Asia
Asia is the largest and most populous continent, spanning approximately 44.58 million km² and home to over 4.7 billion people as of 2023, representing about 60% of the global population.[1] Stretching from the Middle East to the Pacific, it encompasses diverse cultures, economies, and religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.
The Catholic Church, with approximately 140 million adherents (about 3% of Asia’s population), is a minority faith but significant in countries like:
Introduced in the 1st century AD, Catholicism has shaped regional cultures through saints, shrines, and missionary work, despite challenges from secularism and other dominant religions.
Countries
| country name | population | catholic population | catholic percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 43,000,000 | 200 | 0.001 |
| Bahrain | 1,600,000 | 80,000 | 5.0 |
| Bangladesh | 173,000,000 | 400,000 | 0.23 |
| Bhutan | 800,000 | 1,000 | 0.125 |
| Brunei | 460,000 | 8,000 | 1.7 |
| Byzantine Empire | 17,000,000 | 500,000 | 3.0 |
| Cambodia | 17,000,000 | 20,000 | 0.12 |
| China | 1,410,000,000 | 12,000,000 | 0.85 |
| East Timor | 1,400,000 | 1,300,000 | 96.0 |
| Georgia | 3,700,000 | 19,000 | 0.5 |
| Georgia | 3,700,000 | 19,000 | 0.5 |
| India | 1,450,000,000 | 20,000,000 | 1.38 |
| Indonesia | 280,700,000 | 8,400,000 | 3.0 |
| Iran | 87,000,000 | 20,000 | 0.02 |
| Iraq | 44,000,000 | 300,000 | 0.7 |
| Israel | 9,600,000 | 180,000 | 1.9 |
| Japan | 123,500,000 | 509,000 | 0.4 |
| Jordan | 10,300,000 | 50,000 | 0.5 |
| Kazakhstan | 20,000,000 | 140,000 | 0.7 |
| Kuwait | 4,300,000 | 350,000 | 8.0 |
| Kyrgyzstan | 7,100,000 | 500 | 0.007 |
| Laos | 7,700,000 | 100,000 | 1.3 |
| Lebanon | 5,300,000 | 1,900,000 | 36.0 |
| Malaysia | 33,900,000 | 1,200,000 | 3.5 |
| Maldives | 521,000 | 100 | 0.02 |
| Mongolia | 3,500,000 | 1,500 | 0.04 |
| Myanmar | 55,700,000 | 700,000 | 1.29 |
| Nepal | 31,000,000 | 8,000 | 0.026 |
| North Korea | 26,000,000 | 800 | 0.01 |
| Oman | 4,700,000 | 50,000 | 1.1 |
| Ottoman Empire | 35,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 3.0 |
| Pakistan | 247,700,000 | 1,200,000 | 0.48 |
| Philippines | 113,900,000 | 91,100,000 | 80.0 |
| Qatar | 2,700,000 | 350,000 | 13.0 |
| Republic of Armenia | 3,000,000 | 15,000 | 0.5 |
| Republic of Azerbaijan | 10,400,000 | 570 | 0.005 |
| Republic of Türkiye | 83,000,000 | 30,000 | 0.04 |
| Roman Empire | 70,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 14.0 |
| Russia | 146,000,000 | 700,000 | 0.5 |
| Saudi Arabia | 35,900,000 | 1,500,000 | 4.0 |
| Singapore | 5,900,000 | 200,000 | 3.4 |
| South Korea | 51,700,000 | 5,900,000 | 11.3 |
| Sri Lanka | 22,200,000 | 1,400,000 | 6.2 |
| Syria | 23,000,000 | 400,000 | 1.7 |
| Taiwan | 23,600,000 | 300,000 | 1.3 |
| Tajikistan | 10,300,000 | 150 | 0.0015 |
| Thailand | 70,100,000 | 388,468 | 0.58 |
| Timor-Leste | 1,300,000 | 1,260,000 | 97.0 |
| Turkmenistan | 6,700,000 | 1,000 | 0.01 |
| Union of Soviet Socialist Republics | 290,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 3.5 |
| United Arab Emirates | 9,500,000 | 950,000 | 10.0 |
| Uzbekistan | 37,000,000 | 3,000 | 0.008 |
| Vietnam | 103,000,000 | 7,000,000 | 6.8 |
| Yemen | 34,400,000 | 1,000 | 0.01 |
Geography
Asia covers 44.58 million km², bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Indian Ocean to the south, and Europe and Africa to the west.[3] Its diverse climates range from Siberian tundra to Southeast Asian tropics, supporting varied economies like agriculture in India and technology in Japan.
Major cities host significant Catholic communities such as
Geography facilitates Catholic pilgrimages, with routes connecting sites like the Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan in China and the Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument in Japan.[4] Mountainous and coastal regions often house historic churches, integrating Catholicism into Asia’s varied landscapes.
Catholic history
Catholicism in Asia began in the 1st century AD, traditionally through Saint Thomas the Apostle in India, and expanded via missionaries like the Jesuits in the 16th century.[5]
- The Church grew in the Philippines under Spanish rule, becoming the majority religion, while remaining a minority elsewhere due to dominant faiths like Buddhism and Islam.
