Catholic leaders in Thailand marked National Youth Day on September 19 by urging young people to serve as peacemakers and uphold human dignity. The observance, established in 1985, aligns with UN goals for youth development. Father Paul Eakarat Homprathum noted that dioceses nationwide hosted gatherings and service initiatives. Archbishop Anthony Veeradet Chaiseri called youth to be reconcilers in a divided world. Father Dolthisak Chatbanyong addressed digital age challenges, citing Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical. He warned that while AI processes data quickly, it lacks conscience and moral responsibility. He urged youth to use technology to build a civilization of love and compassion rather than reducing human value to algorithms.
Saint Louis Hospital in Bangkok marked its 128th anniversary on September 15, highlighting its history as Thailand’s first nonprofit private medical center. Founded in 1898 by Bishop Jean-Louis Vey, the institution continues to provide compassionate Catholic healthcare. The celebration included a Thanksgiving Mass led by Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij and a community health fair offering free screenings and medical education. The 412-bed tertiary center serves diverse communities through specialized care and charity clinics, maintaining its mission of mercy-driven service since its inception.
A youth delegation from Verona, Italy, spent August 21–26 in northern Thailand’s Diocese of Chiang Mai for a faith-and-service immersion. Organized by Young Caritas Verona and CPAG, the group lived with local Thai and indigenous Karen Catholic families across five parish districts. They shared meals, cultural activities, and supported village-level development projects. The visit highlights a decades-long bond between the Church of Triveneto in Italy and the Diocese of Chiang Mai, where Fidei Donum priests have served since 1997. Bishop Peter Suphot Roeksujarit welcomed the group, urging them to let the experience change their hearts rather than just their travel memories. The diocese noted the mutual joy of this authentic community exchange.
The Catholic Church in Hong Kong is training nearly 100 migrant domestic workers as 'green ambassadors' to promote low-carbon living. The two-year, government-funded project, led by Caritas, aims to link environmental protection with community participation. Activities include installing the Go Green app, organizing a photography exhibition on global warming, and holding beach-cleaning campaigns. The initiative coincides with the Diocese of Hong Kong's Season of Creation, which runs from September 1 to October 4. Events include Masses, educational videos, and parish-based recycling and farming projects. Cardinal Stephen Chow will preside over the culminating outdoor Mass in Kowloon on October 3.
Father Vincenzo Bordo, an Oblate missionary in South Korea, is calling for expanded street outreach to vulnerable youth ahead of World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul. He highlights the Azit movement, which deploys volunteers to locate approximately 250,000 street children. Bordo argues that the Church must actively seek out marginalized individuals rather than waiting for them to enter church structures. His ministry includes Casa di Anna, which provides meals and support services. Korean Ambassador Shin Hyung-sik noted the event could foster faith and solidarity, while Bordo emphasized that the poor also await the Pope's attention.
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Organizers in Seoul and the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences are creating a network of Catholic digital missionaries to engage young people across Asia for World Youth Day 2027. Stephany Sun, speaking at an assembly in Manila, emphasized that these influencers will provide personal accompaniment rather than just broadcasting events. The initiative aims to involve Asian voices in strategy design, ensuring content resonates locally. Father John Mi Shen noted that digital creators will document community encounters, fostering dialogue. This effort marks the first World Youth Day in a non-Christian majority culture, seeking to extend the gathering's reach beyond physical attendees in South Korea.
Archbishop Chung Soon-taick of Seoul urged South Korean lawmakers to support the 2027 World Youth Day as a unifying national event. Speaking at the National Assembly on September 10, he asked politicians to set aside partisan differences to welcome hundreds of thousands of international youth. Both ruling and opposition parties pledged cooperation, with representatives citing the event's potential to enhance South Korea's global image and foster social peace. The gathering is scheduled for August 2027 in Seoul.
Bishop Peter Suphot Roeksujarit of Chiang Mai blessed the new St. John the Apostle Village Chapel in Ban Santonpao, Chiang Dao District, Thailand, on August 29. The structure serves the local Lahu Catholic community, who built the facility themselves. During the ceremony, the bishop urged the faithful to view the chapel as a starting point for community mission rather than just a physical building. He emphasized that the church must actively serve the poor, sick, and lonely, transforming into a 'living Church' that extends care beyond its walls to neighbors in need across the mountainous region.
The Laudato Si’ Champions project, developed by St Mary’s University in Twickenham, has expanded to nearly 300 organizations across 37 countries. The initiative was created after a 2022 survey revealed that 67% of Catholic secondary students were unaware of Pope Francis’ encyclical. Originally piloted in the Diocese of Salford, the free educational toolkit is now being relaunched for the Season of Creation. According to the university, evaluations show significant improvements in students’ understanding of Catholic ecological teaching and their sense of personal responsibility. Resources have been utilized in Kenya, the United States, and Malaysia, among other locations. Dr. Sean Whittle and Dr. Roland Daw highlight the program’s role in supporting educators and building resilience against the ecological crisis.
