Hanoi, Jan 31, 2019: In the dead of night in a Hanoi cemetery, Nguyen Van Thang’s casket is unearthed; his bones carefully cleaned, wrapped in silk and then reburied, so he can finally segue into the next life. The ceremony is one of Vietnam’s most sacred death rituals, an ancientContinue Reading
Vatican, Jan. 31, 2019: When Pope Francis becomes the first pope to visit the Arabian peninsula on Sunday, he takes another important step in his efforts to build bridges with Islam and confirms inter-religious dialogue as a keystone of his papacy. In the long, complicated and often bloody history ofContinue Reading
The planned appearance of Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi is huge news. More than 140,000 people are expected to make the trip to Zayed Sports City on Tuesday, February 5 for a papal mass with the head of the Catholic church. Now, the UAE government has announced that private sectorContinue Reading
By Matters India Reporter Manila, Jan. 29, 2019: The Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) has condemned the bomb blasts in a Philippines church that killed more than 20 people and wounded 100. The bomb blasts took place on January 27 at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in BarangayContinue Reading
Sandino, Cuba : Parishioners wiped away tears and gave thanks to God as the first Roman Catholic church built since the 1959 Cuban revolution opened its doors on Saturday. “To see this finished is like coming out of the night into the day,” said Rev. Cirilo Castro, the Cuban priestContinue Reading
By Matters India reporter Yangon, Jan. 27, 2019: Cardinal Charles Bo, president of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences on January 27 condemned two blasts that killed at least 20 people in a Philippines cathedral earlier in the day. “I strongly condemn this dastardly act in which brothers killed brothersContinue Reading
PANAMA CITY, Jan 26: Thousands of World Youth Day pilgrims stopped by the Jama Mosque Jan. 24 en route to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis. “Brothers, sisters, you need water,” Hashim Bhana yelled at them from under a tent that announced a “hydration center” outside the mosque, a placeContinue Reading
By Matters India Reporter Phnom Penh, January 21, 2019: Christian leaders have urged Cambodian government to guarantee for protecting the rights of religious minorities in Cambodia. A three-member delegation composed of three Officers of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), an ecumenical body, met with the officials of the MinistryContinue Reading
Matters India reporter Kolkata, Jan. 23, 2019: Pope Francis on December 11 appointed Bangladeshi Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario as his envoy to the special celebration of the 27th World Day of the Sick to be celebrated in Kolkata, 9-11 February, 2019. The last time the celebration held in India was atContinue Reading
Sagaing, Myanmar, Jan 23, 2019: Women’s voices is required to create lasting peace. Whether it is conflict prevention and conflict resolution or reconciliation, women’s meaningful participation in peace processes is definite. Naga Women have always played a role in upholding peace in the community. Taking the mission of unity andContinue Reading
