A delegation of Vietnamese Catholic bishops visited St. Francis Xavier Chompa Parish in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on September 6, marking the first such encounter in 15 years. The group met with over 2,000 Vietnamese migrants living along the Mekong River. During the trip, the bishops presented a statue of Our Lady of La Vang and observed local flooding conditions. The visit coincided with the episcopal ordination of Bishop Pierre Suon Hangly in Phnom Penh, who becomes the first Khmer bishop in over 50 years. On September 7, the bishops joined Hangly for a thanksgiving Mass at St. Joseph Psa Touch Church to mark the 65th anniversary of the Vietnamese episcopate.
Victims' families and human rights advocates in the Philippines strongly condemned the International Criminal Court's decision to indefinitely postpone the confirmation of charges hearing for former president Rodrigo Duterte. The ICC granted the delay after Duterte's legal team claimed he was unfit to stand trial. Relatives of those killed in the drug war rejected this argument, stating the move undermines accountability for thousands of extrajudicial killings. During a press conference in Quezon City on September 9, 2025, families expressed frustration over the nine-year wait for justice. Rights lawyers argued the trial could proceed without Duterte's personal appearance, citing ICC rules that allow suspects to waive attendance.
In a hilly region of India, three Carmelite priests serve a parish spanning numerous villages. The Aid to the Church in Need funded two new motorcycles to replace worn-out vehicles. This support enables the priests to travel more safely and efficiently through difficult terrain to administer sacraments and visit the sick. A priest expressed gratitude for the assistance, noting that the new bikes significantly simplify their pastoral work. The donation helps missionaries reach their flock in a remote area where infrastructure is poor and travel is challenging, ensuring continued care for the local community despite logistical hardships.
A Vatican cardinal visited a city in Bangladesh to promote interreligious dialogue and humility. He met with the Chief Justice, who emphasized inclusivity and overcoming divisions based on religion or race. The cardinal celebrated Mass at a local church, warning that pride fuels conflict while praising the nation as a model of communal harmony. The delegation, including a secretary of the dicastery, also engaged with leaders from Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu communities. A senior church leader welcomed the initiative as vital for promoting peace among different religious traditions in the country.
On September 6, Monsignor Pierre Suon Hangly was ordained as the first Khmer bishop in Cambodia since the Khmer Rouge regime, marking a historic milestone for the Catholic Church in the country. The ceremony took place at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Phnom Penh Thmey, attended by thousands of faithful and international clergy. Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler presided over the event, while Archbishop Peter B. Wells highlighted the significance of appointing a local leader. Hangly, who previously served as Apostolic Prefect of Kampong Cham, will assist the current Vicar Apostolic and automatically succeed him. The appointment symbolizes the resilience and renewal of the Catholic community in Cambodia after decades of persecution.
Following the canonization of Saint Carlo Acutis in Italy on September 7, 2025, young Catholics worldwide are using social media to share their faith. Pope Leo XIV praised Acutis as a model for dedicating life to God. In Thailand, 11-year-old Gianna Grace exemplifies this trend through her video series, Grace’s Chit Chat. She recently visited Acutis’ tomb in Assisi during the Jubilee of Digital Missionaries. Her parents note that her short clips make faith accessible to busy audiences. The Vatican states Acutis serves as a witness that youth can live the Gospel consistently. This movement bridges technology and religion, encouraging Generation Z to engage with the Church online.
DePaul International and the Vincentian Missionaries Social Development Foundation have launched the Onward Home initiative in Quezon City, Philippines. The program adopts a housing-led approach to address street homelessness, which affects over a million people in Manila. It provides permanent shelter to 150 children and their caregivers using disaster-resilient construction methods. Officials state that stable housing is essential for safety and long-term social support. This marks DePaul International's first such project in Asia, aiming to generate evidence for scaling up similar interventions in the region.
An international webinar held in Bangkok on September 4, 2025, examined the role of Vietnamese migrants in the Catholic Church's global mission. Organized by the Asian Research Center for Religion and Social Communication and Dehonians USA, the event featured speakers such as Fr. Anthony Le Duc and Fr. Stephen Bevans. They discussed the historical context of Vietnamese migration since the 18th century and highlighted how over six million migrants worldwide contribute to the Church. Participants emphasized that migrants act as missionaries, enriching local communities through faith, cultural exchange, and pastoral initiatives in countries including the United States, Japan, and Australia.
Relics of Blessed Carlo Acutis are touring Thailand ahead of his canonization on September 7 in Rome. The first-class relic, including strands of hair, arrived in Bangkok on September 3. Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana presided over the welcome ceremony. The relics will visit all 11 Thai dioceses until October 19. Hundreds of Catholics gathered in Bangkok to venerate the items. Acutis, known as the patron saint of the internet, died at 15. The Vatican recognized two miracles attributed to him. His life inspires young people through digital faith.
