Asia: Difference between revisions

'''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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asia |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/asia/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> 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 the [[Philippines]], [[East Timor]], and [[South Korea]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=2011-12-19 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> 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.

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asia |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/continents/asia/ |publisher=CIA World Factbook |date=2024-12-01 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> Its diverse climates range from Siberian tundra to Southeast Asian tropics, supporting varied economies like agriculture in India and technology in Japan. Major cities such as [[Manila]], [[Seoul]], and [[Mumbai]] host significant Catholic communities. 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pilgrimage Sites |url=https://aci.archchicago.org/pilgrimage/pilgrimage-sites |publisher=Asian Catholic Initiative |date=2023-01-15 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church in Asia |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/scas.html |publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |date=2025-01-10 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> 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), and martyrdoms in Japan during the 17th century. The 20th century saw growth in South Korea and challenges in communist states like China. Today, the Church operates 1,076 dioceses across Asia, led by national episcopal conferences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Asia |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/as.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>

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%), and South Korea (5.8 million, 11%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/ |publisher=Pew Research Center |date=2011-12-19 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Church in Asia |url=https://www.catholicsandcultures.org/asia |publisher=Catholics & Cultures |date=2023-06-10 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Catholic Encyclopedia |author=Herbermann, Charles G. |publisher=Robert Appleton Company |year=1913 |url=https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/ |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of the Catholic Church in Asia |url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/country/scas.html |publisher=Catholic-Hierarchy.org |date=2025-01-10 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>

Key Catholic events in Asia include the establishment of the [[Archdiocese of Goa]] in 1534, a hub for missionary activity, and the [[Archdiocese of Manila]] in 1579, solidifying Spanish influence.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Catholic Dioceses in Asia |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/continent/as.htm |publisher=GCatholic.org |date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vatican News: Asia |url=https://www.vaticannews.va/en/asia.html |publisher=Vatican News |date=2024-11-15 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>

== Notable Catholic Sites ==

Major pilgrimage sites include the [[National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help]] in Manila, Philippines, drawing millions annually, and the [[Basilica of Our Lady of Sheshan]] in Shanghai, China, a key Marian shrine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pilgrimage Sites |url=https://aci.archchicago.org/pilgrimage/pilgrimage-sites |publisher=Asian Catholic Initiative |date=2023-01-15 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> The [[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 include the [[Basilica of Bom Jesus]] in Goa, India, housing relics of [[Saint Francis Xavier]], built in 1605.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Basilica of Bom Jesus |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Bom_Jesus |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2024-10-20 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> The [[Seoul Cathedral]] (Myeongdong Cathedral) in South Korea, established in 1898, is a symbol of Korean Catholicism. In Vietnam, the [[Notre-Dame Basilica of Saigon]], built by French missionaries in 1880, remains a landmark.

== Saints and Blesseds ==

Asia’s patron saints include [[Saint Francis Xavier]], patron of missionaries in India and Japan, and [[Saint Andrew Kim Taegon]], patron of Korea, canonized in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Saints from Asia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_from_Asia |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2024-09-10 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> The Philippines venerates [[Saint Lorenzo Ruiz]], the first Filipino saint, canonized in 1987.

Associated figures include [[Saint Thomas the Apostle]], who evangelized India, and [[Saint Joseph Vaz]], a 17th-century missionary in Sri Lanka, canonized in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Saints from Asia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_saints_from_Asia |publisher=Wikipedia |date=2024-09-10 |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref> Blessed figures like [[Blessed Mother Teresa]] of India, canonized in 2016, and the 117 Vietnamese Martyrs, canonized in 1988, highlight Asia’s diverse Catholic heritage. Their contributions range from missionary work to social service.