Indigenous leaders in Bangladesh gathered in a major city to mark International Indigenous Peoples’ Day, renewing demands for constitutional recognition and land rights protection. The Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples’ Forum, chaired by a senior leader, criticized the government for excluding minorities from national reforms and failing to establish a dedicated land commission. Speakers highlighted ongoing discrimination and the state’s refusal to acknowledge indigenous identity. They urged full implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tract Peace Accord, warning that communities face existential threats without official recognition and legal safeguards. The event drew attention to the plight of approximately 4 million indigenous people in the country.
Bishop Gerardo Alminaza of San Carlos spoke at the Maryhill School of Theology on August 9, urging solidarity with Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines. He argued that their marginalization stems from intentional disregard rather than ignorance. The bishop highlighted threats from mining, energy projects, and plantations on ancestral lands, citing data from the Indigenous Peoples alliance Katribu. He also denounced militarization and the destruction of Lumad schools in Mindanao. Alminaza pledged support for communities resisting land dispossession and called for unity in defending environmental and cultural rights across the country.
A church in Goa, India, partnered with local educational institutions and environmental groups to plant over 500 mangrove saplings along the coastal causeway. This initiative, aligned with World Day for Mangrove Conservation, aims to restore river ecosystems and combat climate change impacts like storm surges and soil erosion. Running for four years, the project emphasizes the role of mangroves as critical carbon sinks. Organizers and participants highlighted the community's commitment to preserving local coastal habitats, demonstrating a collaborative effort between religious bodies and environmental organizations to protect the region's natural defenses against environmental degradation.
Leaders from eleven major religious organizations in Indonesia issued a joint statement on August 5, 2025, condemning rising religious intolerance. The group expressed deep concern over recent acts of intimidation and violence against worship activities across the country. They urged President Joko Widodo and law enforcement agencies to act decisively against those disrupting prayer sites. The signatories emphasized that such actions violate the constitution and national values of harmony. They called for strict investigations into crimes against places of worship and appealed for cooperation among government bodies and civil society to safeguard religious freedom and communal peace.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea has condemned a proposed amendment to the maternal and child health law. The bill, filed by Democratic Party Representative Nam In-soon, seeks to replace the term “artificial intervention for abortion” with “artificial termination of pregnancy.” The bishops argue this language obscures the nature of life and risks normalizing abortion as a routine medical procedure. They also oppose legalizing all forms of abortion and including the practice in national health insurance. The group claims the legislation violates the Constitution’s guarantee of human dignity and the right to life, urging lawmakers to protect both women and the unborn.
Residents near the Thailand-Cambodia border are returning to their villages following a ceasefire agreed upon in Kuala Lumpur. However, Fr. Paolo Pradabsin Duangthong of the Diocese of Ubon Ratchathani warns that life remains disrupted. Many homes were destroyed by artillery fire, and some areas are restricted due to unexploded ordnance. Sunday Mass is suspended in places like Nam Yuen District because evacuees fear renewed violence. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated the government is considering increased compensation for damaged property. Recent landmine injuries highlight continued dangers, leaving locals anxious about the stability of the peace agreement.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Matt Wang on UnsplashPersecuted church
Church leaders in India have condemned a violent assault on two priests, a catechist, and two nuns in Odisha. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India stated that Bajrang Dal members ambushed the group near a village on August 6. The attackers falsely accused the clergy of forced conversions while they were traveling to conduct a requiem Mass. CBCI President Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath warned of rising intolerance against Christians. Police arrived after 45 minutes to escort the victims away. As of August 8, no formal police report had been filed. Political leaders accused the ruling party of complicity through inaction.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has issued a pastoral letter calling for urgent government intervention regarding land dispossession of the Molbog and Cagayanen Indigenous Peoples in Palawan. Signed by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, the document highlights ongoing harassment and displacement in Maria Hangin, where residents face threats from armed groups and demolition plans for tourism projects. The bishops urge the Department of Agrarian Reform and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples to expedite ancestral domain title applications and withdraw security forces. They emphasize the need to rectify historical injustices and ensure dignity for these communities.
Decomposing bodies of Cambodian soldiers left behind along the Thai-Cambodian border have raised serious health and humanitarian concerns. Bishop Stephen Boonlert Promsena of Ubon Ratchathani told LiCAS News that the strong odor of corpses near frontline areas poses disease risks and dishonors the dead. Thai authorities have lodged formal protests regarding these potential health hazards. Former security official Lt. Gen. Pongsakorn Rodchomphu alleged that Cambodia’s military doctrine prioritizes advancement over recovering casualties to conceal loss figures. Meanwhile, aid agencies continue to provide shelter and supplies to thousands of displaced residents in Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, and Buriram, despite a recent ceasefire agreement reached in Malaysia.
The Catholic Church in Hong Kong organized a community event at Wah Yan College in Kowloon last month to celebrate migrants and refugees. Approximately 400 participants attended the gathering, which was supported by nearly 300 volunteers. Cardinal Stephen Chow officiated the opening, emphasizing unity and the Church's mission to support displaced individuals. He highlighted concerns regarding education for refugee children and pledged assistance through local institutions. Good Shepherd Sister Corazon Demetillo welcomed attendees, noting the initiative's roots in Pope Francis's call for inclusiveness. The day featured cultural performances, interactive activities, and announcements for future skill-building programs aimed at enhancing collaboration among partner organizations.