- Key events include the
- Establishment of dioceses in Goa (1534) and Manila (1579)
- Martyrdoms in Japan during the 17th century
- The 20th century saw growth in South Korea and challenges in communist states like China. \
The Church operates 1,076 dioceses across Asia, led by national episcopal conferences.[6]
Demographics
Asia’s population exceeds 4.7 billion, with Catholics numbering approximately 140 million (3%), concentrated in
- the Philippines (81 million, 86% of its population)
- East Timor (97%)
- South Korea (5.8 million, 11%)[7]
Ethnic diversity includes Filipinos, Koreans, and Indians, with Catholicism often stronger among urban and younger populations. In countries like India and Indonesia, Catholics are a small minority (1–2%) amid Hindu and Muslim majorities. Secularization and interreligious tensions pose challenges, but Catholic communities remain vibrant in education and charity.[8]
Introduction of Catholicism
Catholicism was introduced to Asia in the 1st century AD, traditionally by Saint Thomas the Apostle, who preached in India, establishing Christian communities along the Malabar Coast.[9]
- Missionaries, including Saint Francis Xavier in the 16th century, spread the faith to Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, often under colonial patronage.
- The Jesuits established missions in India and China, adapting to local cultures.
- By the 19th century, Catholicism had rooted in the Philippines and Vietnam, despite persecution in countries like Japan and Korea.[10]
Key historical events
Key Catholic events in Asia include the establishment of the
- Archdiocese of Goa in 1534, a hub for missionary activity
- Archdiocese of Manila in 1579, solidifying Spanish influence.[11]
The martyrdom of the Twenty-Six Martyrs of Japan in 1597 marked persecution in Japan, while the 19th-century Korean martyrs, including Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, spurred growth in Korea.
The 1986 papal visit by Pope John Paul II to South Korea boosted Catholic visibility.
Recent events include the 2015 canonization of Indian saints and ongoing Church growth in Vietnam despite restrictions.[12]
Catholicism Status
Catholicism is a minority religion in Asia (3%), dominant only in the Philippines and East Timor, while facing challenges as a minority in countries like China and India.[13] In communist states like China, the Church navigates government oversight, while in India, it faces occasional Hindu nationalist opposition. Despite this, Catholicism holds cultural influence through education and charity, with organizations like Caritas active across the continent. Legal status varies, from state recognition in the Philippines to restrictions in North Korea.[14]
Notable Catholic sites
Pilgrimage sites
Major pilgrimage sites include the
- National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Manila, Philippines, drawing millions annually
- Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan in Shanghai, China, a key Marian shrine[15]
- Twenty-Six Martyrs Museum and Monument in Nagasaki, Japan, honors early martyrs and attracts global pilgrims
- In India, the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni is a focal point for devotion
Historical Churches
Historical churches include the
- Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, India, housing relics of Saint Francis Xavier, built in 1605[16]
- Seoul Cathedral (Myeongdong Cathedral) in South Korea, established in 1898, is a symbol of Korean Catholicism
- Notre-Dame Basilica of Saigon, built by French missionaries in 1880 in Vietnam, remains a landmark
Saints and blesseds
Patron saints
Asia’s patron saints include:
- Saint Francis Xavier, patron of missionaries in India and Japan,
- Saint Andrew Kim Taegon, patron of Korea, canonized in 1984[17]
- Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, canonized in 1987
Associated saints and blesseds
Associated figures include:
- Saint Thomas the Apostle, who evangelized India
- Saint Joseph Vaz, a 17th-century missionary in Sri Lanka, canonized in 2015[18]
- Blessed figures like Blessed Mother Teresa of India, canonized in 2016
- 117 Vietnamese Martyrs, canonized in 1988
They highlight Asia’s diverse Catholic heritage. Their contributions range from missionary work to social service.
See Also
- Catholic Church
- List of saints from Asia
- Asia
- Africa
- North America
- South America
- Antarctica
- Europe
- Australia and Oceania
References
- ↑ "Asia". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/asia/.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Asia". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/asia/.
- ↑ "Pilgrimage Sites". Asian Catholic Initiative. 2023-01-15. https://aci.archchicago.org/pilgrimage/pilgrimage-sites.
- ↑ "Catholic Church in Asia". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-01-10. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/scas.html.
- ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Asia". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/as.htm.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Catholic Church in Asia". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/asia.
- ↑ Herbermann, Charles G. (1913). The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/.
- ↑ "History of the Catholic Church in Asia". Catholic-Hierarchy.org. 2025-01-10. http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/scas.html.
- ↑ "Catholic Dioceses in Asia". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/as.htm.
- ↑ "Vatican News: Asia". Vatican News. 2024-11-15. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/asia.html.
- ↑ "Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population". Pew Research Center. 2011-12-19. https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/.
- ↑ "Catholic Church in Asia". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/asia.
- ↑ "Pilgrimage Sites". Asian Catholic Initiative. 2023-01-15. https://aci.archchicago.org/pilgrimage/pilgrimage-sites.
- ↑ "Basilica of Bom Jesus". Wikipedia. 2024-10-20. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Bom_Jesus.
- ↑ "List of Saints from Asia". Wikipedia. 2024-09-10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_from_Asia.
- ↑ "List of Saints from Asia". Wikipedia. 2024-09-10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_from_Asia.
External Links
- "Asia". CIA World Factbook. 2024-12-01. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/asia/.
- "Catholic Dioceses in Asia". GCatholic.org. 2025-01-22. http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/as.htm.
- "Catholic Church in Asia". Catholics & Cultures. 2023-06-10. https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/asia.