An interfaith group in Indonesia has called for national unity and dialogue amid ongoing demonstrations and security deployments in Jakarta. The forum, comprising Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus, expressed concern that recent unrest has damaged democratic progress and national cohesion. In a statement to Fides News Agency, the scholars urged authorities to listen to citizens, avoid provocative narratives, and implement parliamentary reforms. Additionally, religious leaders in Semarang gathered to advocate for peace and fundamental reforms, emphasizing that dialogue is preferable to repression. They pledged their support for stability and reconciliation across the country. (Source: LiCAS News)
Over 100 young leaders from Sri Lanka and India participated in transformative leadership programs organized by a regional Catholic student movement. The sessions took place in various cities across both nations throughout August. According to the outlet, the initiative aims to strengthen commitment to human rights, citizenship, and faith-driven action. Organizers stated the program builds capacity for social transformation among tertiary students. Participants engaged in activities focusing on justice, problem-solving, and addressing local issues like illiteracy and unemployment. The training was anchored in Catholic Social Teaching and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Pope Leo XIV will preside over an ecumenical commemoration for twenty-first-century Christian martyrs on September 14 in Rome. The event takes place at the Papal Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls and involves representatives from various Christian denominations. Organized by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, the service aims to honor believers killed for their faith across regions including Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Church officials state the gathering highlights unity through shared sacrifice and seeks to preserve the memory of these witnesses while encouraging reconciliation among different Christian communities.
Fr Flaviano Villanueva of the Society of the Divine Word stated that his Ramon Magsaysay Award is a call for the Philippine Church to defend human dignity. Speaking to LiCAS News, he urged parishes and lay groups to prioritize truth and accountability over ritual observance. Villanueva highlighted his work with the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center in Manila, which supports victims of the anti-drug campaign. He dedicated the honor to homeless individuals and families affected by violence, insisting that Christian faith must result in concrete action to restore dignity and heal a wounded nation. The award recognizes transformative leadership in Asia.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh launched a nationwide initiative to plant one million trees, inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’. Starting in August 2020, the program aims to mitigate climate change impacts in a country highly vulnerable to natural disasters. A church leader stated that the Church is also promoting green practices and supporting poor communities in various regions. The effort has gained interfaith support, with Protestants and Muslims participating in tree planting and environmental awareness workshops. Officials note that this collaboration helps address climate-induced migration and promotes sustainable development across the nation.
The Joseph Clinic, operated by the Archdiocese of Seoul, officially reopened on August 29 at a new location near Seoul Station. Founded in 1987 by Dr. Sunwoo Kyung-sik, the facility has treated over 770,000 patients for free. Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick presided over the inauguration Mass, emphasizing the clinic's mission to serve the poor and homeless. The move from Yeongdeungpo aims to better reach marginalized communities in the city center. The clinic currently employs 130 unpaid medical professionals and 700 volunteers. Outreach to flophouse residents in Dongja-dong and Jongno is scheduled to begin in September.
MercyHK, a Hong Kong charity founded by Father John Wotherspoon, is launching a new drug treatment facility in Sha Tau Kok this September. The center targets young addicts in early-stage recovery, offering yearlong programs that combine spiritual formation with vocational training in areas like computer operation and electrical work. Director Eddie Chan states the initiative addresses physical, mental, and spiritual needs through prayer, Bible sharing, and activities such as pet care. The group, supported by the Beat Drugs Fund, aims to help residents reintegrate into society. This expansion follows recent success in supporting over 170 drug users and reaching more than 1,000 students through school seminars across the region.
Filipino priest Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva has been named a 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee in the Philippines. The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation honored him for restoring dignity to the poor and victims of the former government’s war on drugs. Villanueva founded the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center in Manila in 2015 to provide care, education, and healing for marginalized communities. He also helped establish a memorial columbarium for drug war victims. The priest previously faced sedition charges during the Duterte administration, which were dropped in 2023. The award ceremony will take place in Manila on November 7. (LiCAS News)
Indigenous advocates filed complaints in Seoul against the Korean Export-Import Bank and Daewoo Engineering & Construction regarding the Jalaur Mega Dam in the Philippines. The Jalaur River for the People’s Movement accuses the institutions of human rights abuses and environmental destruction. They cite a lack of free, prior, and informed consent for the Tumandok people and highlight a 2020 massacre that killed nine leaders. The group demands accountability, justice for victims, and an end to funding. South Korean supporters also called for an independent investigation to ensure corporate responsibility and protect the affected communities and their ancestral lands.
Caritas Cambodia has launched a relief effort for thousands displaced by recent clashes with Thailand. Between August 25 and 26, the organization distributed clean water and hygiene supplies to 6,194 families in Preah Vihear, Siem Reap, and Oddar Meanchey provinces. The initiative, running through October 2025, also provides temporary shelters and mental health counseling. Apostolic Prefect Msgr. Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzález and Executive Director Kim Ratana led the distribution. Archbishop Peter B. Wells praised the group's work, noting that misinformation has worsened the crisis, leaving many returnees without jobs or housing. The project aims to address immediate needs while preparing for long-term reintegration challenges.
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