The Voice of the suffering in Asia

The Catholic Church in Nepal has mobilized to support the victims of the devastating floods that struck the Himalayan country on August 26, sweeping away entire villages and leaving thousands dead or missing. “In some places along the Bhote Koshi River, entire villages have been wiped out. Many houses along the river were swept away. So far, 624 people have been confirmed dead, and 2,400 are still missing,” Father Silas Bogati, Apostolic Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal, told ...

The Catholic Church is at the forefront of efforts to help victims of the earthquake that struck one of the most densely Christian islands of Indonesia. The Indonesian island of Flores was recently struck by a severe earthquake that registered at 7.7 on the Richter scale. The August 15 earthquake caused at least 70 deaths, injured over 1,000 people, and left tens of thousands displaced. “Although Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world in demographic terms, the island ...

The Church’s vast charitable work in India could be at risk if lawmakers tighten the already restrictive law on foreign funding of NGOs. Christians all over India are preparing for a day of prayer on Sunday, June 28, due to their concern over proposed legislation that could have a negative impact on the Church’s mission. The Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill 2026 is set to be discussed during the next session of the federal parliament. It includes proposed ...

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the Myanmar earthquake, which struck on March 28, 2025, Archbishop Marco Tin Win of Mandalay — one of the most affected areas —has, in a letter to the benefactors of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), recalled the suffering endured by his people and expressed gratitude for the help received. “In recent years, the people of Myanmar have endured a series of crises: the COVID-19 pandemic; political upheaval, conflict, and displacement; ...

The Christian community has refused the official account that Marqas Masih committed suicide, and claim instead that he was murdered. Two men have been arrested. Church leaders are demanding justice after a Christian laborer in Pakistan was found hanged at a farm outbuilding, amid growing suspicions that he was tortured to death. The body of Catholic man Marqas Masih, 22, was reportedly discovered at the farm outside the city of Sargodha, in Punjab. Marqas Masih‘s family say the farm owner ...

The legal outcome shows a “positive and rare” development, since local courts are often reluctant to acquit those accused of blasphemy, due to social pressure. Two Christian nurses in Pakistan have been acquitted of blasphemy in a landmark court ruling, which brings an end to an ordeal of more than four and a half years. Mariam Lal and Newosh Arooj’s legal defense was conducted by the National (Catholic) Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), which is supported by Aid to ...