Catholic bishops in South Korea have issued a statement urging renewed dialogue and cooperation with North Korea. The message marks decades since the peninsula's division. The bishops emphasized seeking peace through reciprocity rather than military force. They highlighted ongoing support for North Koreans facing natural disasters and economic hardship. The statement recalls historical suffering and calls for the faithful to pray for healing and national unity. The bishops referenced Psalm 34 and Pope Francis's concept of a common home to encourage hope and reconciliation between the two nations.
Malaysian rights groups have warned that misrepresenting HIV awareness programs as 'gay parties' risks fueling stigma and discouraging people from seeking treatment. The SIS Forum (Malaysia) stated that criminalizing such health initiatives could set a dangerous precedent and lead to arrests or public shaming. This warning follows a police raid in Kota Bharu where 20 men were arrested. NGOs and medical professionals dispute the claim, asserting the event focused on sexual health education. Islamic leaders argue that preventing harm aligns with religious ethics, while human rights advocates urge authorities to avoid mixed messages that could deprive vulnerable communities of their dignity.
Eleven-year-old Gianna Grace Techamontrikul from Thailand became a notable figure at the Jubilee of Youth in Rome, drawing attention for her faith despite health challenges. The event, held from July 28 to August 3, gathered over a million young people under the theme Pilgrims of Hope. Grace attended with her parents, George and Maria Techamontrikul, participating in activities and meeting Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Basilica. According to LiCAS News, her family described the experience as a profound spiritual milestone. The Pope urged the youth to build a world based on dialogue and compassion, remembering those affected by war in regions like Gaza and Ukraine.
The president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences addressed the 20th Plenary Assembly of SECAM in a city in Rwanda. He urged the Church to act as pilgrims of hope amid global crises such as conflict and economic distress. He highlighted the ongoing synodal process initiated by the Pope and praised the assembly’s theme of Christ as a source of peace. He expressed solidarity between African and Asian churches, noting their shared struggles with poverty and migration. The cardinal stated that this joint journey strengthens the Church’s witness in the modern world. According to the outlet, he emphasized the need for reconciliation and inclusion.
Salesian youth in Cambodia and Thailand have issued a joint statement urging humility and dialogue as a fragile ceasefire faces strain. The truce, mediated by Malaysia and backed by U.S. pressure, began on July 28 after deadly clashes over contested temples killed at least 43 people and displaced nearly 300,000. Despite the agreement, Cambodia demands the return of 20 captured soldiers, while Thailand states they are being treated under international law. UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged full respect for the truce. The youth launched a peace initiative rooted in Buddhist and Christian values, warning against digital misinformation and emphasizing courage in building peace.
Skirmishes continued along the Thai-Cambodian border despite a ceasefire agreed on July 28, according to LiCAS News. Bishop Stephen Boonlert Phromsena of Ubon Ratchathani Diocese stated that evacuees must remain in shelters until safety is confirmed. The conflict, which killed at least 35 people, displaced hundreds of Catholics and nearly 200,000 residents across four provinces. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai acknowledged communication gaps in implementing the truce. Church leaders are providing relief aid while awaiting clearer military discussions and ASEAN-mediated peace talks in Malaysia.
The KarinaKAS Foundation, the humanitarian arm of the Archdiocese of Semarang, launched the Wredaloka elderly care initiative in Yogyakarta on July 26. The program coincides with the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. It offers health checks, exercise, dementia screening, and counseling to seniors from 11 parishes. Father Bernardus Himawan Pr stated the initiative aims to provide holistic care and foster social interaction. Organizers view Wredaloka as a replicable model for parish-based elderly ministry in Central Java, Indonesia.
Depaul International and the Vincentian Foundation launched the Onward Home program in Quezon City, Philippines, on July 27. The initiative provides stable shelter and psychosocial support to 150 homeless children and their caregivers. Organizers state the project addresses urban homelessness exacerbated by climate-related disasters. Families receive up to 12 months of housing, mental health assessments, and livelihood training. The program utilizes disaster-resilient construction methods to protect residents from typhoons. Fr. Geowen Porcincula and Matthew Carter emphasized that housing offers dignity and stability for vulnerable populations in the capital region.
Urakami Church in Nagasaki, Japan, installed a replica of its original small bell on July 17, 2025. This event marks the 80th anniversary of the 1945 atomic bombing that destroyed the original bell near the blast's epicenter. The project was led by Professor James Rowley Nolan Jr. of Williams College, following support from American Catholics. The new bell, named the Bell of Saint Kateri of Hope, underwent final adjustments after a public exhibition that drew thousands of visitors. It will ring for the first time on August 9 at 11:02 a.m., coinciding with the exact moment the bomb detonated. Archbishop Michiaki Nakamura and other representatives attended the blessing ceremony before the installation in the northern bell tower.
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