develop faith-driven solutions to local social problems. Sr. Mary Joseph Concepcion and School Director Marie Grace Magtaas emphasized the goal of fostering synodality and youth empowerment. Peter Monthienvichienchai of LiCAS News noted the participants' creativity. This Philippine edition follows previous successful runs in Thailand, seeking to form changemakers who can implement concrete actions in their communities.
Salesian missionaries in a region of India have launched a 100-day awareness campaign to combat child marriage. The initiative targets specific districts within the state, organized in partnership with a local NGO. The effort aims to eradicate the practice despite existing legal prohibitions. Over 300 parents have signed pledges against marrying off underage children. This local action aligns with a national movement led by a prominent government minister, which has reportedly prevented numerous child marriages across the country. The Salesians emphasize the need for community cooperation to secure a safer future for children in the affected areas.
During a World Mission Sunday Mass in Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV urged an immediate ceasefire in Myanmar, describing the ongoing conflict as distressing. He condemned aerial bombardments against civilians and infrastructure since May 2021. The Pope also prayed for peace in the Holy Land and Ukraine, asking leaders for wisdom to achieve lasting stability. Additionally, he highlighted the role of missionaries on World Mission Sunday, blessing those who spread the Gospel. The appeal was reported by Vatican News, emphasizing the Church's call for dialogue and an end to violence in war-torn regions.
The alumni association of Universitas Widya Dharma Pontianak in Indonesia has awarded a tuition scholarship to Sherly, a Business Management student from the remote Batang Lupar District in West Kalimantan. The IKA group provided the funds in September 2025 to help cover her fixed tuition fees. This initiative supports students facing financial difficulties and reflects the university's Capuchin-run mission of solidarity. Sherly, who traveled extensively to reach the university, received the award with support from the YKCA Foundation. Alumni leaders stated the program aims to sustain the institution's commitment to serving marginalized communities through education.
The Guadalupe Missioners marked their 50th anniversary in Hong Kong with a thanksgiving Mass on October 1 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Cardinal Stephen Chow presided over the liturgy, joined by Bishop Emeritus John Cardinal Tong Hon and more than 30 priests. According to the Sunday Examiner, the event celebrated the group's commitment to evangelization and solidarity with the local Church. Father Tito Martin Lopez, the superior in Hong Kong, recalled the mission's origins in 1975 with five missionaries from Mexico. The celebration highlighted decades of service in education, healthcare, and pastoral care, emphasizing unity within the universal Church.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over a Thanksgiving Mass in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 19, marking the 25th anniversary of the Catholic Church's revival in the country. He urged the local community to act as missionaries of hope, emphasizing that this mission belongs to all believers, not just clergy. The celebration coincided with World Mission Sunday. The Catholic presence in Azerbaijan was destroyed during the Soviet era and formally re-established in 2000 under the Salesians. Bishop Vladimir Fekete and other clergy joined the event, reflecting on the community's growth since Pope John Paul II's 2002 visit and the emergence of local vocations.
Pope Leo XIV will canonize Peter To Rot on October 19 in Rome, making him Papua New Guinea's first recognized saint. The ceremony coincides with World Mission Sunday and honors the lay catechist who was killed by Japanese forces in 1945. To Rot resisted the occupation's push for polygamy and defended Christian marriage. Approximately one hundred pilgrims from Papua New Guinea will attend the Mass, with four of his relatives participating in the liturgy. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference confirmed the delegation's presence. This event marks a pivotal moment for the nation's two million Catholics, highlighting To Rot's legacy of faith and resistance to local customs that contradicted Church teachings.
Cardinal William Goh of Singapore urged Catholics to view migrants as examples of faith during a Mass at St. Anne’s Church in Sengkang. Marking the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, he described migrants as “missionaries of hope” whose resilience can renew the Church’s spirit. He noted that locals often take life for granted compared to the courage migrants show. Around 500 people attended the event, which included cultural performances. The Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants & Itinerant People co-organized the celebration. Raymundo Yu highlighted ongoing efforts to foster understanding between locals and migrant communities through youth programs.
A cardinal in Myanmar addressed religious leaders, urging them to maintain hope during the civil war. Speaking at a cathedral, he emphasized that consecrated life requires a hopeful spirit. The event, part of a jubilee, featured remarks from a diplomatic representative who praised the community's courage. Celebrations also occurred in Rakhine State, highlighting interfaith solidarity and the resilience of religious groups providing aid amidst displacement and collapsed public services. The cardinal's message focused on gratitude and service to the poor, reflecting the enduring faith of believers in a conflict-ridden nation.
Thailand’s Department of Religious Affairs is investigating a Protestant church for conducting a controversial “fire exorcism” ritual. Videos showed leaders shouting “fire” while participants convulsed. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand clarified that the Catholic Church does not use fire in exorcisms, calling the practice a distortion of faith. The Protestant group involved, part of the Christian Fellowship of Thailand, has suspended the church’s membership pending review. Authorities warn that such sensational acts violate public safety and moral standards. The incident highlights tensions between state regulations and religious practices in Thailand.
The International Criminal Court has ordered former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to remain in detention in The Hague. Judges ruled that the 80-year-old former leader poses a flight risk and could influence witnesses due to his political network, which includes Vice President Sara Duterte. Duterte was arrested in Manila on March 11 and faces charges of crimes against humanity related to killings during his anti-drug campaign. Human rights advocates, including Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay, welcomed the decision as a victory for justice. They argue that continued detention is necessary to protect the integrity of the proceedings and encourage more victims to come forward. The court will next determine if it has jurisdiction and if Duterte is fit to stand trial.
Caritas Jerusalem has welcomed the recent Gaza peace agreement, describing it as a long-awaited sign of hope. The organization suspended operations at five medical points since September 22, 2025, due to mass evacuations, but 102 employees continued work in the south. Secretary General Anton Asfar and Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa expressed relief and hope for rebuilding lives. Meanwhile, ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric urged parties to uphold commitments to ensure safe aid delivery and hostage releases in Israel and Gaza. The Church aims to focus on healing and restoration following the conflict.
Faith groups in the Philippines have called for prayer and solidarity following a magnitude-7.4 earthquake off Davao Oriental on Friday. Caritas Philippines and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines expressed sympathy and urged collective compassion for those affected. The tremor killed at least three people and caused structural damage, including collapsed walls in Mati City and Davao City. Authorities lifted a tsunami warning after minor waves were detected. Experts noted the quake was less destructive than recent events in Cebu due to its greater depth. Religious organizations are coordinating with local dioceses to assess immediate needs and provide support to impacted communities.
Church and government officials in Jakarta launched a commemorative book titled Faith, Fraternity, and Compassion on Friday. The publication marks the first anniversary of Pope Francis’s historic September 2024 trip to Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation. According to the Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. Nasaruddin Umar, the book serves as a moral reflection rather than just a travel record. It highlights the Istiqlal Declaration and aims to strengthen interfaith solidarity and ecological responsibility. The Indonesian Bishops’ Conference ordered 2,000 copies for distribution to dioceses nationwide to encourage concrete acts of compassion.
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