UCA News Summary for First Week of May 2020

Listen to news from around the Asia in a capsule under 10 minutes. You have everything that you need to know right here.

The fast-decreasing space for religious freedom in Asia marked most stories this week, a fact highlighted by the annual report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Four Asian nations--India, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia—were downgraded to the lowest category of "countries of particular concern" because of their increased attack on religious freedom. Giving credence to the report, China continued its religious oppression. Some Catholics suspect the communist regime is using the pandemic as a cover to suppress religion because it comes amid administrative claims of dissipating Covid-19. The outbreak of Covid-19 seems to be under control in at least in two Asian nations—South Korea and Vietnam, where Catholic dioceses have started public services with restrictions. But the situation is bad in Indonesia’s Jakarta. The Archdiocese of Jakarta has decided to extend its Covid-19 emergency period to May 31. In India, as the pandemic situation worsens, the government is set to extend its lockdown. The 40-day lockdown was to end on May 3, but several states have asked to extend it as they continue to record increasing cases.

Presented by John Laurenson and produced by Binu Alex

For news in and about the Church in Asia, visit www.ucanews.com