Father Charles Patrick Edward Burrows, known as Father Carolus, received the Special Achievement Svarna Bhumi Award 2026 in Jakarta on August 21. The Irish missionary was recognized for over fifty years of humanitarian work in Cilacap Regency, Central Java. According to the outlet, his efforts include agricultural development, education, and infrastructure in Kampung Laut. He also provides pastoral care to inmates on Nusakambangan Island. The award highlights his contributions to food security and community empowerment, earning him the local nickname 'Kiai Carolus' among the predominantly Muslim population.
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On September 9, 2026, the Baan Phu Wan Pastoral Training Center in Sam Phran District, Thailand, hosted a ceremony honoring Catholic schools for their moral education initiatives. Archbishop Francis Xavier Vira Arpondratana presided over the event, which recognized institutions and educators for promoting character building. Senior Buddhist monks and government officials attended, highlighting cross-religious cooperation. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand stated that these schools educate over 460,000 students nationwide, focusing on universal values like integrity and service. The Ministry of Education and the Moral Center certify these programs through a rigorous evaluation system, aiming to foster ethical leadership among youth.
Fr. Bosco Phulsap Leelanurak, a Thai Missionary Society priest serving at Holy Trinity Church in Hsinchu, Taiwan, attributes his arrival to divine providence. The outlet reports that his mother nurtured his faith through Teochew prayers and vocation camps. After studying in China and meeting Italian missionary Fr. Adriano Pelosin, he entered seminary. A Caritas group from Taiwan facilitated connections between Thailand and the Diocese of Hsinchu. Fr. Bosco arrived in October 2023 to assist Taiwanese faithful and Thai migrant workers. He notes that limited personnel restrict their aid, though he does not include the article's call for prayers in this factual summary.
The Christian Federation of Malaysia issued a statement on August 26 warning that extremist ideologies and divisive forces risk undermining the nation's social cohesion. Ahead of Hari Merdeka and Malaysia Day, the group urged citizens to remain vigilant against elements seeking to fracture national unity. The federation, comprising major Christian bodies, emphasized that true unity respects diversity rather than demanding uniformity. Leaders stated that Malaysians must protect the country's shared identity and resources for the common good, ensuring that distinct cultural and religious backgrounds are preserved while working together for the nation's prosperity.
In Indonesia, Deaf Catholics Matheas Teddy and Yohanes Berchman Hendra are using sign language to help their community understand the Catholic faith. They work with interpreter Fransiskus Dwi Susanto to provide pastoral services in regions including Banten and Yogyakarta. The group says that many Deaf people lack access to religious education. By teaching sign language to catechists, they aim to make church life more inclusive. This initiative ensures that Deaf individuals can participate fully in the Church and learn about Jesus through a language they understand. The ministry highlights the need for ongoing patience and collaboration between Deaf and hearing believers.
The Thailand Moral Center held its 2025 awards ceremony on August 28 at the Thailand Cultural Center in Bangkok. The event celebrated 15 years of promoting civic virtue by honoring 109 recipients across media, individual, and community categories. Key figures including Privy Councillor Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukphasuk and Minister of Culture Sabida Thaiseth presented the honors. Bishop Joseph Chusak Sirisuth of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Thailand was among the notable individual honorees. Organizers stated the awards aim to inspire broader social development and integrate moral values into daily life across Thailand.
Pope Leo XIV urged the immediate release of hostages following a massacre in a Haitian town during his Sunday Angelus address. He also addressed devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet, where over 700 people have died and thousands remain missing. The Vatican announced financial assistance sent to Caritas Nepal to support urgent relief efforts, including food and shelter. Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin signed a telegram expressing sorrow for the loss of life. The Pope further encouraged prayers for peace and highlighted the upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
Devastating floods triggered by a glacial collapse along the Nepal-Tibet border have killed at least 165 people and left over 1,000 missing. The disaster swept through villages and transport routes in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river valleys. Father Silas Krishna Bogati of the Catholic Church stated that the Church is assessing relief needs alongside Caritas. He noted that roads and bridges were destroyed, stranding some clergy. Authorities warn a second flood is possible due to upstream blockages. The event, initially mistaken for an earthquake, wiped out entire communities and disrupted major pilgrimage routes to Mount Kailash.
Caritas Ubon Ratchathani Diocese and the Sisters of the Lovers of the Cross are assisting communities along the Thai-Cambodian border to repair homes and rebuild livelihoods following recent clashes. Led by Boonnitthi Namboon, a delegation visited Nam Yuen district on August 25 to distribute funds for housing repairs and initial capital for livelihood projects, supported by Caritas Korea. The aid includes food supplies and catfish fingerlings for families with fishponds. While 82 houses in the Thai district were damaged, thousands of displaced families on the Cambodian side remain unable to return to their villages due to ongoing safety concerns and military presence as of mid-2026.
The MataHati Eye Health Care Movement is expanding its free cataract surgery program from Belitung Island to East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Following a recent mission on Belitung Island that screened 54 patients, the initiative aims to restore sight to hundreds more. The campaign commemorates the 101st birth anniversary of Pandji Wisaksana through humanitarian work. Organizers plan to perform surgeries on 300 eyes in Soe and Sabu Raijua, in cooperation with the Indonesian Ophthalmologists Association. The group says the effort targets underserved communities with limited access to specialized eye care, helping patients regain independence and return to daily activities. (LiCAS News)
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