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China church fails to follow population growth: Statistics

The largest survey ever conducted of the Catholic Church in mainland China has indicated that the Catholic population has not kept pace with overall population growth.

Indian politician attacks priest, surrenders

An Indian politician, who along with his bodyguards severely beat up a priest in Jalandhar diocese, has surrendered to police.

‘Live Gospel in solidarity’: Hanoi official advises

On a Christmas visit to the seminary in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi City People’s Committee vice-chairman, Dao Van Binh, wished Catholics a merry and peaceful Christmas, saying that he hopes they will continue living the Gospel in solidarity with the nation while serving God.

Korean Church backs Milingo dismissal

The Korean Catholic Church has backed the Vatican’s decision to dismiss excommunicated Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo from the priesthood.

‘Venerable’ title honors Pius’ ‘virtue’ not his ‘choices’

Responding to concerns from the Jewish community, Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said in a note on Wednesday that the “venerable” title for Pope Pius XII did not derive from his “operative choices” but from his deep piety and “witness of Christian life”.

Thomas Merton affair book stirs critics

A new biography of American Benedictine Thomas Merton, who died in a freak accident near Bangkok in 1968, has raised controversy among scholars with its disclosure of the name of a young woman with whom the monk fell in love.

Tsunami response was a learning experience for Thai Church

The devastation caused by the Dec 26, 2004 tsunami helped the Thai Church leaders learn how to collaborate on a vast scale with secular bodies and coordinate relief work among its own organizations. (UCA News)

Persecuted in prayer, in China

It has been six weeks since worshippers at Beijing’s Shouwang House Church were abruptly shunted out of their long-time home in a nondescript low-rise building. (Michael Sainsbury, The Australian)

Pontifical Mission Societies

The Pontifical Mission Societies consist of the Society for the Propogation of the Faith, the Holy Child Association, the Society of St Peter Apostle and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious.